Stones has been a magnificent player who would have started for Madrid or whoever. ditto Vincent. Otamendi has had a great career, Aymeric underestimated by many.
However whilst good Ake, Akanji and Dias are not at the level as those mentioned above.
Unfortunately all 3 are likely to be starting this season.
Re OtaDias has been absolutely class overall and has probably become underrated.
Definitely more consistent than Laporte (who I also liked) who would often make big mistakes in big CL games.
The idea that Otamendi was better than Dias is also pretty mental tbh. We were on our arses defensively with Otamendi at the back 19/20 until we got rid and brought in Dias....which then led us to 4 titles in a row and the treble.
Re Ota
Centurions season played 30 league games
Domestic treble 34 league games
126 games for Argentina
He was good alongside Kompany, as most often were, but often struggled when he had to lead the line. Agree he had a good season in the centurions season individually though which was by far his best.
Dias completely transformed our defense and was arguably the biggest factor in us regaining the league title from Liverpool. He's better on the ball and more consistent than Otamendi ever was - he also has a much higher peak performance. His form wasn't his best last season, but who's was?
Well li haven't seen a single solid link for Ake, Stones or Akanji (or Dias) to leave the club... so think that answers thatUnless (and I hope it’s this) it’s because nobody is biting at the other CBs.
People sometimes forget how important the Dias signing was. He’s not been as good since Walkers decline (or since he’s been with his current mrs) but other than last season was second only to Van Dijk as the leagues best centre back.He was good alongside Kompany, as most often were, but often struggled when he had to lead the line. Agree he had a good season in the centurions season individually though which was by far his best.
Dias completely transformed our defense and was arguably the biggest factor in us regaining the league title from Liverpool. He's better on the ball and more consistent than Otamendi ever was - he also has a much higher peak performance. His form wasn't his best last season, but who's was?
I rate both Ake and Stones as better footballers.Laporte is also a superior footballers. Ota is similar terms of styke and ability as Dias. However Dias was a much better organiser and leader 2nd only to Kompany.People sometimes forget how important the Dias signing was. He’s not been as good since Walkers decline (or since he’s been with his current mrs) but other than last season was second only to Van Dijk as the leagues best centre back.
Yes it was the shambles that cost us the final too with pep playing the old guardWas that the shambles that meant City went unbeaten for 14 games to qualify for the champions league at the end of last season? With the established players?
As @alexmcity said above - you wont compete at the level with a team of kids - you need the balance. No doubt Reis is one for the future but I suspect Khusanov is the one that will be brought though this year with the experienced players then Reis will be next year.
A first choice of inexperienced Reis and Khusanov would be the mistake (in my opinon).
I note the comment above about Fergie winning with kids but that 92 team had Cantona, Hughes, Mcclair, Ince, Robson, Kanchelksis, Irwin, Bruce etc in the side to bring the balance.
You know had Pedri and Yamal been at city , these lot would have said they are not ready and should be sent on loanYes it was the shambles that cost us the final too with pep playing the old guard
Or they could play, like Rico, and get pelters from imbeciles. I'm afraid the judgement of many fans is highly questionable.You know had Pedri and Yamal had been at city these lot would have said they are not ready and should be sent on loan
You know you have no idea at all whether that is true or not. Can you share the players who are/were at city that are the level of those two?You know had Pedri and Yamal been at city , these lot would have said they are not ready and should be sent on loan
I’dYou know had Pedri and Yamal been at city , these lot would have said they are not ready and should be sent on loan
really? The shambles of ‘old guard’ that was unbeaten in 14 games with an injury ravaged squad to qualify for the champions league?Yes it was the shambles that cost us the final too with pep playing the old guard
Maybe you are rightOr they could play, like Rico, and get pelters from imbeciles. I'm afraid the judgement of many fans is highly questionable.
There is just balance to everything. Nobody reaches our first-eleven without significant attributes, and every young player has development needs that time playing is the best help towards. If we want young players in the team, and most do, then we need to be patient and allow them to learn as they go. They will make mistakes - every player does - but have your eye on the end-game: we could end up with a local lad, desperate to make it with his own team, who becomes a top, top player.Maybe you are right
This place wanted club to Sign Rashford and Pogba and called Phillips a key player and one who could easily replace Rodri
Or they could play, like Rico, and get pelters from imbeciles. I'm afraid the judgement of many fans is highly questionable.
Yes that oneI’d
really? The shambles of ‘old guard’ that was unbeaten in 14 games with an injury ravaged squad to qualify for the champions league?
A good few of the " old guard" were missing games in our end of season.I’d
really? The shambles of ‘old guard’ that was unbeaten in 14 games with an injury ravaged squad to qualify for the champions league?
Comparing Lewis to Pedri and Yamal?
Again, not rating Lewis isn't the same as hating him and the posters criticising his ability are not imbeciles.
I'd argue that some of those criticising him are. Not all obviously. But some.....
The way I see it is, if Pep is happy to continue to pick him, then feel free to criticise but at least have a good argument - because you're basically calling the best manager of all time wrong. Yes, he does get some things wrong, but too many just parrot criticism from others without care whether or not there's any accuracy in it.
I guess that's the world today though.
I don't rate him I really don't and I don't exactly run with the crowd and am not big on group think, fair enough there are morons in our fan base who don't like him because others don't like him but they're pretty much the exception rather than the rule on here.
Comparing him to Pedri and Yamal however is pretty much peak stupidity and borderline delusional.