The Squad planning thread

oldius said:
Updated with Echeverri and Akanji.

View attachment 145476

I believe that the U18 team features a number of players with an outstanding opportunity to become top drawer professionals. I'd include Reigan Heskey, Divine Mukasa, Ryan McAidoo, Finlay Gorman, Dante Headley, and Stephen Mfuni. IMO, we need to phase them in over the next three years, or lose them. Braithwaite is another in that crop, in my view.
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We will lose most of them
 
Dax777 said:
We will lose most of them
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We will if we don't play them, yes.

The reason for my post is that we need to be bringing that group into the squad over the next two years. IMO, several are exceptionally talented. I saved the image as City 2026/2027, and I think that is realistic.
 
oldius said:
We will if we don't play them, yes.

The reason for my post is that we need to be bringing that group into the squad over the next two years. IMO, several are exceptionally talented. I saved the image as City 2026/2027, and I think that is realistic.
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2 years? most of that lot are 16, not a chance they are within the senior squad in 2 seasons. Not even got a game in the PL2 yet..
 
oldius said:
We will if we don't play them, yes.

The reason for my post is that we need to be bringing that group into the squad over the next two years. IMO, several are exceptionally talented. I saved the image as City 2026/2027, and I think that is realistic.
Click to expand...
2026/27 would probably be a little too soon, as several of them would only be 18/19. I do think that the current generation of U18s is up there with the Foden, Sancho, Brahim one. More than half of the U18s squad has potential to be City first-team players imo. Usually, there`s 1-3 from each generation with that kind of potential, U18s currently have around 6 I think
 
Delphinho said:
2026/27 would probably be a little too soon, as several of them would only be 18/19. I do think that the current generation of U18s is up there with the Foden, Sancho, Brahim one. More than half of the U18s squad has potential to be City first-team players imo. Usually, there`s 1-3 from each generation with that kind of potential, U18s currently have around 6 I think
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Agree that timeframe is just a bit short but the sentiment is correct.

26 - PL2
27 - PL2/1st training/Loan
28 - 1st/Loans/Sales

if i had to take a wild guess based on previous progressions and who develops fastest etc.
 
Delphinho said:
2026/27 would probably be a little too soon, as several of them would only be 18/19. I do think that the current generation of U18s is up there with the Foden, Sancho, Brahim one. More than half of the U18s squad has potential to be City first-team players imo. Usually, there`s 1-3 from each generation with that kind of potential, U18s currently have around 6 I think
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Yes, I am not referring to playing them as main players, but that is the season when they need to be seeing some movement in their roles - cup appearances as starters, sub appearances in important games. If not, it is also the time when the vultures will be circling.
 
Gaz (FMwkdsoul) said:
2 years? most of that lot are 16, not a chance they are within the senior squad in 2 seasons. Not even got a game in the PL2 yet..
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Yes. Next season PL2 (Mfuni is already there). The season after, first team squad. If not, Mukasa and others will be going. We also need to consider that Viana may have a different approach. This group is exceptional, IMO.
 
oldius said:
Yes. Next season PL2 (Mfuni is already there). The season after, first team squad. If not, Mukasa and others will be going. We also need to consider that Viana may have a different approach. This group is exceptional, IMO.
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doubt any are called into the 1st team squad after 1 year in the PL2. training cones at best.
 
FromPollockToSilva said:
Rico made his City debut at 17 and England debut at 18. You don’t think theres’s a chance even one of those players could do the same?
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maybe? given a random ass chance that Rico got due to Cancelo being a dick, his pathway is an exception, but a straight up pathway for all in that group being open within 2 years, doubt it personally.

Its just a lil tight for me, think it will be, but over a longer period 3-5 for most. The use/pathway has been pretty much the same for awhile now, don't see the DOF changing that.
 
Gaz (FMwkdsoul) said:
maybe? given a random ass chance that Rico got due to Cancelo being a dick, his pathway is an exception, but a straight up pathway for all in that group being open within 2 years, doubt it personally.

It’s just a lil tight for me, think it will be, but over a longer period 3-5 for most. The use/pathway has been pretty much the same for awhile now, don't see the DOF changing that.
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That’s fair. Apart from the truly gifted, a lot of young players end up getting a chance because of circumstances like Rico’s. JSP probably didn’t expect any serious minutes this season, for example

The trick is doing enough when the stars align to force yourself into the reckoning long-term
 
Gumzy97 said:
Can see us signing Fresneda from Sporting in the summer. Viana apparently really wanted him at Sporting. 20 year old right back
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liked him in la liga, sporting move has been disastrous for him though. Bit small though
 
1738719674964.png

This is kind of what I'm assuming going into next season, it just seems like with Gundogan and KdB's age, they might leave.

Also seems like Ederson will leave (to Saudi?) but Ortega isn't a good enough #1 GK, so this should be a priority in the summer.

Grealish doesn't seem fancied, and while I wish he got trialed more in midfield, we have yet to see Pep try it so maybe he sees something in training in that he can't do it. Either way, think Pep will give him the boot in the summer.

I built the squad around the 433 with narrow wingers and wide fullbacks.

Some people might not like it, but I think Gvardiol and Nunes as attacking fullbacks really works for us, lets the wingers come inside which suits them, and is balanced by 3 deeper midfielders.

Along with the GK, we will need likely a new #1 RB (Vanderson Monaco? I dunno), and a new LB to rotate with Gvardiol (Robinson should not be that expensive in the summer).

I think these 8 midfielders is enough options for 3 spots, O Reilly needs to be trusted more, I like him more than Lewis personally in terms of potential.

If Bernie or Kova go, then we need to replace them, but I am assuming with Gundo and KdB going, it's unlikely we offload 3 or more midfielders, I prioritized keeping the younger ones.

I am personally a fan of replacing them with some of the super stars coming from the academy because we already have Rodri, Stones, Gonzalez, Bobb who would be more senior anyways.

So yeah overall in the summer, on the assumption of 4 outgoings (Ederson, Grealish, KdB, Gundogan), bring in 3 more players (GK, LB, RB) and perhaps use some of the insanely talented youth to fill in more gaps (gasp what a tragedy and impossible task...)

Edit: Forgot about Eccheveri, go ahead and toss him as extra depth for the attacking 3 (so 7 options)
 
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WallyA said:
View attachment 145578

This is kind of what I'm assuming going into next season, it just seems like with Gundogan and KdB's age, they might leave.

Also seems like Ederson will leave (to Saudi?) but Ortega isn't a good enough #1 GK, so this should be a priority in the summer.

Grealish doesn't seem fancied, and while I wish he got trialed more in midfield, we have yet to see Pep try it so maybe he sees something in training in that he can't do it. Either way, think Pep will give him the boot in the summer.

I built the squad around the 433 with narrow wingers and wide fullbacks.

Some people might not like it, but I think Gvardiol and Nunes as attacking fullbacks really works for us, lets the wingers come inside which suits them, and is balanced by 3 deeper midfielders.

Along with the GK, we will need likely a new #1 RB (Vanderson Monaco? I dunno), and a new LB to rotate with Gvardiol (Robinson should not be that expensive in the summer).

I think these 8 midfielders is enough options for 3 spots, O Reilly needs to be trusted more, I like him more than Lewis personally in terms of potential.

If Bernie or Kova go, then we need to replace them, but I am assuming with Gundo and KdB going, it's unlikely we offload 3 or more midfielders, I prioritized keeping the younger ones.

I am personally a fan of replacing them with some of the super stars coming from the academy because we already have Rodri, Stones, Gonzalez, Bobb who would be more senior anyways.

So yeah overall in the summer, on the assumption of 4 outgoings (Ederson, Grealish, KdB, Gundogan), bring in 3 more players (GK, LB, RB) and perhaps use some of the insanely talented youth to fill in more gaps (gasp what a tragedy and impossible task...)

Edit: Forgot about Eccheveri, go ahead and toss him as extra depth for the attacking 3 (so 7 options)
Click to expand...
I'm kind of puzzled that after the splash we've made this winter window in knowledge we are vastly undermanned in midfield and assuming from your math KDB, Gundo, Jack and Eddie leave we only pick up a new #1 and a RB in the summer.
 
Zenmanc said:
I'm kind of puzzled that after the splash we've made this winter window in knowledge we are vastly undermanned in midfield and assuming from your math KDB, Gundo, Jack and Eddie leave we only pick up a new #1 and a RB in the summer.
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Everything you said has confused me.

First of all Ive listed 8 midfielders for 3 spots, thats undermanned?

I very clearly stated I also wanted a LB as well.

And my edit includes Eccheverri to add to the attack.

In my scenario, where are we lacking in depth? I have 26 players for this squad (thats not small in anyway)
 
WallyA said:
View attachment 145578

This is kind of what I'm assuming going into next season, it just seems like with Gundogan and KdB's age, they might leave.

Also seems like Ederson will leave (to Saudi?) but Ortega isn't a good enough #1 GK, so this should be a priority in the summer.

Grealish doesn't seem fancied, and while I wish he got trialed more in midfield, we have yet to see Pep try it so maybe he sees something in training in that he can't do it. Either way, think Pep will give him the boot in the summer.

I built the squad around the 433 with narrow wingers and wide fullbacks.

Some people might not like it, but I think Gvardiol and Nunes as attacking fullbacks really works for us, lets the wingers come inside which suits them, and is balanced by 3 deeper midfielders.

Along with the GK, we will need likely a new #1 RB (Vanderson Monaco? I dunno), and a new LB to rotate with Gvardiol (Robinson should not be that expensive in the summer).

I think these 8 midfielders is enough options for 3 spots, O Reilly needs to be trusted more, I like him more than Lewis personally in terms of potential.

If Bernie or Kova go, then we need to replace them, but I am assuming with Gundo and KdB going, it's unlikely we offload 3 or more midfielders, I prioritized keeping the younger ones.

I am personally a fan of replacing them with some of the super stars coming from the academy because we already have Rodri, Stones, Gonzalez, Bobb who would be more senior anyways.

So yeah overall in the summer, on the assumption of 4 outgoings (Ederson, Grealish, KdB, Gundogan), bring in 3 more players (GK, LB, RB) and perhaps use some of the insanely talented youth to fill in more gaps (gasp what a tragedy and impossible task...)

Edit: Forgot about Eccheveri, go ahead and toss him as extra depth for the attacking 3 (so 7 options)
Click to expand...
I agree with your analysis albeit with a slightly different outlook.

Its more of a 4 3 3 with 2 at the base.

.............................GK/ Ortega K
........Khusanov/AKanji..Dias/Ake/Reis.......
....RB/Lewis..........................Gvardiol/O'Reily
...Rodri/Kovacic....Gonzalez/Bernardo./Nunez.
Bobb/Foden.....Marmoush/AM....Doku/Savio
......................Haaland/Marmoush......................


I'd probably want one more talent for the the front 4. Right now i see 6 guys for 4 positions.

RB: Vanderson
AM: Baena
GK: Suzuki
 
Dax777 said:
I agree with your analysis albeit with a slightly different outlook.

Its more of a 4 3 3 with 2 at the base.

.............................GK/ Ortega K
........Khusanov/AKanji..Dias/Ake/Reis.......
....RB/Lewis..........................Gvardiol/O'Reily
...Rodri/Kovacic....Gonzalez/Bernardo./Nunez.
Bobb/Foden.....Marmoush/AM....Doku/Savio
......................Haaland/Marmoush......................


I'd probably want one more talent for the the front 4. Right now i see 6 guys for 4 positions.

RB: Vanderson
AM: Baena
GK: Suzuki
Click to expand...
I would call that more of a 4231 but thats fine.

I dont think we need any extra attackers as I also forgot Echeverri is joining and likely to br a squad player next season.

I also included McAtee, but you removed him, so now I see why you are down a forward from my list.

Honestly, even if McAtee leaves, I dont see why the depth cant be one of our very talented academy players, it woulf just be for a backup spot.

Also, O Reilly and Nunes can also fill in those spots in a pinch.

I want us to focus on GK, LB and RB.
 
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