It's Quiet the £250m return

FromPollockToSilva said:
I don't know how realistic it is for us to lose too many more experienced heads in one summer. There is a human, cultural impact to making changes on that scale. You need the squad to evolve, of course, but having experienced leaders who can pass on the culture, the standards, that have defined Guardiola's City seems to be an overlooked aspect by many on here

These are lads who have gone through everything together. They've played, trained, traveled, won, and lost with each other. Coming into day one of training, the look and feel of the squad will already be very different. We've already lost some huge figures in the dressing room with KDB, Walker, Grealish (won't be rejoining the squad realistically after the CWC snub), Carson (obviously not a factor on the pitch but a big character in the squad), plus a few on the coaching side

Bernardo has been made captain specifically to be a standard bearer of what it means to play for this team. To instill those values and how we approach the game, both tactically and mentally. I don't think one more year of Bernardo, Stones et al providing that critical cultural link while our younger players settle in or get vital game time on loan is the disaster that many are predicting
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We had more than enough experienced players last season but in the end we won almost nothing. Experience can't win us trophies, but good players can.
 
I honestly do believe we're done in the market signings wise.

Trafford, Bettinelli, Ortega/Ederson

Lewis, Nunes, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, Ait-Nori, Stones, Ake, Akanji

Rodri, Gundogan, Bernardo, Kovacic, Gonzalez, O'Reily, Reijnders, Foden, Cherki

Bobb, Doku, Marmoush, Savinho

Haaland

That's 26 players obviously one more will need to depart and imo it'll either be one of Ake, Akanji or Gundogan and this is due to the foreign quota.

That gives Pep a very competitive 24 man squad as Bettinelli is sadly making up the numbers. On paper it looks awesome, if we can get a fit John Stones ( World Cup year) Foden and Rodri fired up we've more than a chance. Once our attacking players hit the ground running we've goals absolutely everywhere.

Reis, Wilson-Esbrand, Echeverri, Nypan, Phillips, Grealish & McAtee are all likely to be sold or loaned out.

Roll on Aug 16th :-)
 
In 2017, us fans all knew we needed a Goalkeeper, fullbacks, wingers. We bought in Ederson, Walker, Bernardo, also Mahrez and Laporte (in Jan) we went from 3rd to centurions. Now, we need GK, RB, CB, CM, KDB replacement and a top quality winger who’ll help lessen the burden on Erling, but I just don’t think we’ve done anywhere near as well. Ederson will probably still be a goalkeeper in 2026, Rico Lewis aka one of the weakest defensive fullbacks I’ve ever seen play in the league is still the RB, injury prone Stones will still be our second best CB, and no top winger or KDB replacement bought in either. Unless the rest of the league is absolute trash, it’ll be a miracle if we get 90+ points needed to win the league. If Pep wins the league with this team how it is now, considering how strong Liverpool are, it’ll be his second biggest achievement ever (first being winning the treble in his first year as a senior manager)
 
BluestBlue said:
I never once said I’m better than Pep. Nobody here is. I’m not a manager. I’m sure they’re a bunch of intangibles that go on behind the scenes for that winning formula.

I’m just a fan who’s watched every single game. Barely miss a game. I know how each player plays. I can recognises patterns. And my eyes don’t lie ta me.

everyone is entitled to their opinion. I’ll never police a fan. If you want to watch Gundo and Bernardo every game that’s your prerogative. I’m talking on MY behalf. I’d like to enjoy the football I watch.

I know some players still think they have a lot left in the tank like Walker still thought he was THAT guy even after the 4Peat. But I could see as someone who’s watched him for almost a decade that he’s lost it. The same can be said for many of our players.

If you want to compete with the best and win trophies, the team with the best players come out on top. I’m not asking for Mbappe and Hakimi but i’d like the players to have best environment to reach their potential.
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The replacement of the old guard is taking place, former captains Walker and KDB are out, but it need not be total. You need continuity to preserve the culture of success and winning mentality. I'm not against letting, say, Gundo go. I'm questioning the conviction of some posters that Pep doesn't understand what needs to be done, that is, that we need to replace more of the older players.

There's no fixed rule how to find balance between youth and experience in building a team, but there must be balance. Also, intelligence is key. One of the reason why many fans were sceptical about Gundo and Rodri several years ago was that they couldn't appreciate their intelligence due to overrating pace and aggressiveness. Legs are not enough to make it at the highest level. The head controls everything.
 
citytill1die84 said:
I honestly do believe we're done in the market signings wise.

Trafford, Bettinelli, Ortega/Ederson

Lewis, Nunes, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, Ait-Nori, Stones, Ake, Akanji

Rodri, Gundogan, Bernardo, Kovacic, Gonzalez, O'Reily, Reijnders, Foden, Cherki

Bobb, Doku, Marmoush, Savinho

Haaland

That's 26 players obviously one more will need to depart and imo it'll either be one of Ake, Akanji or Gundogan and this is due to the foreign quota.

That gives Pep a very competitive 24 man squad as Bettinelli is sadly making up the numbers. On paper it looks awesome, if we can get a fit John Stones ( World Cup year) Foden and Rodri fired up we've more than a chance. Once our attacking players hit the ground running we've goals absolutely everywhere.

Reis, Wilson-Esbrand, Echeverri, Nypan, Phillips, Grealish & McAtee are all likely to be sold or loaned out.

Roll on Aug 16th :-)
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I would tend to agree.
I don't think that we will sign anyone else, and I have no issue with that.
I do think that we will see some departures.
There's a fortnight before the first game and a month before the end of the window.
 
alexmcity said:
The replacement of the old guard is taking place, former captains Walker and KDB are out, but it need not be total. You need continuity to preserve the culture of success and winning mentality. I'm not against letting, say, Gundo go. I'm questioning the conviction of some posters that Pep doesn't understand what needs to be done, that is, that we need to replace more of the older players.

There's no fixed rule how to find balance between youth and experience in building a team, but there must be balance. Also, intelligence is key. One of the reason why many fans were sceptical about Gundo and Rodri several years ago was that they couldn't appreciate their intelligence due to overrating pace and aggressiveness. Legs are not enough to make it at the highest level. The head controls everything.
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True. The number of times I see pace mentioned here is scary. There are players blessed with pace throughout the leagues, but very, very few make it to the highest levels of the game.
 
alexmcity said:
The replacement of the old guard is taking place, former captains Walker and KDB are out, but it need not be total. You need continuity to preserve the culture of success and winning mentality. I'm not against letting, say, Gundo go. I'm questioning the conviction of some posters that Pep doesn't understand what needs to be done, that is, that we need to replace more of the older players.

There's no fixed rule how to find balance between youth and experience in building a team, but there must be balance. Also, intelligence is key. One of the reason why many fans were sceptical about Gundo and Rodri several years ago was that they couldn't appreciate their intelligence due to overrating pace and aggressiveness. Legs are not enough to make it at the highest level. The head controls everything.
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Last season was a case of the heads being willing, but the legs found wanting. It's about balance. We've more than enough experience across the forward, midfield & defensive lines to go around, if we lose more of the old guard.

Experience counts for nothing if it lies on the treatment table for the majority of the season, so can't be relied upon.
 
Dribble said:
Last season was a case of the heads being willing, but the legs found wanting. It's about balance. We've more than enough experience across the forward, midfield & defensive lines to go around, if we lose more of the old guard.

Experience counts for nothing if it lies on the treatment table for the majority of the season, so can't be relied upon.
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We won't be relying on them won't need to unless injuries hit,and if they don't wat to leave, then they don't want to leave.
 
blueparrot said:
We won't be relying on them. won't need to unless injuries hit, and if they don't want to leave, then they don't want to leave.
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You don't always get what you want. We need to do what's best for City, & not pander to the individual desires of players. This is what we did with KDB, albeit the situation was in our control because of Kev's expiring contract.

We're 12 months further on. Those fading legs that were on show last season won't miraculously start strengthening this season. Ole father time waits for no man...
 
Dribble said:
You don't always get what you want. We need to do what's best for City, & not pander to the individual desires of players. This is what we did with KDB, albeit the situation was in our control because of Kev's expiring contract.

We're 12 months further on. Those fading legs that were on show last season won't miraculously start strengthening this season. Ole father time waits for no man...
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Don't think you understand contracts.
 
blueparrot said:
Don't think you understand contracts.
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I've seen many a player sat on their arse getting splinters for a season after declining to move on. Philips?

Thankfully for us it's a World Cup season where most of these players want regular first team football to cement a place in their national squads.

Injury plagued Stones out for a small fee to Everton & Guéhi in?
 
Dribble said:
I've seen many a player sat on their arse getting splinters for a season after declining to move on. Philips?

Thankfully for us it's a World Cup season where most of these players want regular first team football to cement a place in their national squads.

Injury plagued Stones out for a small fee to Everton & Guéhi in?
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I think we are set for the future at CB mate as with Viana in charge now, Reis and Bah will be brought back to the fold and Khusanov is already here.
 
Dribble said:
I've seen many a player sat on their arse getting splinters for a season after declining to move on. Philips?

Thankfully for us it's a World Cup season where most of these players want regular first team football to cement a place in their national squads.

Injury plagued Stones out for a small fee to Everton & Guéhi in?
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As far as I can see, Stones and Everton aren't interested.
 
richards30 said:
I think we are set for the future at CB mate as with Viana in charge now, Reis and Bah will be brought back to the fold and Khusanov is already here.
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Reis & Bah will be on loan. Khusanov isn't fully trusted by Pep. There are question marks over Stones' & Ake's fitness, & Dias hasn't impressed me since the treble.

Add in Akanji's contract ending in 2027 & his age, & I think it's time we start our succession planning from now.

Gvardiol, Guéhi, Bah, Reis, Khusanov looks solid going forward for the next 5+ years.
 
blueparrot said:
As far as I can see, Stones and Everton aren't interested.
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There's 4-5 weeks of the window to go. I feel sorry for Stones, but as things stand, we all shit ourselves anytime he has to run or make a tackle, as we know what will likely come next... Weeks in the physio room.

He just can't be relied upon for a full season as things stand. With Pep's preference for a small squad, John's absences are even more acute for City.
 
citytill1die84 said:
I honestly do believe we're done in the market signings wise.

Trafford, Bettinelli, Ortega/Ederson

Lewis, Nunes, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, Ait-Nori, Stones, Ake, Akanji

Rodri, Gundogan, Bernardo, Kovacic, Gonzalez, O'Reily, Reijnders, Foden, Cherki

Bobb, Doku, Marmoush, Savinho

Haaland

That's 26 players obviously one more will need to depart and imo it'll either be one of Ake, Akanji or Gundogan and this is due to the foreign quota.

That gives Pep a very competitive 24 man squad as Bettinelli is sadly making up the numbers. On paper it looks awesome, if we can get a fit John Stones ( World Cup year) Foden and Rodri fired up we've more than a chance. Once our attacking players hit the ground running we've goals absolutely everywhere.

Reis, Wilson-Esbrand, Echeverri, Nypan, Phillips, Grealish & McAtee are all likely to be sold or loaned out.

Roll on Aug 16th :-)
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I thought Ake was association trained.
 
Dribble said:
Reis & Bah will be on loan. Khusanov isn't fully trusted by Pep. There are question marks over Stones' & Ake's fitness, & Dias hasn't impressed me since the treble.

Add in Akanji's contract ending in 2027 & his age, & I think it's time we start our succession planning from now.

Gvardiol, Guéhi, Bah, Reis, Khusanov looks solid going forward for the next 5+ years.
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I`d take Guehi and Palace hold an interest in Mcatee so if the fee for Guehi is £40m then we could do Mcatee to them (if he fancied it of course) for £30-35m and its a minimal net cost on the transfer.
 
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