Players who might improve us

I do think we are going for the Greek keeper, and i do rate him but he is not the one i would go for, the Valencia goalkeeper is getting a lot of attention, he is good big and young, but Bulka is the one i would go for, he is as good as the Valencia goalkeeper, but better at handling, a lot better, he is if i am correct Association trained as well, coming out of the Chelsea academy, and will cost less than the other two.
 
Do we think the exact same squad as last season without any new signings can the title when we start again? Tbh I don’t think we could as I can’t honestly see the he same Hunger being there .
 
Paul1970 said:
Do we think the exact same squad as last season without any new signings can the title when we start again? Tbh I don’t think we could as I can’t honestly see the he same Hunger being there .
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I don't think it has anything to do with hunger. Our players and manager obviously care about winning, if we don't win 5 on the bounce it's because of quality, not desire. If Txiki makes 2 or 3 key signings like he did last summer with Gvardiol/Doku/Kovacic City will be well positioned to win the PL again.

We absolutely cannot leave Rodri on an island in the midfield again. Need to bring in a midfielder that can do some of the running for him / share some of the burden. Love KDB and he's my all-time favorite City player, but his legs are not what they were several years ago.
 
I think we should sign a RB this summer regardless of what happens with Kyle Walker. With Gomez leaving and Rico being a midfielder we only have 6 defenders for 4 positions. I think it will be either Stones or Gvardiol joining the midfield/wing, which means that we’d need a RB that stays back in possession. My pick would be Geertruida from Feyenoord. Only 23, primarily a RB but has also played CB, LB and DM.

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Statistically quite similar to Kyle, but far more comfortable on the ball. Not as quick as Kyle (not slow by any means either), but his physicality makes up for it. Ranks in the 99th percentile for pass completion % as well. Rock solid defensively, but also picked up 8 goals and 5 assists in the league from his RB position. A young defender that can both defend and attack, which is very rare. Usually it’s one or the other. Best RB in the Dutch division and looks like he could be starting over Dumfries at the Euros. Supposedly available for only €25m as he only has 1 year left on his contract
 
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We have 6 senior defenders for 4 places as it stands, Thoughts? Good player, still young, I wonder how much would Bayern want.
 
Delphinho said:
I think we should sign a RB this summer regardless of what happens with Kyle Walker. With Gomez leaving and Rico being a midfielder we only have 6 defenders for 4 positions. I think it will be either Stones or Gvardiol joining the midfield/wing, which means that we’d need a RB that stays back in possession. My pick would be Geertruida from Feyenoord. Only 23, primarily a RB but has also played CB, LB and DM.

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Statistically quite similar to Kyle, but far more comfortable on the ball. Not as quick as Kyle (not slow by any means either), but his physicality makes up for it. Ranks in the 99th percentile for pass completion % as well. Rock solid defensively, but also picked up 8 goals and 5 assists in the league from his RB position. A young defender that can both defend and attack, which is very rare. Usually it’s one or the other. Best RB in the Dutch division and looks like he could be starting over Dumfries at the Euros. Supposedly available for only €25m as he only has 1 year left on his contract
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I think your analysis is our RB needs are on point. Your suggested player isn't my cup of tea though.

1. I won't say he is more comfortable on the ball than Kyle. On eye test, they seem similarly skilled. I.e. both seem slightly below average for ball technique. Granted he dribbles more.

While his tackle win rates are very high, my sense from watching h suggests that's highly inflated by the level of opposition he is facing...

Also just watching his highlights ( that apparently showcases his best attributes) I see too many times when he is late to react and bails himself out with a slide tackle.

Furthermore, he lunges a lot. Either he is exceptional at timing those lunges, or it will be exposed badly when he faces trickier and faster wingers. My bet is the latter.

As for scoring, I must admit he shows impeccable timing and movement in the offensive 3rd. And his crossing might be his best attribute.: Has a beautiful curling cross. Almost a softer version of Debryune's deadly whipped cross but with less venom and more control. He also has variety in his bag.

Also I love where he often crosses from: About the beginning of the final 3rd. Similar to whee Kev normally puts in his most dangerous 1st time crosses. So that's a good quality.

And like you said, he looks the type who can form part of a back 3 if the Leftback pushes like Josko often does...

Personally, I'd be more interested in an attacking RB. With intent of making Gvardiol the LB/CB who sits back to join the back 3 while the RB attacks the Right flank.

Similar to how we used Kyle in the run-in but hopefully with better production.

But if what we were looking for was pretty much Akanji with better RB skills, which is what Gesreuida is, I'd rather go with Mohammed Simikan. To my eye, he is more athletic, played against higher competition, and shows better defensive awarenesses. But still has that attacking intent.
 
Haaland94 said:


We have 6 senior defenders for 4 places as it stands, Thoughts? Good player, still young, I wonder how much would Bayern want.
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This lad is a high A tier defender entering his prime. Definitely good enough for our team but not sure he is much different to Ruben Dias. If we're in the market for a CB I'd much rather we target someone like Diomande. He looks to be S tier, and will certainly demand lower wages.
RayCTID said:
Better than Branthwaite but no
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Definitely better than Branthwaite. Can't see us going after him. Not a step up on any of our defenders.
FMwkdsoul said:
He's on €15m a year as well.. nightmare to move him i think
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Yeah quite the high salary, but if we signed the lad, I'm not sure we would be trying to move him anytime soon. Salary obviously less of an issue as contract dwindles down.
Haaland94 said:
Uff, hefty. It has United written all over it, then.
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Not sure he'd have any interest in that. Unless he lacks ambition.

Wouldn't want to see him go United from an opposition POV though. He's class. Let them keep spending their P on the overrated Antony's of the world.
 
Dax777 said:
But if what we were looking for was pretty much Akanji with better RB skills, which is what Gesreuida is, I'd rather go with Mohammed Simikan. To my eye, he is more athletic, played against higher competition, and shows better defensive awarenesses. But still has that attacking intent.
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Disagree on some of your opinions on Geertruida, but I do like Simakan. Would be my second choice RB, but feel he is more awkward on the ball and he’s a natural CB not RB, while Geertruida is a specialist RB
 
Delphinho said:
Disagree on some of your opinions on Geertruida, but I do like Simakan. Would be my second choice RB, but feel he is more awkward on the ball and he’s a natural CB not RB, while Geertruida is a specialist RB
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Rensch any good?
 
FMwkdsoul said:
Rensch any good?
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Barely improved at all since he made his debut 3 years ago. Ajax has been shite this season and looks like an absolute mess so it’s hard to make up my mind on him. Geertruida or Simakan could do a job immediately I think, not sure Rensch could do a job even as a backup currently. Would benefit from a move, but City is far too early
 
Delphinho said:
Barely improved at all since he made his debut 3 years ago. Ajax has been shite this season and looks like an absolute mess so it’s hard to make up my mind on him. Geertruida or Simakan could do a job immediately I think, not sure Rensch could do a job even as a backup currently. Would benefit from a move, but City is far too early
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Kayode?
 
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