It’s Quiet 20 - What is the Wirtz that could happen?

[Mancityphilfo2000]

Horrendous plan if true then.

It's not true the club is better run than that
It will take time getting the right players in.

 

[Kippaxpete]

I’m starting to think the clubs idea is to sign 2 cbs (which then allows akanji to play rb) and Marmoush will then sort the midfield issue.

By signing these it frees up foden (who has been operating from the right), Lewis and Bernardo all to operate centrally alongside one of Gundogan and Kovacic.

I’m not saying it’s a good idea but I believe that is the plan at this point imo

Far be it from me to question Pep (or anyone else for that matter) but would it perhaps be possible to buy, or promote from the Academy, an orthodox full back i.e. a player who is naturally suited to that position. Radical I know but, who knows, it might just work! Joking aside, I absolutely understand that Pep's philosophy is one in which players have to be versatile but, surely, that ability to fill in should be reserved to address short term shortages in personnel due to injury, suspension etc rather than a long term strategy.

 

[blueparrot]

Horrendous plan if true then.

It may not be plan A, but we also need a plan B in the case of a midfieder not being possible. Think myself plan B would be playing 4 centre backs and using 1 ,hopefully Stones, to step into midfield beside Kovacic.

 

[bell_mcfc]

I can see plan b using someone like Akanji or Stones in midfield but that relies on Reis and Khusanov hitting the ground running.

 

[blueparrot]

I can see plan b using someone like Akanji or Stones in midfield but that relies on Reis and Khusanov hitting the ground running.

Yes, I can see 1 ,probably Khusonov as right back, Gvardiol left. Then 2 of Dias, Ake, Akanji, Stones, maybe Reis at centre back with one stepping up besides Kovacic.

 

[Blue2202]

There is no leader at the back there. Dias is the nearest but looks below par when Stones is missing. Stones is our best defender by miles but who knows when/ if he will ever be back? The 2 new centre backs are unlikely to be ready this season or maybe even next.
The reason we are targeted down our flanks is the lack of functional fullbacks. I think there is a player in Gvaudiol but he is not a full back and it shows every week. With Walker out of the door we really need a right back too.
There is a lot of work to be done with this team before we get back to challenging at the top again. I don’t see it happening next season as it will be Pep’s last.
It’s not totally doom and gloom but it’s clear we need an overhaul. I’m sure the club knows this. It may even take the form of a new playing style (with or without Pep). This may explain the reluctance to sign a Rodri type midfielder.

Did Pep not sign until 2027? Therefore he'll have two years to mould a rebuilded squad if we are able to do so in the summer.

I think we need at least a RB, LB, DM and CM in the summer assuming we lose KDB, Gundo and Walker - possibly even a GK if Ederson leaves too. The futures of Grealish, Stones and Bernardo are also up in the air but I doubt we'd let 7 leave in the summer.

However if we fail to qualify for the CL the task of finding players with the quality we need in these positions will be made much more difficult, and is why I don't understand we haven't accelerated a deal for a DM in this window given its clearly out biggest issue at the moment and has been for 4 months.

 

[mosssideblue]

Day 16…

and?

 

[richards30]

Forest and Spurs looking at Rios @Gaz (FMwkdsoul) he’s one you like the look of isn’t he?

 

[Semper aggressus]

I can see plan b using someone like Akanji or Stones in midfield but that relies on Reis and Khusanov hitting the ground running.

So two very young players with no PL experience at the heart of our defence and two central defenders trying to be midfielders. What could possibly go wrong?

 

[Gumzy97]

If we go for a CB in the summer I'd go for Murillo. His quotes at the start of the season he dreams of playing for us.

They're surreal..."
"I would tremble (if Pep Guardiola called)..."
"#ManCity, along with Real Madrid, is the best team in the world..."
"Everyone nowadays dreams of playing for
ManCity, Real Madrid..."

 

[Semper aggressus]

It may not be plan A, but we also need a plan B in the case of a midfieder not being possible. Think myself plan B would be playing 4 centre backs and using 1 ,hopefully Stones, to step into midfield beside Kovacic.

For that one game until he’s injured again and Gundogan has to step in.

 

[Kippaxpete]

Did Pep not sign until 2027? Therefore he'll have two years to mould a rebuilded squad if we are able to do so in the summer.

I think we need at least a RB, LB, DM and CM in the summer assuming we lose KDB, Gundo and Walker - possibly even a GK if Ederson leaves too. The futures of Grealish, Stones and Bernardo are also up in the air but I doubt we'd let 7 leave in the summer.

However if we fail to qualify for the CL the task of finding players with the quality we need in these positions will be made much more difficult, and is why I don't understand we haven't accelerated a deal for a DM in this window given its clearly out biggest issue at the moment and has been for 4 months.

I couldn't agree more in terms of the urgency. However, irrespective of the wild speculation at this time of year, who's to say that, behind the scenes, negotiations to purchase a DM haven't been ongoing for some time. Moreover, it might be a player who, hitherto, has gone under the radar, particularly given the secrecy with which the club are known to conduct its business. Admittedly, that might be wishful thinking on my part but it wouldn't be the first time a signing has come out of left field (no pun intended).

 

[Trickyblues]

I can see plan b using someone like Akanji or Stones in midfield but that relies on Reis and Khusanov hitting the ground running.

That relies on Stones actually being able to play football

 

[blueparrot]

For that one game until he’s injured again and Gundogan has to step in.

Okay.

 

[Ajm1985]

It may not be plan A, but we also need a plan B in the case of a midfieder not being possible. Think myself plan B would be playing 4 centre backs and using 1 ,hopefully Stones, to step into midfield beside Kovacic.

I get the idea but part of the issue has been the availability of Stones etc

 

[Sibierskii]

and?

What do you mean and?

Fuck all!!!!!

 

[blueparrot]

I get the idea but part of the issue has been the availability of Stones etc

Yes, that's obviously the biggest issue with my plan B,whether Gvardiol could do it from left back, don't really know. Ideally we'll find a CM before the end of the window.

 

[dadnlad]

Did Pep not sign until 2027? Therefore he'll have two years to mould a rebuilded squad if we are able to do so in the summer.

I think we need at least a RB, LB, DM and CM in the summer assuming we lose KDB, Gundo and Walker - possibly even a GK if Ederson leaves too. The futures of Grealish, Stones and Bernardo are also up in the air but I doubt we'd let 7 leave in the summer.

However if we fail to qualify for the CL the task of finding players with the quality we need in these positions will be made much more difficult, and is why I don't understand we haven't accelerated a deal for a DM in this window given its clearly out biggest issue at the moment and has been for 4 months.

If rag boss said he needed 6 transfer window then how many do we need

 

[Ajm1985]

Yes, that's obviously the biggest issue with my plan B,whether Gvardiol could do it from left back, don't really know. Ideally we'll find a CM before the end of the window.

I think he could eventually but he doesn't seem in the right headspace, plus he loves playing flat passes across midfield. However, can't imagine he'd be worse than what we have played

 

[Gumzy97]