Wasn't that what i said. Someone to give Rodri a breather?
You may be over it. But he is still a financial and decision burden on the club. And we didn't pay significantly over the odds for him.
The issue is not whether any player can flop. We all get that ans understand it. What's at issue is overpaying for a player and hoping for the best..
No, Nunes wasn't a panic buy. He was 3rd choice, sure. But not a panic buy.
He got very few opportunities at Central midfield and he was fantastic in the few opportunities as a winger. Produced more assists and attacking play than players playing more minutes and with greater fan support.
Then he started vout slow at fullback, then grew into it as his confidence rose
We are not going through the whole season with juat Nunes as Right back. Rico Lewis is not chopped liver :)
No he isn't. His best games as a City player have come at RB. He is a Right back. Last season was just a poor season. For Everyone. Lewis is a fantastic inverted Right back. But a pretty capable traditional one too.
He is not a midfielder. He is a Rightbsck with the technical skills and intelligence of a midfielder. But he is a Right back.
1. I am confident in Rico and Nunes. I think they both fit well with the squad. Not the very best but as top team rotational players.
Tino to me is on the same level as the above 2. He is no Hakimi. He wont be a difference maker this season. Just another solid option. And Rico has AA good of a chance as Tino of developing into world class.
I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone wants to pay 80 million for another solid option at Right back when we already have 2.solid options .That's wild to me.
Now if you wanna pay 80 mil to get Hakimi, finr.
Or 10 - 30 mill for another solid option with top class potential. Im all in. But 80 mil ? No. Just no.
Archie Gray is a far better fit for us in my view. You . Wanna spunk some money?. Fine! Go pay 45-55 million for Archie Gray. It would be excessive but at least his potential as a footballer is World Class.
We got 45 million for Palmer. Who was a far better prospect than Livra is. Let that sink in
That said, if pressed for an answer, I'd sell Ortega, Akanji and Gundogan (all options currently on the table) and open up an option for any young Right back anywhere. Including the likes of Fresneda, Arnau, Martim, Alberto Costa, Givairo,, Juanlu etc. All of whom have good potential.
There is a trailer load ot up and coming Right backs. None of whom will cost above 35 million. Talk less more than double that?
80 mil for Lives is just poor management. If he ever becomes the absolute best Right back in the league. He still wont cost a penny over 80 million.
Tp suggest we should pay 80 million for a player who isnt the clear #1 right back in the world is a joke to me.
There no such thing as overpaying. The markets & availability sets the rates. The vendor charges what he believes is the maximum figure with negotiating wriggle room, & the buyer will offer the least he believes will be accepted, knowing he'll probably have to negotiate up. In the end, it's not what the player is worth (which is subjective), it's what he's worth to the buyer.
Whether a panic buy or whether way down the list of options, I personally never rated Matheus Nunes, & to underpin this, several members of this board reported that Wolves fans who they knew, & fans on Wolves forums couldn't believe we were interested in him at all, or the price we eventually paid.
That's all history. After the Paqueta transfer fell through, & Palace reportedly turned down our £60m offer for Ezé, City made a late bid for Nunes & Wolves snapped our hand off.
Evidently you rate Nunes very highly, which puts you in a minority. I don't, but again just like arsehole's, everyone's got an opinion too. HOWEVER, I'm more than happy to say that imo, Nunes has earned a reprieve because of his improving RB performances toward the end of last season, when we effectively had no one else.
But just as I was coming round to the idea that Nunes would be around longer than I'd initially hoped, a few media reports & ITK's have stated he (along with others), has been told they're free to leave if a suitable offer comes in.
In my opinion, we need to acquire a specialist RB,
BUT I'd be happy to see Matheus remain to challenge & rotate with a top class, long-term specialist full back. He's done enough in the last few months to deserve that.
As for Rico, he's an excellent player & a good RB. However, as Pep said, he just wishes he was taller & heavier. I don't see Rico's future as a full back, I see it in Central midfield.
He's only 20, but I see a level of awareness in his play that belies his years. Yes, we currently have better options centrally, so taking our time & building him up slowly in midfield is the correct pathway for him.
If you're
confident in a RB pairing of Rico & Matheus for the season, that's your business, as again I think that puts you in a minority, & for very good reason. I'm not, for the reasons I've stated above. Livramento (similar or above) & Nunes? I'd be happy with that & Rico getting minutes centrally.
I can't be arsed commenting on your list of alternatives or why you think Livramento isn't worth what Newcastle reportedly value him at, but needless to say, I think we just have different standards & expectations of City.
You're quite happy to settle for Matheus Nunes & Rico Lewis as our RB pairing in the PL & CL for the season. I'll leave it there...
