Laporte says goodbye

[BlueMoonRisin’]

He's been a good player for us but I'm not sorry to see him go. Him whining to Pep about not playing regularly enough(threatening to leave)forced Pep's hand and consequently split our(then) best CB pairing up, Dias and Stones. He'll get regular playing time wherever he goes next but i doubt he'll miss City as he'll be too busy counting his cash.

 

[ONTHERUNWITHTHAKSIN]

 

[Akira]

Thank you Eric. Classy bloke.

Won't ever forget that period of time when we were crying for his return from injury. He was so important to us then.

 

[I'm Blue]

All the best Eric.
Thanks for the memories

 

[its a Barm]

Great player and great guy will miss him, but time for him to move on, wish him and his family all the best.

 

[Akira]

He's had a weird career really. He's always been there or thereabouts one of the best CBs in Europe but has never fully cemented his place with us or France, and when I thought he'd have 10 clubs knocking our door down for him no one turned up. I honestly don't think I can put my finger on why that is the case.

The French team one was bizarre. But I'm glad he's happy with the Spanish team who truly appreciates his style of football, it made perfect sense.

I think his injury record and lack of playing time contributed to the reason no one came flying at our doorstep for him. The footballing world moves on pretty quickly, I guess. I also wonder if we were reluctant to sell to a PL club.

 

[David Silva]

Top man, shame his career with us fizzled out a bit last season but let’s not forget the good times.

Laporte was just about the best CB in the league in our domestic treble win, and he put his body on the line to help drag us to that title win in 2022 with a destroyed knee. Who knows what impact that has had on him long term?

Thank you Eric & good luck.

 

[BlueRockape]

We have lost a worrier.
Good luck Blue

 

[Metal Biker]

He leaves with two Treble accolades and multiple league title medals.

How many players can look back on their career and say that?

Thanks for everything Aymeric.

 

[HoneyMonster89]

Strange end to his City career. He had some very good times. In and out of the team over the years.

Aké and Akanji's extra athleticism have served the team better in the current climate. Laporte is still a fine technician.

He would have been perfect for Barcelona.

 

[the blue panther]

We have lost a warrior.
Good luck Blue

Top man who always put in a shift when his chances came. Sad to lose him.
That "Goodbye" almost brought a tear to my eye.

 

[philiph20]

An excellent player who always gave his all, good luck to him, the fee received leaves a lot to be desired and the Saudi's have got a bargain.

 

[Kippax77]

Bet he's buzzing.
A new venture, earning lots of dosh and a massive Asda bag full of winner's medals to take with him.
And on top of all this his name will always be associated as a treble winner.

Don't think he'll be to down about this move

 

[Tolmie scores]

An excellent player who always gave his all, good luck to him, the fee received leaves a lot to be desired and the Saudi's have got a bargain.

As per fkin usual! We do sell well...sometimes! But for FFP this needs to be rinsed, watch the fee for a Newcastle player to the Saudis.....longstaff...£150m. Whereas a rival teams fee. Hmmm

 

[philiph20]

As per fkin usual! We do sell well...sometimes! But for FFP this needs to be rinsed, watch the fee for a Newcastle player to the Saudis.....longstaff...£150m. Whereas a rival teams fee. Hmmm

We do generally sell better than we used to do but this fee is a real throwback to the bad old days, some you win some you lose.

 

[BedsBlue68]

We do generally sell better than we used to do but this fee is a real throwback to the bad old days, some you win some you lose.

Amazed no one else came in at that price - just shows no real logic to the transfer market at the moment

 

[Brightwell Bros.]

The French team one was bizarre. But I'm glad he's happy with the Spanish team who truly appreciates his style of football, it made perfect sense.

I think his injury record and lack of playing time contributed to the reason no one came flying at our doorstep for him. The footballing world moves on pretty quickly, I guess. I also wonder if we were reluctant to sell to a PL club.

Agreed. I think he's just been a bit unlucky with both club and national sides. Got frozen out France when they were coming into ascendency and Spain were on the way down, got himself fit at City as Pep was moving to a back three.

I have always wondered if him and Sterling took the full brunt of Pep's anger at that Lyon QF defeat. Those two in particular never seemed to be 100% trusted ever again.

 

[Chippy_boy]

Bet he's buzzing.
A new venture, earning lots of dosh and a massive Asda bag full of winner's medals to take with him.
And on top of all this his name will always be associated as a treble winner.

Don't think he'll be to down about this move

He does have to live in Saudi Arabia mate. I wouldn't even visit there if you paid me what he's earning.

 

[brazilians hurt]

He does have to live in Saudi Arabia mate. I wouldn't even visit there if you paid me what he's earning.

Because of lack of chippies?

 

[Kippax77]

He does have to live in Saudi Arabia mate. I wouldn't even visit there if you paid me what he's earning.

Fair do's.
It doesn't seem to put footballers off too much though