In terms of central midfield, we currently go into the season with question marks over Rodri’s long-term fitness, Gonzalez’s ability to deputise, and Kovacic’s injury. With Reijnders new to the League, it would be understandable if Guardiola wanted Gundogan and Bernardo close at hand.Pep is ruthless at times but is also loyal & I can see him sticking with Ake & Akanji, especially if we don't sign Livramento. Kovacic will likely stay & it depends on how much truth there is in the Gundogan to Galatasaray transfer rumours.
Don't wanna be THAT guy but since the treble we bought Gvardiol (21), Doku (21), Nunes (25), Savinho (20), Echeverri (18) and that's excluding the guys we bought in Jan and this summer
Don't get me wrong, we weren't proactive enough but its not like we signed nobody.
That's what? £250mil On players 25 or under in 18 months, some of the most highly rated youngsters in world football at the time of purchasing them
Bernardo being made captain obviously means hes staying. Ihaven't got a problem with Gundogan & Kovacic staying as long as they're not automatic startersIn terms of central midfield, we currently go into the season with question marks over Rodri’s long-term fitness, Gonzalez’s ability to deputise, and Kovacic’s injury. With Reijnders new to the League, it would be understandable if Guardiola wanted Gundogan and Bernardo close at hand.
Pep had both them long enough for him to asses them
Pep seems to see completely different from fans, etc.
Letting several experienced players go is enough, Pep rates experience highly.
Pep is ruthless at times but is also loyal
2/3 of them are just making the rebuild a bit less efficient. Someone like MGW would give us more than 2/3 of them since his Profile is actually needed. Also their game time can easily go to both Nico‘s.Bernardo being made captain obviously means hes staying. Ihaven't got a problem with Gundogan & Kovacic staying as long as they're not automatic starters
Don't see how kerkez is more proven than those I mentioned, hes really only had 1 ful season where hes excelledDifference is that besides Gvardiol maybe none of those others are proven quality at a top level
The likes of Wirtz, Frimpong, and kerkez are proven...at least more than any of those uiu mention...
They’ve only just bought them this window though and at the same time we have bought reindjers, air nouri and cherki who are proven at similar levels to the three you mentioned.Difference is that besides Gvardiol maybe none of those others are proven quality at a top level
The likes of Wirtz, Frimpong, and kerkez are proven...at least more than any of those uiu mention...
While all that is correct, I think you guys are missing something critical that was mentioned last season..
There were reports out saying Pep admitted to the board he's too close to the players he won with and can't cut them (a bit like Barca), so he wants someone else to make the decision of who stays and who goes!
So it's likely to be a front office decision by Viana and the board! And from what I've seen Viana really wants to get younger and faster. (It was discussed the 5 that came in winter, were actually Viana signings with a look towards the future..)
Pep will have new toys, he just has to manage them!
While that is true, it might be more prudent to ensure that we rebuild with the proper materials. I’d prize efficacy over efficiency.2/3 of them are just making the rebuild a bit less efficient. Someone like MGW would give us more than 2/3 of them since his Profile is actually needed. Also their game time can easily go to both Nico‘s.
Agree on alt noiri and Reijnders... Cherki is an unknown...could be amazing...could be shitThey’ve only just bought them this window though and at the same time we have bought reindjers, air nouri and cherki who are proven at similar levels to the three you mentioned.
Last summer Liverpool signed no one.
Only because he’s wanted to leave for years, surely he’d still want to go?Bernie! Haha. Just made club captain but ship him out…
Silva has one year left of his contract, at which point he’ll most likely go back to Benfica, his team. He’ll only have just turned 32 and be able to add to the 30 odd minutes he played for them over a decade ago.Only because he’s wanted to leave for years, surely he’d still want to go?
I don’t think we will.Yeah…the decision to buy two CB’s in January looks another strange decision from City. Loaning out a player that costs £35m 6 months after arriving is poor.
IF Rodri comes back as the player he was I reckon Kovacic will start a lot more games than people imagine. He carries the ball as well as anyone, closes down defenders and drives forward better than most. What he’s not, is a DM and, hopefully with Rodri and the new lads, he’ll play where he should play.The issue of moving Kovacic on as well as Gundogan is down to either of our new midfield signings initally struggle to adapt or Rodri's recovery takes a major set back during the season. Still need the depth.
This triggering of the contract year is literally meaningless, if the player wants to move or the club think it is best for him to move. They know and reapect each other and will work it out. Pellegrini triggered his co tract extension, then announced Pep was coming and he wouldn't see his last year out. These are grown-ups we are talking about.Keep the central midfield depth and look to either Akanji or to lesser extent Ake (although he is more valuable in quota terms) or either Savinho or Doku (again not the most easiest of decisions). If the intention was to move Gundogan on then why trigger his contract for another season?. We won't get much of a transfer fee if we did sell him now and would have been better to allow him to move out of contract.
Could have easily not triggered it and allowed him to join Galatasaray for nothing. The triggering the extension still means he is part of Pep's plans albeit in a lesser role imo. He has shown during last season he is still capable of being providing valuable cover albeit not on a consistant basis. Not being in the leadership group means little as he could still have plans being part of the coaching set up in some capacity for his final season at City .Although it is not going to be super expensive but Galatasaray will still need to pay a fee to us on top of what they are going to pay him.This triggering of the contract year is literally meaningless, if the player wants to move or the club think it is best for him to move. They know and reapect each other and will work it out. Pellegrini triggered his co tract extension, then announced Pep was coming and he wouldn't see his last year out. These are grown-ups we are talking about.
I was talking about the likes of Sav when we brought him in, Echevari, Doku - none we playing at a highest levelDon't see how kerkez is more proven than those I mentioned, hes really only had 1 ful season where hes excelled
Frimpong is 24 and nobody tried activating his clause depsite it being there for years
Wouldn't say either of those are "proven quality at a top level"
And if they are, then so are Cherki, Marmoush, Ait Nouri etc.
One of my all time favourite players but he’s on a quarter of a million a week and lives in the physio room. With only a year left, the club should be looking to cash in on him.
I think MGW is a type of player we need. Rodri and Gonzalez are already slow. O’Reilly and Reijnders obviously faster but not THAT FAST. In terms of recovery defense we still don’t look good in my eyes. Even if MGW is the cleanest player I do think that he is an important asset that can play a good role here.While that is true, it might be more prudent to ensure that we rebuild with the proper materials. I’d prize efficacy over efficiency.
You make zero sense.Could have easily not triggered it and allowed him to join Galatasaray for nothing. The triggering the extension still means he is part of Pep's plans albeit in a lesser role imo. He has shown during last season he is still capable of being providing valuable cover albeit not on a consistant basis. Not being in the leadership group means little as he could still have plans being part of the coaching set up in some capacity for his final season at City .Although it is not going to be super expensive but Galatasaray will still need to pay a fee to us on top of what they are going to pay him.