If we sign Cucurella then we can get by with 3 main cbs & 3 main fbs until after the world cup & assess our options in the January window.I just cannot see Gvardiol, Pau nor Kounde being ok with a 4th choice spot before a World Cup. This oozes a classic City “sell and get a player next summer” - which would be a massive mistake.
Or someone from left field will be linked soon. Losing Ake is kinda hurting.
Spot on.I’m not sure where you’re getting this ‘very clear’ position from. I’ve seen nothing credible to suggest that’s the approach we’re taking.
Ake didn’t get the minutes because he’s Ake - he simply wasn’t as good as the other three when they were available.
We sign a different player - it’s a different situation.
This is an opportunity to strengthen our position at the back, which I’m sure is how City will be viewing it - not to simply recreate the status quo.
I would hope players of the quality and mentality of Kounde and Gvardiol would see this as an incredible opportunity and back themselves to start - not come in accepting being 4th choice.
Pep is convinced we don't need to replace Sterling for the left and Zinchenko should fill the requirement for him and the left back rotation.
Hope the lad trusts Pep :)
We are well covered for all competitions even if Ake does leaveI'm sure that's the club's ambition and what Pep aspires to. To merely cope.
Damn, so we are losing 3 players by the looks of it, our bench could do with a boost only having these senior players left Ortega, Stones, Zinc, Phillips, Greelish, Gundogan, Alvarez. we need another CB with Stone & Laportes injury record and another winger to replace raz
First 11 is looking good though
Ederson
Walker - Dias - Laporte - Cancelo
De Bruyne - Rodrigo - Bernardo
Mahrez - Haaland - Foden
Players still have that difficulty of trying to adjust and with the World Cup being in the middle of the season and with the players ahead of them in our team they would probably not take the risk of uprooting this time around. There is a great chance all our 3 CBs will stay injury free and the new signing would only get the Cup games.I’m not sure where you’re getting this ‘very clear’ position from. I’ve seen nothing credible to suggest that’s the approach we’re taking.
Ake didn’t get the minutes because he’s Ake - he simply wasn’t as good as the other three when they were available.
We sign a different player - it’s a different situation.
This is an opportunity to strengthen our position at the back, which I’m sure is how City will be viewing it - not to simply recreate the status quo.
I would hope players of the quality and mentality of Kounde and Gvardiol would see this as an incredible opportunity and back themselves to start - not come in accepting being 4th choice.
The players aren't willing to take that risk in World Cup year. That is the reason Ake is looking to leave. Chelsea don't have many CBs for this season he will get gamesSpot on.
I'm sick of seeing posts saying he or he won't want to be 4th choice.
Foden if he has any business sense about him. Reveal it with the new contract.
If that was the case Ake would be staying and then there wouldn't be the need to bring in a top class CB. If we did bring one in and then this discussion will come full circle when either Stones, Laporte or Dias (or new signing) would be looking to leaveAny other centre back in Akes position in this squad would be first choice with Dias right now.
Ake has injury issues,but so does Laporte and Stones. To take that partner spot next to Dias all you have to do is stay fit. If Ake could stay fit he would've dislodged Laporte and Stones.
If we go into the season with 3 centre backs you'll see a similar situation to when the dippers beat us to the title. You can't rely on Stones and Laporte to be able to stay fit for an entire season.
Top players should always fancy themselves to get the starting spot.The players aren't willing to take that risk in World Cup year. That is the reason Ake is looking to leave. Chelsea don't have many CBs for this season he will get games
I really don't think that we paid £100m for Pep to use Grealish as a 'second string' player. I would think (barring injury etc) Pep will use him more often in the PL next session than Bernardo.
I also think that Alvarez is likely play a greater part than Mahrez in the PL.
An interesting season ahead for sure!
Last season or next definitely when there isn't a major international taking place where their postiton isn't in the national side isn't in jeopardy. Ake is good enough and like you said Ake should stay and show that he can dislodge the other 3.Top players should always fancy themselves to get the starting spot.
Ake knows he isn't good enough to dislodge the other 3.
Some players should have more bottle.
The players aren't willing to take that risk in World Cup year. That is the reason Ake is looking to leave. Chelsea don't have many CBs for this season he will get games
Pep is convinced we don't need to replace Sterling for the left and Zinchenko should fill the requirement for him and the left back rotation.
Hope the lad trusts Pep :)