It's Quiet the £250m return

[Tier2Blue]

Looking for positives - at least we didn’t throw money at a right back for the sake of it. Wait and get the right one in Jan or next summer. Lots of players will leave next summer, free up wages, hopefully 115 positively resolved and we can add the quality we need in certain positions and then look to challenge once again.

 

[Cobwebcat]

Esbrand and Phillips still to be moved on too.

 

[David Silva]

The vibe between the fans and club is probably the worst is ever been i reckon currently since the takeover?

No chance. Remember “you can stick your pellegrini up your arse” at the 2013 FA cup final?

 

[Gumzy97]

With the squad we've got especially defensively we are going to be on the end of some batterings. Defensively we couldn't deal with Brighton, Arsenal put 5 past us last season it could be as bad as that this season. I'm dreading going to anfield with Rico/Nunes as the right back. We won't beat the top teams we might get a draw etc until it clicks.

We've played the top 6 21 times and only won 6 of those times, I dont see that changing this season as we haven't improved defensively at all. We will see a few 3 nil defeats but it's going to be a rough season. Transitional year, where I don't think we compete for anything being brutally honest. We will be around 3rd to 5th

A good defence wins you titles and trophies we havent got that. All of our title winning squads had a very good defence this is worst defence since Pep took charge. Still conceding the same type of goal we've conceded now for 12 months. Don't have any aspirations for this season just hope we play some nice football that's entertaining and the young players start to bed in.

 

[Tier2Blue]

I was perhaps a bit harsh to use the term 'deadwood' for some of them, but we are limited in terms of what we can get out of them now due to being injury prone and slightly past their prime.

They won't be the only departures. It wouldn't surprise me if the likes of Nunes, Nico G or Lewis were moved on. We'd be freeing up a lot of squad space and wages if all of those players were moved on.

We might integrate Echeverri and/or Reis, but with 115 and APT hopefully behind us by next summer, I think we could well bring in five top-draw signings.

My thoughts too - bring the average age and wage bill down and then add the dial shifters next summer. It’s a huge and career defining 12 months for viana - Txiki was kept too long and got too much wrong in the latter days so I am sure we will be far more ruthless with Viana if he doesn’t turn things around.

 

[PragueBlue]

I was perhaps a bit harsh to use the term 'deadwood' for some of them, but we are limited in terms of what we can get out of them now due to being injury prone and slightly past their prime.

They won't be the only departures. It wouldn't surprise me if the likes of Nunes, Nico G or Lewis were moved on. We'd be freeing up a lot of squad space and wages if all of those players were moved on.

We might integrate Echeverri and/or Reis, but with 115 and APT hopefully behind us by next summer, I think we could well bring in five top-draw signings.

My thoughts too. Also big seasons for Doku, Savinho and possibly Marmoush to show that they are worthy of their places in the squad.

 

[Blue Maverick]

My thoughts too - bring the average age and wage bill down and then add the dial shifters next summer. It’s a huge and career defining 12 months for viana - Txiki was kept too long and got too much wrong in the latter days so I am sure we will be far more ruthless with Viana if he doesn’t turn things around.

And who the fuck we bringing in next year if we don’t get CL and Pep might go?

 

[ChicagoBlue]

With the squad we've got especially defensively we are going to be on the end of some batterings. Defensively we couldn't deal with Brighton, Arsenal put 5 past us last season it could be as bad as that this season. I'm dreading going to anfield with Rico/Nunes as the right back. We won't beat the top teams we might get a draw etc until it clicks.

We've played the top 6 21 times and only won 6 of those times, I dont see that changing this season as we haven't improved defensively at all. We will see a few 3 nil defeats but it's going to be a rough season. Transitional year, where I don't think we compete for anything being brutally honest. We will be around 3rd to 5th

A good defence wins you titles and trophies we havent got that. All of our title winning squads had a very good defence this is worst defence since Pep took charge. Still conceding the same type of goal we've conceded now for 12 months. Don't have any aspirations for this season just hope we play some nice football that's entertaining and the young players start to bed in.

Yeah, but other than that…

 

[John Wayne]

My thoughts too. Also big seasons for Doku, Savinho and possibly Marmoush to show that they are worthy of their places in the squad.

Yes. I think Marmoush would be very difficult to shift but I think he's a good player with versatility. He's not had the chance to settle in any single position. It's felt a bit stop-start. I'm actually confident about him.

I think Savinho has a bit more time than Doku due to being younger and having only had one season. Relatively speaking though, he's on low earnings. We also know of one team that is very interested in him. He would not be hard to sell.

As for Doku, I think this really has to be the year that he kicks on. If truth be told, we're still watching the same player who arrived at the club two years ago. He'll have two years left on his deal next August. It might be the time to cash in. This year is most pivotal for him.

 

[jrb]

Ortega can sit tight on his contract. He doesn’t have to go anywhere. Train and collect his wages every week.

 

[BluestBlue]

So three players done and dusted before the cwc, then two keepers after and still not addressing the problem position of right back. Going to be a real long slog again this season where we will probably suffer some heavy defeats along the way

Incredibly bizzare.

The season literally hinges on hopes and prayers

 

[Coatigan]

So three players done and dusted before the cwc, then two keepers after and still not addressing the problem position of right back. Going to be a real long slog again this season where we will probably suffer some heavy defeats along the way

There should be no surprises then, or outrage when we lose games of football!

 

[spacecadet]

No chance. Remember “you can stick your pellegrini up your arse” at the 2013 FA cup final?

You're right. One of my worst days at a City match. 1974 LCF and 81 Cup Finals were awful. 2013 was toxic all day in our pubs then our 3/4 of the ground.

 

[Kippax77]

Yes. I think Marmoush would be very difficult to shift but I think he's a good player with versatility. He's not had the chance to settle in any single position. It's felt a bit stop-start. I'm actually confident about him.

I think Savinho has a bit more time than Doku due to being younger and having only had one season. Relatively speaking though, he's on low earnings. We also know of one team that is very interested in him. He would not be hard to sell.

As for Doku, I think this really has to be the year that he kicks on. If truth be told, we're still watching the same player who arrived at the club two years ago. He'll have two years left on his deal next August. It might be the time to cash in. This year is most pivotal for him.

Doku needs to regain that feel good factor of a goal assist or two.
It could do wonders for his game

 

[Eric Wirral]

So as it stands, assuming Ederson, Donnarumma, Akanji and Gundogan all complete their moves, we have 26 players. We have 17 NHG players including Ortega.

NHG
Donnarumma
Ortega
Nunes
Dias
Khusanov
Gvardiol
Ait-Nouri
Rodri
Bernardo
Kovacic
Reijnders
Nico Gonzalez
Cherki
Savinho
Doku
Haaland
Marmoush

HG
Bobb
Trafford
Foden
O'Reilly
Lewis

AT
Stones
Ake
Phillips

We have Kabore, Nypan, Echeverri, Reis, Akanji and Grealish out on loan.

We don’t know the status of Wilson-Esbrand and Mbete.

Make no mistake, this is a huge rebuild required and there is so much deadwood still with us on big contracts.

Also Juma Bah at Nice

 

[DMA's]

Just realised Arsenal have spent more (net) than Liverpool this summer!!

That is insane

 

[jabbar52]

I have no idea what Marmoush earns but capology are renowned for listing salaries that are pure fiction. Just ask anyone with some kind of insight in football financials like @slbsn

You may be right. Sky Germany reported €16-17m before he had signed as the salary. And if you google, lots of other sources say the same even if you disregard capology. The other city player salaries equally when you google ate reported in lots of sources.

 

[Marvin.]

I was perhaps a bit harsh to use the term 'deadwood' for some of them, but we are limited in terms of what we can get out of them now due to being injury prone and slightly past their prime.

They won't be the only departures. It wouldn't surprise me if the likes of Nunes, Nico G or Lewis were moved on. We'd be freeing up a lot of squad space and wages if all of those players were moved on.

We might integrate Echeverri and/or Reis, but with 115 and APT hopefully behind us by next summer, I think we could well bring in five top-draw signings.

Bettinelli was not on your list.

We are in transition now but I am happy that we have brought in Donnarumma (26), and Reijnders (27). I don't think it's realistic to bring in 4-5 top-draw signings per window. Such players are very difficult to find. Liverpool managed to extract Isak from Newcastle, and Wirtz. They did that as champions and had to break 2 English transfer records to do it. City were fortunate that Donnarumma fell into our hands, otherwise the window would have been a disaster. As it is, we are no closer to Liverpool and Arsenal. Arsenal spent over £250m net.

What Liverpool and Arsenal did was extraordinary. In the end Liverpool brought in two world class players, and City matched it. We had to bring in Donnarumma simply to retain credibility.

 

[John Wayne]

Just realised Arsenal have spent more (net) than Liverpool this summer!!

That is insane

They never sell anyone for any money. I think Oxlade-Chamberlain is their record sale for £35m in 2017. In fact, I think Anelka and Overmars are still in their top 10 sales.

 

[Marvin.]

Looking for positives - at least we didn’t throw money at a right back for the sake of it. Wait and get the right one in Jan or next summer. Lots of players will leave next summer, free up wages, hopefully 115 positively resolved and we can add the quality we need in certain positions and then look to challenge once again.

Is it really that difficult to look for positives when you sign Donnarumma and Reijnders. Reijnders is less obvious than Donnarumma but I am very impressed with him.