Full backs / Wing Backs
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Gaz (FMwkdsoul)
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out of contract this summer
Dribble
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In 90% of cases Zinchenko was a perfect LB for us. HOWEVER, the 10% of matches where he was found out, always came in crucial high end matches where his lack of pace & the fact he's not actually a defender were cruelly exposed.
Think the CL semi vs Real where they switched attack in the final 15 minutes & targeted Zin after he replaced Walker & Cancelo moved from LB to RB is a case in point. This was Zin's glass ceiling.
At the very highest level it's small incremental details & a touch of luck which make the difference. However I believe we make our own luck in life, but there's little we could've done about Zin's lack of pace, or his inability to deal with rapid skillful Wingers.
I think Pep realised that Zin, Sterling & Jesus had hit the limits of what they could achieve at City, so to achieve the aim of winning the only title to elude Guardiola, we needed more.
I say this in full knowledge that Guardiola fucked up against Chelsea in the Champions League final, & that defeat was all on him.
Zinchenko, Sterling or Gundog should've never started that game & should've been replaced by Cancelo & Rodri. The only anomaly was who started as striker/false 9? We could have started Gundog & used KDB as a false 9 & used Rodri as our CDM.
We could have used Torres, Jesus or Sterling up front, with Foden LW & a midfield of KDB, Bernardo & Rodri, in fact anything but the lineup we started with!
There were several permutations we could have used, & with the squad available, Zinchenko was never a starter, hence we got rid in the expectation Cucurella would replace him.
Agueroooo9320
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agreed on all you said. zinc, jesus and sterling were below what we need for the first team. we have higher standard than the likes of arsenal and chelsea. this season unfortunately we did not meet those standards yet.
richards30
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Yeah I agree, although the arse have improved, we have been WELL below our usual standards for most of the season unfortunately
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Gaz (FMwkdsoul)
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Valentin Barco.
He looks good I know YouTube videos aren't good to judge a player but he looks very good. Plays like a Dani Alves
shaunsrobot
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I was always a bit relieved to see Zinchenko come on during big games, and I remember thinking he played well during the CL semi vs Real. Then again, I'm on a keyboard, Pep is at the Etihad, and Zinchenko's with the arse, so I'd say you're view is probably more accurate.
Still, if I only get Zinchenko for 90 percent of the games, I'm keeping him.
So we got rid of zinchenko and bought gomez ! Fuck me I bet Real Madrid would have shit the bed knowing that gomez was on .
Dribble
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There's two distinct issues here.
1. The quality of players...
2. Getting individuals to play as a team...
Doubtless we have the player quality, but it's only 5 months ago that many (including myself) were concerned how we'd cope with 5 senior players leaving (Fern, Sterling, Zin, Jesus & Steffen) & trying to gel their replacements into a team structure which can take a season or two to settle into.
I suppose now we're seeing how difficult this can be. We also have decisions to make in the summer regarding the futures of Gundog, Bernardo (AGAIN!) & whether Gomez & Palmer will make the grade at City.
Hypothetically we could be looking at 2 LB's, 2 CM's & 2 Wingers! Added to the players we acquired in the summer, we could essentially have 2 seasons of squad upheaval, & the same in 2024 when KDB & Walker will be well into their 30's...
Imagine trying to sort all that out & remain competitive as all around us invest & improve too?
Dribble
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That's the issue. With the expectations on a team like City, we're geared up to have a squad who can do the 90% & step up to compete at a world class level in the other 10% of games.
If we had a solid reliable LB, I reckon Zin would still be here as a backup & to play in the lower grade matches. He was never good enough to be the No 1 LB at a club challenging on all fronts, hence why we need a complete & utter overhaul at that problem position...
Dribble
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Not quite. There were two issues. We wanted a new No 1 LB (Cucurella) which meant both he & Cancelo would probably be No 1 & 2 for LB. We've got players who're better CM's & LW's than Zin, so I think it was best for City & Zin to part company.
HOWEVER, as we know the Cucurella deal fell apart when Chelsea stepped in, leaving us a LB short as we'd already allowed Zin to leave presumably thinking Cucu was in the bag. Hence we looked at the potential of Gomez & brought him to City instead of allowing him to go to another CFG club, & panic buying an alternative LB.
This season will hopefully confirm to Txiki & Pep that LB is a priority position which needs to be filled. What I also don't want to see is another CB who can play LB.
I want a top class, left footed LB, preferable two. OR if we feel Gomez has sufficient potential, perhaps he could remain as a LB apprentice understudy & learn his trade knowing the pressure to perform at the very highest level is off as he learns his trade.
Legal Alien
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We desperately need a top LB, it's the highest priority signing for me.
I wonder with all the incomings at chelsea if we could get Chilwell in the summer?
I know he's been injured a lot but when he's on form he looks like he'd be perfect for us. If not him, i would try for Robinson at Fulham.
I don't think we need two LB's quite yet. We need to give Gomez time, he's young, new to the league and country and has shown potential. I think he'd be better playing further forward though and like Zinchenko be used at LB if needed.
We also have Wilson-Esbrand to consider also.
FantasyIreland
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Its not a case of piling up on the lad.Peopel are rightly pointing out that a bang average left winger,with very little pedigree,should have been recruited to try and solve our left back position.
We had/have academy products that could do just as good a job,and we sold a lad who was far better.
If people are being a tad harsh,its through frustration and annoyance.....but in fairness,that should be directed at our management.
shaunsrobot
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What about Rico? Teach him to bang in crosses with his left and he'd be a perfect LB.
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Gaz (FMwkdsoul)
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Whos the greek left back at Sassuolo? saw him ranked #1 in players compared to Theo Henandez on fbref
Dribble
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Personally I don't think JWE will make it at City, albeit I'd love him to. Agreed, a world class left footed left back should be our priority, & Gomez should be given another season to settle in & prove his worth.
I'd love Chilwell here, but I doubt Chelsea will sell him (especially to City), plus his injury record is a worry.
I dunno about Robinson. He's a very good player, but is he the top shelf LB City need? I'm not too sure.