The Squad planning thread

[nellyonthewing]

Txiki has short changed us in recent windows. Some very poor acquisitions, a reliance on academy players that are not of the calibre we need, selling some of the better ones, letting players go for the money .

 

[King Jay]

Reijnders, Livramento, Wirtz. That’s where it all starts. Honestly IF Grealish leaves I’d say Kvata but he would cost 150M too at this point. Txiki had weak windows. Need 6-7 players if we are being real but that’s not possible in one window.

 

[The Stockport Iniesta]

Bringing Gundogan back perhaps doesn't look like the best move so far but if we didn't bring him back who would have taken his minutes?

It didn't seem as though we were going to sign another midfielder but Gundogan was an opportunity that presented itself. This along with no Rodri back up, and no Haaland back up does seem like an act of self sabotage.

I'm sure there are reasons for this, maybe next summer there will be an entirely clean slate on the football management side of the club. It might be to do with the charges. Two reasons for keeping our powder dry.

We can't fuck about over the next few windows though given we have a big rebuild to undertake.

 

[Gabriel]

If Guardiola intends on staying, he either needs to return to his principles and be given more players who are technically excellent and just don’t give the ball away, or he needs to move completely in the direction we appear to be headed and be given more players who are risk takers but who are young enough and mobile enough to play the full pitch.

 

[RayCTID]

Not going to happen overnight. It'll take a couple of summers to rebuild.

 

[madloaf]

If Guardiola intends on staying, he either needs to return to his principles and be given more players who are technically excellent and just don’t give the ball away, or he needs to move completely in the direction we appear to be headed and be given more players who are risk takers but who are young enough and mobile enough to play the full pitch.

We are 100% not going the direction of risk takers. We are the most risk averse team in the premier league. We literally take no risks.

 

[The Stockport Iniesta]

We are 100% not going the direction of risk takers. We are the most risk averse team in the premier league. We literally take no risks.

We take more risks in our final third than the attacking final third.

 

[It'sBlue93:20]

1-Reijnders can cover two positions, playing as a CM and DM. Price: £30M-£40M max.
2-Van De Ven can play as a CB and RB, replacing Walker's pace. Price: £70M, given that Levy is hard to negotiate with.
3-Marmoush is a complete forward—he can play as an LW, False 9, second striker, backup striker, and RW if needed. He adds goals and assists, which we desperately need. Price: £42M-£51M.

Looking at high-profile players:

• Wirtz: CAM, RW, LW
• Musiala: CAM, LW
• Rodrygo: CF, LW
• Kvara: CAM, LW

Getting the first three and one from the high-profile list would make us incredibly strong and cover all key positions. Ake, Gvardiol, and Akanji can hold down that LB spot.

£250M would indeed be a solid budget to secure these signings, especially if negotiations go smoothly and we avoid premium markups. With strategic negotiation, this budget could cover Reijnders, Van De Ven, Marmoush, and one high-profile addition. It would provide depth, versatility, and strong options across the pitch.

With the way we are playing the now. Micky Van De Ven is the guy we need.

 

[RayCTID]

van De Ven is currently injured and isn't the answer either for the medium to long term.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Txiki has short changed us in recent windows. Some very poor acquisitions, a reliance on academy players that are not of the calibre we need, selling some of the better ones, letting players go for the money .

Like who? Foden who was player of the season or Lewis, who has been excellent most of the time.

We’ve got rid of most of our academy players. A lot of them I’d argue would improve our side - Rogers, palmer and lavia for example.

 

[Delphinho]

Gonna take more than 2 summers to rebuild the squad. In 2 years I think Walker, Gundogan, Kovacic, Bernardo, De Bruyne and at least one of Ederson/Ortega is gone.

Big question marks on Grealish, McAtee and Nunes. Maybe even Stones/Ake

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

Gonna take more than 2 summers to rebuild the squad. In 2 years I think Walker, Gundogan, Kovacic, Bernardo, De Bruyne and at least one of Ederson/Ortega is gone.

Big question marks on Grealish, McAtee and Nunes. Maybe even Stones/Ake

do Walker in jan, get ahead of the game lol

 

[Delphinho]

do Walker in jan, get ahead of the game lol

Kicking out your captain mid season? That’s deffo not happening. Most players look shite atm, give it a couple weeks and he’ll be decent again. Played okay in the first half. Only business I could see in January is exercising Zubimendis release clause. Don’t think clubs will let their players leave mid season unless it’s for an incredible premium which I doubt we’d pay anyways

 

[ProofMCFC]

Gone from wingers who get you 60/70 goals and assists to wingers who if you’re lucky will get us 15. What have we done.

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

Kicking out your captain mid season? That’s deffo not happening. Most players look shite atm, give it a couple weeks and he’ll be decent again. Played okay in the first half. Only business I could see in January is exercising Zubimendis release clause. Don’t think clubs will let their players leave mid season unless it’s for an incredible premium which I doubt we’d pay anyways

Don’t need to sell just grab one anyway, I’m expecting nothing in jan tbh.

 

[K-Bo]

feels like the club chose the net spend trophy over the premier league trophy by not triggering bruno G's release clause. would love to see the minutes from that meeting.

 

[fuskarn]

heres a good thread on City's recent spending

 

[01cravend]

We need a rapid fullback to replace what we've lost with Walkers legs going going.... He was the sole reason we didn't concede these breakaway goals all the time.


Need some legs, defensive ability and creativity in midfield..

Need a striker to give Haaland a rest and also to play as a 2 from time to time(when needing goals, throwing kitchen sink ect). Haaland scoring goal a game for Norway in a 2, it doesn't negatively affect his game.
Also we don't have anyone that's good as false 9 as we've ran Bernie into the ground and Phil just isnt good there.

Also if we could, some goals and/or assists from wide would be nice

 

[117 M34]

We need to be looking to replace the older players in the squad (4th oldest in the league) and those that can't be relied on to stay fit.
Let de bruyne go and replace with wirtz.
Sell stones and replace with van der ven or konsa.
Walker and gundo to be released and replaced with a quick full back and someone who can deputise for rodri when required.
+ a back up striker

 

[Gabriel]

We are 100% not going the direction of risk takers. We are the most risk averse team in the premier league. We literally take no risks.

By risk I meant players attempting to dribble and losing possession, rather than passing and recycling the ball. We played well in the first half yesterday, but save for a couple of hopeful long balls over the top, we regularly lost possession when players were either attempting dribbles into traffic or when they simply miscontrolled the ball. As the players tire in second halves we struggle to retain possession even more.