For me the biggest problem was not always the defenders but we had nobody in midfield who could get back quickly and help the defense and as you said we were cut to ribbons.Doesn't matter who plays at CB (or GK, honestly) if we keep allowing simple breakthroughs to cut us to ribbons. That is first and foremost an intensity issue further up the field - intensity with the ball (quicker passing, constant movement off the ball), and intensity when we lose it (press HARD and win it back early/concede a quick foul and get back into shape)
We used to be magnificent at these two things, and if we get back to that level the pressure on the defence will be largely alleviated
That’s all very well, but we don’t have that depth at all as currently some of those players have to be sold or loaned out to stay within squad limits.Great seeing posts like this every now and then. Fully agree. Wirtz is obviously a game-changer for them, and the same can be said about Isak if they get him. Liverpool will certainly be strong this season, but Alisson is 32, Salah is 33, and Van Dijk is 34. That's 3 players that are currently best in the world at their positions, that may fall off in the very near future.
Behind Virgil, we have the best centerback in the league in Gvardiol. We have the best midfielder in Rodri. And the best striker in Haaland. And to accompany this, we have quality and depth in each facet of the pitch:
In attack, we have two other world class forwards with a chip on their shoulders in Marmoush and Foden. We have an attacking supporting cast of Cherki, Doku, Savio and Bobb who could take the leap to becoming superstars at any moment. All amazing profiles at young ages with massive ceilings.
In midfield, Reijnders looks absolutely ace, and having Nico G as an understudy is phenomenal. Add in the depth of Bernardo, Kovacic, and Gundo and that to me is as good as anyone. Plus we have Echeverri, Nypan, McAtee, and Nico O'Reilly knocking on the door.
In defence, we have a quality new LB that will be eager to prove his worth. Looked great in the CWC. We have Dias who I have no doubts will look back to his best alongside Gvardiol. We have Stones and Ake who are still elite when available, and we have the depth to keep them around for the ceilings they offer. Akanji another lad who is more than capable of playing minutes in certain matches. Add in some of the worlds best CB prospects in Khusanov, Bah, and Reis who could step-in and become world class at any moment. And cannot forget Nunes and Rico. Nunes took a massive step last season, and who's to say he won't do it again when everyone else's form improves? He played a new position and played it to a high level by the end of the season. People here giving City crap for not signing a right back, but the market is thin and I'm sure its not for a lack of trying. How many right backs are available that are truly a step-up from Nunes? That number is much smaller than some on here seem to think. Rico is useful in that he's versatile, and he's still only 20 years old. I don't think he becomes a world beater due to his physical deficiencies, but he can still be an elite player for us. Top lad.
We just signed Trafford in goal to fight with Ederson over the number one. I'm sure he is rearing to prove himself. Oh, and we have Pep Guardiola. We should be excited and optimistic going in the new season. 4 Prems in 5 years, and 6 in 8 years. We are still the giants. Liverpool have their work cut out for them if they want to take the throne.
Bring it on.
View attachment 164094
Sounds like you’ve got something juicy and want a verification mate? ;-)Does Tolmie still post here?
And do we have anybody else who possibly has abit of inside info?
I'm sure they do, just not sure it's here.Can never tell, but I'm not ready to dismiss them either think they both have big futures.
Does Tolmie still post here?
And do we have anybody else who possibly has abit of inside info?
Allison, the best keeper in the world? Not seeing it at allGreat seeing posts like this every now and then. Fully agree. Wirtz is obviously a game-changer for them, and the same can be said about Isak if they get him. Liverpool will certainly be strong this season, but Alisson is 32, Salah is 33, and Van Dijk is 34. That's 3 players that are currently best in the world at their positions, that may fall off in the very near future.
Behind Virgil, we have the best centerback in the league in Gvardiol. We have the best midfielder in Rodri. And the best striker in Haaland. And to accompany this, we have quality and depth in each facet of the pitch:
In attack, we have two other world class forwards with a chip on their shoulders in Marmoush and Foden. We have an attacking supporting cast of Cherki, Doku, Savio and Bobb who could take the leap to becoming superstars at any moment. All amazing profiles at young ages with massive ceilings.
In midfield, Reijnders looks absolutely ace, and having Nico G as an understudy is phenomenal. Add in the depth of Bernardo, Kovacic, and Gundo and that to me is as good as anyone. Plus we have Echeverri, Nypan, McAtee, and Nico O'Reilly knocking on the door.
In defence, we have a quality new LB that will be eager to prove his worth. Looked great in the CWC. We have Dias who I have no doubts will look back to his best alongside Gvardiol. We have Stones and Ake who are still elite when available, and we have the depth to keep them around for the ceilings they offer. Akanji another lad who is more than capable of playing minutes in certain matches. Add in some of the worlds best CB prospects in Khusanov, Bah, and Reis who could step-in and become world class at any moment. And cannot forget Nunes and Rico. Nunes took a massive step last season, and who's to say he won't do it again when everyone else's form improves? He played a new position and played it to a high level by the end of the season. People here giving City crap for not signing a right back, but the market is thin and I'm sure its not for a lack of trying. How many right backs are available that are truly a step-up from Nunes? That number is much smaller than some on here seem to think. Rico is useful in that he's versatile, and he's still only 20 years old. I don't think he becomes a world beater due to his physical deficiencies, but he can still be an elite player for us. Top lad.
We just signed Trafford in goal to fight with Ederson over the number one. I'm sure he is rearing to prove himself. Oh, and we have Pep Guardiola. We should be excited and optimistic going in the new season. 4 Prems in 5 years, and 6 in 8 years. We are still the giants. Liverpool have their work cut out for them if they want to take the throne.
Bring it on.
View attachment 164094
Jealousy is not an enviable traitIt’s not only on the media, do you not see how everyone gangs up on the Man City fan representative on the overlap, it could be Buvey, Big Steve, the younger lad, every episode is carragher, scholes, United fans, Chelsea fans etc all team up just attacking City. The hatred from the media, the fa and fan channels is insane
Our centre midfield options season after next will be Rodri ,Gonzalez, Reijnders, Foden, Cherki, quite possibly one or more of O’Reilly, Nypan, Echeverri. If we don’t think any of those are good enough we may well bring another one in, decide next summer though no need to worry about it now. For what it’s worth I think Nypan with the right loan has a very good chance of being part of our midfield group in 26/27.I'm sure they do, just not sure it's here.
If we are in a position where we are potentially losing up to 4 center mids next summer, we can't be going with 19-20 year old kids who haven't had a lick of serious top-level football.
If they both go out on loan and become world beaters, happy to entertain that. But I'd rather ship Gundo out and another out this summer, and bring one in now, so we only need 1-2 next year, maybe even none if both these guys end up doing great on loan and can show they can play now.
That's the issue, those are all very attacking options minus Rodri, who is coming off a major knee injury.Our centre midfield options season after next will be Rodri ,Gonzalez, Reijnders, Foden, Cherki, quite possibly one or more of O’Reilly, Nypan, Echeverri. If we don’t think any of those are good enough we may well bring another one in, decide next summer though no need to worry about it now. For what it’s worth I think Nypan with the right loan has a very good chance of being part of our midfield group in 26/27.
As for this season we’ll most likely move one maybe both Gundogan and Kovacic but we still wouldn’t have room for another centre midfielder.
I just can’t see us going for another CB mate unless an unexpected number leave.More than a RB imo is the need for a commanding CB pairing that has everything in it.
Maybe Viana already accounted for that with Reiss and Khusonov? And maybe Pep has every intention to utilise them this season.
But until that is sorted I don't think we improve greatly because we'll keep getting caught out.
(Hoping that Pep fixes our attack which was so blunt last year with the help of Viana's signings)
We’ve played for years with little more than Rodri a 6 and Kovacic /Gundogan as the 8, having Rodri, Gonzalez, Reijnders, O’Reilly for the 6 and 8 is more depth than we’ve had before. Foden and Cherki are the only 10s . If they come back Nypan would be a box to box 8, Echeverri another option in the 10.That's the issue, those are all very attacking options minus Rodri, who is coming off a major knee injury.
I would want someone Fernandinho-esque who can put in challenges, and kind of mop up counterattacks, while also being a box-to-box player.
His antics? His off the field stuff has never affected City. You could have just left it at his wages.Tolmie on Twitter suggesting Forrest want us to buy MGW rather than spurs and I am sure he said they where interested in McAtee
Burnley being suggested as an option for Ortega
They would be great deals for all concerned players get football we raise funds and get the players we want and rid of players we don’t want we solve our home grown problems. The clubs get good money and ideal replacements
Tijjani Reijnders
Rayan Cherki
Rayan Ait-Nouri
Sverre Nypan
Trafford
MGW
Marcus Bettinelli
What a window
Hard to work out out goings
But no Kyle and his antics and wages
Good money for McAtee, Ortega, Couto, Perrone some youth players and I assume at least one other midfielder
Definitely - I love Haaland but Aguero was a way better player. Finishing was off the scale.Blonde hair Aguero?! Fucking hell.
No. Aguero was ALWAYS Aguero. The only reason he didn't do Haaland numbers is because his injury record was atrocious. Even in his best seasons he was out for significant chunks. Haaland is phenomenal, but Aguero created chances out of nothing and finished angles that were impossible. I have never seen Haaland just decide to win a game like Aguero would. I love Haaland but he needs service in a way Aguero didn't.
Aguero is actually underrated because he is rated highly in general, but he's better than even that.
@tolmie's hairdooDoes Tolmie still post here?
And do we have anybody else who possibly has abit of inside info?
Great seeing posts like this every now and then. Fully agree. Wirtz is obviously a game-changer for them, and the same can be said about Isak if they get him. Liverpool will certainly be strong this season, but Alisson is 32, Salah is 33, and Van Dijk is 34. That's 3 players that are currently best in the world at their positions, that may fall off in the very near future.
Behind Virgil, we have the best centerback in the league in Gvardiol. We have the best midfielder in Rodri. And the best striker in Haaland. And to accompany this, we have quality and depth in each facet of the pitch:
In attack, we have two other world class forwards with a chip on their shoulders in Marmoush and Foden. We have an attacking supporting cast of Cherki, Doku, Savio and Bobb who could take the leap to becoming superstars at any moment. All amazing profiles at young ages with massive ceilings.
In midfield, Reijnders looks absolutely ace, and having Nico G as an understudy is phenomenal. Add in the depth of Bernardo, Kovacic, and Gundo and that to me is as good as anyone. Plus we have Echeverri, Nypan, McAtee, and Nico O'Reilly knocking on the door.
In defence, we have a quality new LB that will be eager to prove his worth. Looked great in the CWC. We have Dias who I have no doubts will look back to his best alongside Gvardiol. We have Stones and Ake who are still elite when available, and we have the depth to keep them around for the ceilings they offer. Akanji another lad who is more than capable of playing minutes in certain matches. Add in some of the worlds best CB prospects in Khusanov, Bah, and Reis who could step-in and become world class at any moment. And cannot forget Nunes and Rico. Nunes took a massive step last season, and who's to say he won't do it again when everyone else's form improves? He played a new position and played it to a high level by the end of the season. People here giving City crap for not signing a right back, but the market is thin and I'm sure its not for a lack of trying. How many right backs are available that are truly a step-up from Nunes? That number is much smaller than some on here seem to think. Rico is useful in that he's versatile, and he's still only 20 years old. I don't think he becomes a world beater due to his physical deficiencies, but he can still be an elite player for us. Top lad.
We just signed Trafford in goal to fight with Ederson over the number one. I'm sure he is rearing to prove himself. Oh, and we have Pep Guardiola. We should be excited and optimistic going in the new season. 4 Prems in 5 years, and 6 in 8 years. We are still the giants. Liverpool have their work cut out for them if they want to take the throne.
Bring it
Who would you go for I like the kid from Brighton baleba is that is name something like thatThat's the issue, those are all very attacking options minus Rodri, who is coming off a major knee injury.
I would want someone Fernandinho-esque who can put in challenges, and kind of mop up counterattacks, while also being a box-to-box player.
And we defo don’t have a RBThat’s all very well, but we don’t have that depth at all as currently some of those players have to be sold or loaned out to stay within squad limits.
Spot onBlonde hair Aguero?! Fucking hell.
No. Aguero was ALWAYS Aguero. The only reason he didn't do Haaland numbers is because his injury record was atrocious. Even in his best seasons he was out for significant chunks. Haaland is phenomenal, but Aguero created chances out of nothing and finished angles that were impossible. I have never seen Haaland just decide to win a game like Aguero would. I love Haaland but he needs service in a way Aguero didn't.
Aguero is actually underrated because he is rated highly in general, but he's better than even that.