We need someone in on loan for now, it makes perfect sense if we can't land a main targetIf Rodri recovers fully, he won't play. A loan might work though.
I agree. Whether on loan or permanent, Luiz would help the team. A 6/8 hybrid profile was probably the one City was always going to target.Douglas Luiz is a fabulous option. If we got him hed be the best Central Midfielder we have this season.
I don't understand the resistance to a very good player.
The main reason we are 5th and not higher is because of how easy our midfield has been played through and that position still hasn't been addressed.We’re 5th.
We’ve just signed an attacker and two defenders.
Arguably no. He played 90 minutes on the 19th October against Lazio and then 90 minutes on the 11th January against Torino.Is Douglas match fit and in condition to start immediately in our mid field ?
No point in loaning anyone who needs 6 weeks to get up to speed .
NOW is the imperative !!
Because we are refusing a loan with an obligation, its obvious we have somebody else in mind for the summer and Luiz isn’t needed.Who's to say we won't? We've collectively been crying out for midfield reinforcements, this is a player who can wear different hats and is a snip. Will also have the much lauded "resale value" if he plays well for the remainder of this season.
Regardless of rodri coming back we are light as fuck in midfield and we ain't getting anyone better than this to be an understudy, or with his versatility imo.
Your assertion that finishing in the top 4 hinges Only on whether we pay what juventus want for Luiz, and commit to a player for 5 odd years for the sake of 5 months now. That's what.What the fuck you on about?
If it’s Luiz or nothing, do Luiz. But it is far from ideal and he won’t make a massive difference in terms of moving the needle. I do think there is still a decent chance we don’t sign a midfielder.
City want no commitment long term with Luiz though which is why I don’t think it’ll happen.
It’s likely that Kovacic and Bernardo remain the starting pair in midfield even if Luiz comes.
Similar profiles to the others
People are arguing cross purposes.Douglas Luiz is a fabulous option. If we got him hed be the best Central Midfielder we have this season.
I don't understand the resistance to a very good player.
Which is why I don’t like it. City obviously don’t see him in the plans for long term.People are arguing cross purposes.
Most agree that a 6 month loan with option to buy but no obligation is a good thing and would help us this season.
But it is a loan with an obligation to buy Juventus want, with a rumoured assumed price of £35m (let's face it, it will be more than that), that others are arguing is not as much of a 'no-brainer'. And probably why the club haven't gone for it so far.
To which the first lot respond with, 6 months on loan THIS season is a no-brainer. And round and round we go.
If he comes in for 6 months and helps fantastic, good for us and good for him, he will have plenty of options in the summer.Which is why I don’t like it. City obviously don’t see him in the plans for long term.
I feel it’s something they’ll do last minute and only if it suits them absolutely
I understand the need is urgent but I still see the same issues occurring that we have now even if we get Luiz. He’s another body that is similar to what we have now. Luiz isn’t adding the physicality to that midfield
I still think they are working on something else
Still not good enough that though - they’ve literally bought the most in form attacker in Europe this January.If he comes in for 6 months and help fantastic, good for us and good for him, he will have plenty of options in the summer.
I get the feeling we have big plans for midfield in the summer but our real no1 options won't be available until then.
Seen the Italian press report that Juventus are looking for a fee of €28 million Euros, which would basically cover their summer outlay for Luiz, a transfer which was offset by other moves. If true, a relatively low cost.
An added benefit of taking Luiz now would be that, come August, he’d be bedded in and ready to start the new season. If we have to wait for someone else in the summer, then that means trying to make more in-season adjustments when Rodri returns.
What are the January options?Still not good enough that though - they’ve literally bought the most in form attacker in Europe this January.
There has to be someone they feel can contribute towards this midfield in the long term.
As I say, if true, but yes that would be an attractive proposition. We need someone who can dovetail with the other players in Rodri's absence but also be able to play with him when we need slightly more cover. Our attackers are no longer the type that can keep possession for long, so we will sometimes need a little more defensive cover in midfield.so £23.5m? To be honest, a loan and sign him for that in the summer at that price is without question worth doing.
Which is why I don’t like it. City obviously don’t see him in the plans for long term.
I feel it’s something they’ll do last minute and only if it suits them absolutely
I understand the need is urgent but I still see the same issues occurring that we have now even if we get Luiz. He’s another body that is similar to what we have now. Luiz isn’t adding the physicality to that midfield
I still think they are working on something else
As I say, if true, but yes that would be an attractive proposition. We need someone who can dovetail with the other players in Rodri's absence but also be able to play with him when we need slightly more cover. Our attackers are no longer the type that can keep possession for long, so we will sometimes need a little more defensive cover in midfield.