The Squad planning thread

Nelinho said:
Before even discussing individual attributes / quality, structural issues, situational behavior etc, take a look at aggressiveness as an indicator: Lack of it. I have accepted that we will always be more technical, opposition more physical so as to deal with us. I have accepted that we always had good lads that play the game fair. Finally, even though the boys cannot and will not talk publicly about it, I know for a fact that they are very careful in terms of their physicality: We are not officiated the same way, refs are usually lenient towards opposition, but will punish us severely in every given opportunity...

I know -and accept- all that but still: While opponents constantly kick the shit out of us (and are encouraged to do so), we are very kind in duels and challenges, all kinds of duels and challenges, on the ground, aerials. I do not blame the boys though, and I do not question their professionalism. It's human nature, I'm sorry. One of the reasons you bring new people in is to enhance internal competition, keep "pushing" the existing group of players. It's difficult to maintain the hunger when you keep winning, even if you want to, sometimes it's beyond your will. As I said, human nature. This group of players has been working extremely hard for years so as to beat all kinds of limitations, you simply cannot rely on that forever...

That aside, replying directly to your post: Following Vincent's departure, our most complete defender has been Aymeric. I repeat, our most complete, by far. Incredible player, BEFORE his injury. The truth is that nobody was ever world class in that area, they all had weaknesses. Nobody. And the truth is that everybody has been overachieving under Guardiola, in the framework of a certain strategy and style of play. Everybody. But you will not read or hear about such stuff in the media. They have their reasons, you see, it doesn't suit their narrative...

You understand the above, then you understand City's condition the last 5 years: If we are not at 100%, if we underestimate opposition, if we enter the pitch with the wrong mindset, weaknesses and limitations are bound to be exposed: Pretty much the story of the Al Hilal match. When, in the process, you realize the hard reality of the match, it's too late. It usually is, it's very difficult to fix lack of mental preparation during a match. You are already nervous, you play the game without a clear mind, you make mistakes. You see, we became too confident (and a bit arrogant) after the Juventus match -which is understandable after such a tough season. And Pep, aware of our fitness levels, thought he could keep people like Phil, Rayan, Omar etc, fresh for the next match, in 3 days. We paid the price, the rest is history...

PS. Regarding GK and RB, I agree. I have already expressed my opinion, not coming back to that...
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A concerning point for me was Guardiola returning to last season's setup, with most of his tried & tested's starting.

RAN had a blistering dream debut. Just days before, I commented that Doku & RAN would be a nightmare for defenders, as both are ballers who can overlap & underlap each other, which would cause havoc for the opposition.

Last season, teams negated Doku by putting 2-3 men on him. The difference against Juvé was that with both RAN & Doku to deal with, they couldn't commit 2-3 players (effectively half their outfield), to mark 2 of ours.

Like most others, I was wetting myself at the prospect of Doku & RAN for the coming season, & with thoughts of Hugo replicating that same danger on the right with Savinho/Bobb & a new RB. So what does Pep do against Al Hilal? RAN becomes an inverted LB, leaving Doku isolated & facing 2-3 players, just like he was last season.

It's clear that Pep is the problem here. We saw the emerging blue-print against Juvé, so why the fuck did we rip it up to try what failed for us last season? If we have genuine width down each side causing mayhem, we have no need to be bare bones at the back & stacked in a congested advanced midfield, leaving us vulnerable to rapid counters in the wide defensive areas we're vacating.

Al Hilal exploited this space & our thinly manned high line, time & time again & Guardiola didn't/wouldn't make the necessary adjustments. Our approach to Juvé & Al Hilal were night & day. Against Juvé, we saw the future. Against Al Hilal, we returned to our recent past.

As I've said previously, I'd be more than happy if City cleared the decks with our ageing heroes, & next season became a transitional one with CL qualification our priority. I think we need this step back to reorganise, so we can eventually begin to move significantly forward for season 2026/27.

Our huge 2025 squad expenditure is pointless, if all Pep intends to do is patch up the old guard, as he attempts to twang yet another tune out of them for next season.

The positive is that I hope the new coaching voices around him provide a sufficient enough challenge to
Pep to reset & change course using our younger squad members. We've more than enough quality amongst them to compete, if they're trusted & given a chance.
 
Our EDs teams are winning titles almost every year , some very talented and good players should pop up from time to time to our main team ,but this isn´t much the case, Foden was the last really good one i think. La Masia is producing one almost every year for their team or the talent pool here really isnt that good as it seems or its all down on Pep not giving them chances?
 
ken tali said:
Our EDs teams are winning titles almost every year , some very talented and good players should pop up from time to time to our main team ,but this isn´t much the case, Foden was the last really good one i think. La Masia is producing one almost every year for their team or the talent pool here really isnt that good as it seems or its all down on Pep not giving them chances?
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Most of them end up playing for Chelsea!
 
ken tali said:
Our EDs teams are winning titles almost every year , some very talented and good players should pop up from time to time to our main team ,but this isn´t much the case, Foden was the last really good one i think. La Masia is producing one almost every year for their team or the talent pool here really isnt that good as it seems or its all down on Pep not giving them chances?
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The difference is that Barcelona plays their talents or has to due to financial issues.
We don’t. Look at O’Reilly he is a good talent and even has great impact in a position he never played his life.
There are some talents just need the chance
 
If we are looking at Livramento and Gibbs Whiyre still then we may have some options that would interest Newcastle and Forest to help facilitate a deal or two? Grealish, Mcatee, Ake possibly? Rico or even Bobb on loan ?
 
ken tali said:
Our EDs teams are winning titles almost every year , some very talented and good players should pop up from time to time to our main team ,but this isn´t much the case, Foden was the last really good one i think. La Masia is producing one almost every year for their team or the talent pool here really isnt that good as it seems or its all down on Pep not giving them chances?
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What I find odd is that we do have time to develop other teams young players. Players like Doku and savinho who are often consistently out of form or don’t have great stats. Or we spend huge amounts of money on unproven talent like Reis or Khusanov. Why do we find time to develop them, but not our own academy players?

I’d argue some of our academy players are more talented as well. I rate Bobb higher than either of those two, talent wise and long term potential.

Our record with developing young academy players is pretty poor in my opinion
 
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Cheadle_hulmeBlue said:
What I find odd is that we do have time to develop other teams young players. Players like Doku and savinho who are often consistently out of form or don’t have great stats. Why do we find time to develop them, but not our own academy players?

I’d argue some of our academy players are more talented as well. I rate Bobb higher than either of those two, talent wise and long term potential.

Our record with developing young academy players is pretty poor in my opinion
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yeah and isn´t there really any full backs coming through the ranks?? Even for a few games and garbage minutes or some talented wingers.
 
Dribble said:
A concerning point for me was Guardiola returning to last season's setup, with most of his tried & tested's starting.

RAN had a blistering dream debut. Just days before, I commented that Doku & RAN would be a nightmare for defenders, as both are ballers who can overlap & underlap each other, which would cause havoc for the opposition.

Last season, teams negated Doku by putting 2-3 men on him. The difference against Juvé was that with both RAN & Doku to deal with, they couldn't commit 2-3 players (effectively half their outfield), to mark 2 of ours.

Like most others, I was wetting myself at the prospect of Doku & RAN for the coming season, & with thoughts of Hugo replicating that same danger on the right with Savinho/Bobb & a new RB. So what does Pep do against Al Hilal? RAN becomes an inverted LB, leaving Doku isolated & facing 2-3 players, just like he was last season.

It's clear that Pep is the problem here. We saw the emerging blue-print against Juvé, so why the fuck did we rip it up to try what failed for us last season? If we have genuine width down each side causing mayhem, we have no need to be bare bones at the back & stacked in a congested advanced midfield, leaving us vulnerable to rapid counters in the wide defensive areas we're vacating.

Al Hilal exploited this space & our thinly manned high line, time & time again & Guardiola didn't/wouldn't make the necessary adjustments. Our approach to Juvé & Al Hilal were night & day. Against Juvé, we saw the future. Against Al Hilal, we returned to our recent past.

As I've said previously, I'd be more than happy if City cleared the decks with our ageing heroes, & next season became a transitional one with CL qualification our priority. I think we need this step back to reorganise, so we can eventually begin to move significantly forward for season 2026/27.

Our huge 2025 squad expenditure is pointless, if all Pep intends to do is patch up the old guard, as he attempts to twang yet another tune out of them for next season.

The positive is that I hope the new coaching voices around him provide a sufficient enough challenge to
Pep to reset & change course using our younger squad members. We've more than enough quality amongst them to compete, if they're trusted & given a chance.
Click to expand...
Sadly even Pep makes mistakes and not using the Juve set up was one of them. I don’t know the reason but I’m sure he had one. We will never know.
 
That treble defense that had a 4 CBs and having John Stones enter into the midfield relied on the back 3 being strong in the air and having some pace.

I just realized, we could literally recreate with an entirely new backline of:

Gvardiol
Bah
Reis
Khusanov

Where Reis can do the John Stones role, I also think Nico G could do this, or you just have Nico G the DM.

It's a shame we have never tried to recreate that system.
 
The whole squad planning has been a total fuck up since treble win tbh. Thats the point where players should have been phased out. Yes Gundo went(should never of been resigned) also Walker, one of stones or Ake and Bernardo should all have gone at that point. Kovacic Nunes Doku none of these should of been signed. Doku is not a pep player. Kovacic was close to 30 at time. Nunes not good enough. Then deciding not to bother signing anyone last summer except a rookie Savinho and put him straight into squad to replace Mahrez of all people. Then a shambolic January transfer window only one of which will play( Marmoush) yes this window has been good 3 top players. But because of our mismanagement were stuck with too many players and then players who arent good enough who are on long contracts. Im struggling to understand what stage of rebuild we are at? Because the new players arent playing or good enough. And the loyal servants are still playing week in week out. So wheres the transition period? Just a total fuck up
 
Viana has to be ruthless. And i hope he will. Starting from the injured CB‘s who just hinder the new players getting game time - to the CM who play no matter how bad they are. CB and CM has both 2 unnecessary players.
Still 5 weeks until the first game so there’s enough time.
 
The Nico Gonzales stuff is so weird, there must be something we're missing behind the scenes, because he's looked genuinely good and promising whenever he's played, Pep even called him a mini Rodri and thanked the club for signing him at the time.

It's just really strange.
 
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