Ok, having started this ball rolling, I've read the thread so far with great interest. There's a lot of consensus on here. More than there is serious disagreement, in fact. It is, obviously, speculation. But, one hopes, informed speculation. We all watch City, every week. Many of us have been doing it for decades. I repeat — I repeat — that, speaking for myself, I am absolutely not saying “Oh, I think this guy is great, and must be kept”, still less, “Oh, I think he's wank, get rid”. It's not the point.
A couple of tweaks.
Ed: nobody, surely, is suggesting that Ed is anything other than one of the three or four best keepers in the world. At long-range passing, he is quite simply a UFO. I've never seen anything like it. I don't remember Sepp Maier or Dino Zoff being able to do that. Of course, they weren't asked to. Football has moved right on, by light years. Pep has been part of that movement. Shot-stopping? He's not the best in the world, but he's still pretty good. My suggestion is that it may be his own choice, if Saudi comes in for him with absolutely silly money, to go and get a humungous pay day over a couple of years, which no club in Europe could possibly compete with.
That said, if Ed were to go, I'd be very, very surprised if the club didn't fight tooth and nail to keep Stefan. Because he's a damn good keeper. Not Ed level, but still good. And you don't replace two keepers of that level in one window. You just don't.
Kev. Again, if Kev goes, it will be by mutual consent, and amicable on both sides. I have no doubt about that. Yes, with runners beside him, Kev could still play a role, maybe a major one, for another year. I think it's open whether he stays or goes.
Doubt that if Gundo goes, Kova will too. We're then back to Rod playing match after match after match on his own. Nico still a somewhat unknown quantity at this point. Kova's a good player. If he's got someone dynamic playing next to him. Sadly, that man is no longer Gundo.
The back line. Again, no management that isn't certifiably insane clears out an entire back line in one window. Walker, I think we can assume, is gone. Gvardiol, I'd be more than astonished if he didn't stay. Rúben, he has leadership qualities in the back line that are recognised by Pep and the management. Love Nathan and Johnny — both of them, terrific defenders, with different qualities — but the injury problems are there, and they've been there for seasons now. The management must be looking at that, and thinking. Bringing in Khusanov was surely part of that thinking.
McAtee — interesting to see that for some of you he's definitely on his way out. I just have my doubts. Pep gave what appeared to be a firm verbal assurance. That's what he said publicly. Surely, then, what he said in private to James and his agent must have been firmer? Yes, it's puzzling that he hasn't been getting minutes.
Finally, Pep. I had understood that Pep had renewed for two years as of this coming summer. Did I dream that? Of everyone that's been mentioned, Pep's position at the club is surely impregnable. He's more impregnable than any player out there on that pitch.When you've done what he's done over eight years — things that have never been seen in England — you've got rather a lot of credit with your owners. Only if City were in serious danger of relegation would his position be seriously under threat. And even then, I may be imagining that. Who better to get you out of a relegation scrap than the Catalan? I'd relish seeing that…
