Marc Guehi | Leading target for City (p28)

[Coatigan]

I think we can blame Koeman for Ake looking to leave. Koeman has said that if Ake wants to play at the World Cup he will need to be playing at club

“We’ve talked about it. Something has to change,” said Koeman when explaining Ake’s inclusion in his latest squad despite the 30-year-old’s lack of minutes at the Etihad Stadium.

“You can’t hardly play and still be part of a national team. Match practice is part of that,” Koeman added”

Thanks. Not sure if Koeman is missing the irony of Ake playing well for us and then getting injured on international duty almost every time without fail, and then missing games for us as a result of that. Even Pep has commented on it before 'We are unlucky with Nathan and the international team; every time he goes there, he comes back injured.'

 

[bell_mcfc]

Thanks. Not sure if Koeman is missing the irony of Ake playing well for us and then getting injured on international duty almost every time without fail, and then missing games for us as a result of that. Even Pep has commented on it before 'We are unlucky with Nathan and the international team; every time he goes there, he comes back injured.'

Similar withe Stones as well albeit he also gets injured here.

Ake is great, has had his fair share of injuries but a lot of people forget he played with a foot injury last year before having surgery.

If he wants to go and we can find a great replacement I hope it happens and wish him all the best. He’s been immense for us over the years.

 

[Gabriel]

I think we can blame Koeman for Ake looking to leave. Koeman has said that if Ake wants to play at the World Cup he will need to be playing at club

“We’ve talked about it. Something has to change,” said Koeman when explaining Ake’s inclusion in his latest squad despite the 30-year-old’s lack of minutes at the Etihad Stadium.

“You can’t hardly play and still be part of a national team. Match practice is part of that,” Koeman added”

Blame or thank? Given the number of minutes they've missed, there can be no room for sentimentality in the cases of both Ake and Stones. We will need a fully fit and dependable squad from February through May, and despite what they have achieved, neither can be fully replied on. If both are off the books come July, we'll be in a healthier position.

 

[richards30]

Blame or thank? Given the number of minutes they've missed, there can be no room for sentimentality in the cases of both Ake and Stones. We will need a fully fit and dependable squad from February through May, and despite what they have achieved, neither can be fully replied on. If both are off the books come July, we'll be in a healthier position.

Viana is the perfect guy for that as he hasnt got the emotional attachment to these guys like Txiki maybe had?

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

I know logically this is a very good move. With stones and Ake both unreliable fitness wise and likely out the door in the summer replacing them with a consistent performing homegrown centre back seems ideal.

However, I can’t help feeling it kills the opportunities for the 3 young centre backs we signed in Jan, of which I feel all are exciting prospects in their own way. Khusanov is already struggling for the game time he needs and I don’t see Reis wanting to come back to sit on the bench. Bah’s loan hasn’t got well enough so far anyway so would expect a loan again for him regardless.

I guess that’s the ruthlessness of being a team wanting to challenge for everything.

The Association trained spots need to be filled with the best we can buy. Ake for Guehi is as good as we can do in that regard.

 

[johnny crossan]

The Association trained spots need to be filled with the best we can buy. Ake for Guehi is as good as we can do in that regard.

Wharton or Anderson would be better I'd say but if Ake left there'd be room for two.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Wharton or Anderson would be better I'd say.

They would replace Kalvin’s or Jack’s spot.

 

[johnny crossan]

They would replace Kalvin’s or Jack’s spot.

Currently we've got Bettinelli, Stones & Ake - I was presuming Jack won't be back and Kalvin would be gone - unless he puts in a star performance tonight of course ;-)

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Currently we've got Bettinelli, Stones & Ake - I was presuming Jack won't be back and Kalvin would be gone - unless he puts in a star performance tonight of course ;-)

Kalvin is in the PL squad, so is an AT player currently.

AT spots are harder to fill with quality, so the club has to move quickly when they perceive a player good enough becomes available.

Grealish potentially not having access to an AT spot would diminish his transfer fee as the buying clubs would wait until the last week of the window.

 

[johnny crossan]

Kalvin is in the PL squad, so is an AT player currently.

AT spots are harder to fill with quality, so the club has to move quickly when they perceive a player good enough becomes available.

Grealish potentially not having access to an AT spot would diminish his transfer fee as the buying clubs would wait until the last week of the window.

That reasoning took some digging out - impressive if rather dodgy! The idea that Kalvin wouldn't be be removed in January to make room for an incoming AT is a bit fanciful, as is the notion that Jack's position in our squad affects his saleability tbh.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

That reasoning took some digging out - impressive if rather dodgy! The idea that Kalvin wouldn't be be removed in January to make room for an incoming AT is a bit fanciful, as is the notion that Jack's position in our squad affects his saleability tbh.

Ake wants out. Therefore his spot is up for grabs.

Buying clubs will always drive the price down as much as they can and they would use Grealish’s lack of squad space as a catalyst to do that.

 

[richards30]

Could this happen quick?

 

[johnny crossan]

Ake wants out. Therefore his spot is up for grabs.

Buying clubs will always drive the price down as much as they can and they would use Grealish’s lack of squad space as a catalyst to do that.

Afraid not. Bettinelli is on a one year deal so that would allow us to keep Jack in an AT slot if the price wasn't right and Ake wanting out doesn't guarantee his departure if a decent deal isn't on offer. Guehi is desirable but not a priority - we've got four other CBs who can happily play on the left side and Mfuni on the rails.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Afraid not. Bettinelli is on a one year deal so that would allow us to keep Jack in an AT slot if the price wasn't right and Ake wanting out doesn't guarantee his departure if a decent deal isn't on offer, Guehi isn't a priority - we've got four other CBs who can happily play on the left side and Mfuni on the rails.

We shall see if you are right. I suspect you aren’t.

Pep doesn’t play centre backs under 22 unless they’re called Eric Garcia or we have an injury crisis.

 

[richards30]

Afraid not. Bettinelli is on a one year deal so that would allow us to keep Jack in an AT slot if the price wasn't right and Ake wanting out doesn't guarantee his departure if a decent deal isn't on offer. Guehi is desirable but not a priority - we've got four other CBs who can happily play on the left side and Mfuni on the rails.

If the opportunity has presented itself then we should beat our rivals to the punch?

 

[johnny crossan]

We shall see if you are right. I suspect you aren’t.

Pep doesn’t play centre backs under 22 unless they’re called Eric Garcia or we have an injury crisis.

We'll be seeing a couple tonight I reckon ;-)

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

We'll be seeing a couple tonight I reckon ;-)

Indeed, in a game he doesn’t care about winning much.

 

[waspish]

Could this happen quick?

What as in first week in January?

When was our first signing last January?

 

[Roachy]

Would Bobb be loan or permanent to palace

Not ready to give up on him just yet

There's a cracking little player in there, but he's got to step up now.

 

[johnny crossan]

If the opportunity has presented itself then we should beat our rivals to the punch?

No January incomings with substantial sales - it's all down to amortization I'm told by the learned contributors on here.