19 | Julian Alvarez - 2022/23

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MarsLlama said:
Man, signing Grealish was comfortably the worst decision we've made since the takeover. I have no clue what our (usually excellent) board were thinking. You're right, this would be great, but it would mean Pep admitting that Jack isn't good enough, which we would never allow.
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If Pep thought he was not the answer he would be gone, regardless of transfer cost, remember Eto and Ibra, both moved out at huge cost to Barca.
 
i♥city said:
Like Aguero and Zaba then? Is it just a coincidence or do we actually make an effort to sign the good guy types?
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Most Argies are "good guy" types, the "cunts" are only a few that build the perception for the entire team in the eyes of neutrals. Even then, you would love those "shithousery" few if they played for you, haha.
 
River Plate said:
Most Argies are "good guy" types, the "cunts" are only a few that build the perception for the entire team in the eyes of neutrals. Even then, you would love those "shithousery" few if they played for you, haha.
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Also a bit of a very dated perception that England players are good guys who would never dive or practice the dark arts which is, as we all know, jingoistic bollocks.
 
MarsLlama said:
There were really no long-term consequences for that. We lost money, sure, but on the pitch we just kinda ditched him and moved on. Shoehorning Grealish into the team will hinder us for years.
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He hasn't been on a losing City side this season, so how is shoehorning him into the team hindering us?

I get you don't like him and think he was a waste of money but at least try not to just make shite up.
 
asahartford1 said:
It would depend on him really. With most players I would agree, to play for as long as he has without a break with those energy levels is outstanding.
Perhaps a weekend in Blackpool will do the trick.
He will at most likely be starting one match a week so that will help.
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Nah, we should really push the boat out.

Rhyl it is.
 
Keeper! said:
If Pep thought he was not the answer he would be gone, regardless of transfer cost, remember Eto and Ibra, both moved out at huge cost to Barca.
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I can see that happening with Grealish. Not the same way as the big nosed wanker but I can see him moving at the end of the season. Newcastle would be an excellent move for him.
 
I think a 442/352 transition perfectly suits the squad as it currently is.

It would maximize the use of both our young strikers, let us use Foden in more spots, and limit Cancelo's liability potential.

Best way to do this is make Rodri/Phillips one of the CBs, and play CBs in the fullback position and go 442. For example:

Ake/Laporte
Dias/Stones
Rodri/Phillips
Walker/Akanji

Grealish/Foden
Gundogan/Bernie/Foden
KdB/Bernie
Mahrez/Palmer/Cancelo

Haaland/Alvarez/Foden/Palmer (2 of these)

Pep loves to defend in a 442 when needed but also loves to press in this way, so this is a natural shape for the squad.

The most important part is how the squad progressed from this in possession play and how easy it is, very often, squads tilt asymetrically to the right of left to make a back 3, but there is another way, push a CB forward, in this case if we push Rodri/Phillips in the midfield during possession play we get a 352. And if one of the second strikers drop (Alvarez, Foden or Palmer), there is a very easy 4 man overload in midfield to make.

The choice of the wide players is also interesting, as I think there is a good choice to make depending on the tactical situation:

1) The opposition is sitting back mostly and pinned back, there is very little space behind and intricate passing is needed more.

Then go with Foden and Cancelo outwide (classical wingers) with Haaland and Alvarez up top. There will rarely be space to play between the lines in these situations and we will need to rely on high volume chances being made, it makes sense to have both strikers there and classical wingers for delivery.

2) The opposition is likely to try and play football, transitions are now useful against them, possession based play is required in build up.

In this case we don't go 2 strikers, play Foden/Palmer with Haaland/Alvarez to overload the midfield and give us control.

The wingers could probably be the same, but also the inverted wingers in Grealish/Mahrez/Palmer might be better against teams where space is available, this one is a toss up as I don't think it's clear which option is better on the wings, but the center makes more sense.

I believe this is a strong way to setup tactically and personnel wise.
 
Pedestrian said:
I can see that happening with Grealish. Not the same way as the big nosed wanker but I can see him moving at the end of the season. Newcastle would be an excellent move for him.
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Not sure, we would have to take a massive hit on the fee and Pep still sees enough in him to make him part of this team.
 
WallyA said:
I think a 442/352 transition perfectly suits the squad as it currently is.

It would maximize the use of both our young strikers, let us use Foden in more spots, and limit Cancelo's liability potential.

Best way to do this is make Rodri/Phillips one of the CBs, and play CBs in the fullback position and go 442. For example:

Ake/Laporte
Dias/Stones
Rodri/Phillips
Walker/Akanji

Grealish/Foden
Gundogan/Bernie/Foden
KdB/Bernie
Mahrez/Palmer/Cancelo

Haaland/Alvarez/Foden/Palmer (2 of these)

Pep loves to defend in a 442 when needed but also loves to press in this way, so this is a natural shape for the squad.

The most important part is how the squad progressed from this in possession play and how easy it is, very often, squads tilt asymetrically to the right of left to make a back 3, but there is another way, push a CB forward, in this case if we push Rodri/Phillips in the midfield during possession play we get a 352. And if one of the second strikers drop (Alvarez, Foden or Palmer), there is a very easy 4 man overload in midfield to make.

The choice of the wide players is also interesting, as I think there is a good choice to make depending on the tactical situation:

1) The opposition is sitting back mostly and pinned back, there is very little space behind and intricate passing is needed more.

Then go with Foden and Cancelo outwide (classical wingers) with Haaland and Alvarez up top. There will rarely be space to play between the lines in these situations and we will need to rely on high volume chances being made, it makes sense to have both strikers there and classical wingers for delivery.

2) The opposition is likely to try and play football, transitions are now useful against them, possession based play is required in build up.

In this case we don't go 2 strikers, play Foden/Palmer with Haaland/Alvarez to overload the midfield and give us control.

The wingers could probably be the same, but also the inverted wingers in Grealish/Mahrez/Palmer might be better against teams where space is available, this one is a toss up as I don't think it's clear which option is better on the wings, but the center makes more sense.

I believe this is a strong way to setup tactically and personnel wise.
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Sorry mate, but sounds like you are playing fantasy football..
 
Txiki and the scouting team deserve a lot of praise for the signing of Alvarez. Just read an article from Jason Burt in the Telegraph (unfortunately behind a pay wall) mentioning we had been monitoring Julian's progress in Argentina for some time. The setting up of the City Football Group has helped us improve our scouting network and information gathering in South America. Obviously we have a lot of faith in Julian's ability and partly why we were comfortable in allowing both Sterling and Jesus to leave in the Summer.
 
Withnail said:
Txiki and the scouting team deserve a lot of praise for the signing of Alvarez. Just read an article from Jason Burt in the Telegraph (unfortunately behind a pay wall) mentioning we had been monitoring Julian's progress in Argentina for some time. The setting up of the City Football Group has helped us improve our scouting network and information gathering in South America. Obviously we have a lot of faith in Julian's ability and partly why we were comfortable in allowing both Sterling and Jesus to leave in the Summer.
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Gets a bit lost in the Haaland headlines, but it was a fascinating summer for this. A young big money superstar who you can make your money back on if they do leave, a couple of unpolished potential gems from Europe at a decent price point, a bargain from South America you've been scouting who has the potential to be a club legend and superstar in their own right, and a graduation or two from the academy to the main team with a sink or swim attitude. Proper holistic stuff and a model for going forward. We really do have some of the smartest people in football captaining the ship.
 
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