The Squad planning thread

[simon23]

i got it, Semenyo is not techie baller we are used to, but he's profile is goal scorer and he so far he is fulfilling he's role perfectly

i doubt we will sell RAN after one year, there is a great player in there, and i think he is a player Maresca would love

Marmoush - i heard that Enzo wants to keep him from LB and Martins co-stream

Dias, for me, is indeed in interesting situation - Khusanov might get a bigger role and i doubt City would like to keep him on such huge wages

Alleyne, Mukasa - on loan 100%

Reijnders in the same situation as RAN, although if offer comes, i think City will accept it

Lewis, Kova Ake, Sav - yea, i think they are gone

i also think Nico.G will be gone

We agree on Semenyo but to take us towards the top again if he is to be a regular starter he has to improve his technical ability or he wont survive out-wide for us - he is never replacing Haaland centrally that is obvious while Haaland is here. We have already seen you cannot play them both centrally - it simply doesnt work and looked shit.

RAN is great going forward but is defensively suspect to the point of criminal at times...Ive watched him a number of time simply give up running - that is not acceptable by any player in any position - it points towards a poor attitude and one we cannt afford - changeable if the player wants to but there is a reason he was kept out of the starting 11 by a young kid playing out of position! - Technically he is fantastic there is no denying that but when attacking he gets into great positions but final ball or shot lets him down badly.

Marmoush is a good player - no doubt - BUT he doesnt fit...he isnt a wide player and he certainly cannt play number 10 - his poor first touch makes him unplayable in that position and again like Semenyo he aint playing centrally over Haaland and unlike Semenyo he isnt decent outwide.

Dias has the leadership qualities but that is al he has over the other choice centre halves. I also think we lack any aerial dominance at centre half....previous witht he likes of Kompany Stones Laporte we had it - now none of our centre havles have this - what is Victor Reis like at this????? It is certainly something we need in both boxes.

Reijnders should never be allowed to pull on a city shirt again - i didnt think his performances could get anyworse than they were in mid season BUT even with the team playing better he is still simply awful - he literally offers nothing and ghosts through games occasionaly popping up with a goal or a shot. There is zero defensive work/input from him, no fight and he hides - again he shouldnt be allowed to pull on a city shirt unless he is going to have a complete character and attitude overhaul.

Nico G is a strange one - I think he deserves more time but could see why he would go - HOWEVER )and ive been saying this since Rodri returned) - Rodri will never be the player he was ever again...is he still world class - yes but the down turn has started and whether he leaves before that happens to Madrid or not we abslolutely need a replacement and Nico G aint a bad one - not perfect by any stretch but he is decent - we do however need a number 6 to compete .
The ones you say are gone I really hope they are...none are good enough. I feel sory for Ake as he for me deserve the treatment that Stones and Bernardo righfully got as he is an absolutel warrior but he is now way passed his prime.

Alleyne aint good enough at this level and never will be....Mukasa has lower division/mmid table prem at best written all over him as well.

 

[Tb1981]

I think the club will announce new deals for Rodri and Foden in next few days
Then get Anderson sorted
Would be ideal time to bring Fernandinho and zabaletta back to the club
With so many legends leaving I think we need to keep our core identity while new leaders emerge

 

[bell_mcfc]

I think the club will announce new deals for Rodri and Foden in next few days
Then get Anderson sorted
Would be ideal time to bring Fernandinho and zabaletta back to the club
With so many legends leaving I think we need to keep our core identity while new leaders emerge

I wonder if thats why Ferna was there. Yeah it's great to come back and celebrate but only others were Gundo and Eddie who were given send offs.

 

[ALDN_Ko]

i think maresca will be given plenty of money to spend , could be a very interesting summer

Hopefully we sign everyone we need and release all the players we need to

 

[oldius]

Big summer for Viana this.

The club has spent around 450m in the last 18 months (even if there is some debate if last years January window was on him or Txiki, I would assume all of the transfers were done with input from Vianas and not against his will).
It's hard to argue the club has seen an improvement anywhere close to what you could expect from that kind of investment.

65m on Marmoush
52m on Nico
32m on Reis
13m on Nypan
2m on Bettinelli
27m on Trafford
32m on Ait-Nori
48m on Reijnders
=
271 million spent in around 12 months on players who are, at best, fringe players in our squad.
This summer its time to start delivering players who will make a real difference or its time to start asking some serious questions.

We must look at the club in the round.
Players like Trafford and Reis have massive potential value to the club, and for some reason you haven't included Cherki, Semenyo, nor Guehi. At the same time, our average squad age has fallen from 29 to 24, and will fall further with the departure of JS and Bernardo.

Premier League - Transfer income and expenditures

This statistic shows, which clubs of the Premier League in the seasons 24/25 to 25/26 had the highest transfer expenditures and/or transfer incomes.

www.transfermarkt.co.uk

I would simply say that time will tell.

 

[kingn6]

Semrnyo needs to improve on the ball, even if you play him as a CF, he still needs to have basic ball control. Foden does need to improve, improving consistency is a thing. Never said he needs to improve ability.

This something that Dzeko and Håland lack as well. Hålland needs to improve his striking, his movement variation on crosses.

Donnarumma needs to improve his kicking technique, anticipation on crosses, robustness on crosses.

Fodes was very consistent it is just mental or physical thing. He was POTY for a reason.

All players City have had or have need to improve something. Closes players to perfection were Yaya, kdb and Rodri.

 

[ALDN_Ko]

This something that Dzeko and Håland lack as well. Hålland needs to improve his striking, his movement variation on crosses.

Donnarumma needs to improve his kicking technique, anticipation on crosses, robustness on crosses.

Fodes was very consistent it is just mental or physical thing. He was POTY for a reason.

All players City have had or have need to improve something. Closes players to perfection were Yaya, kdb and Rodri.

Haaland’s lack of ball control gets him 40 goals a season so I don’t mind. So Semenyo needs to reach at least 35GA in a City shirt with his lack of ball control for fans to not mind. If he reaches that, I will have no complaints

 

[kingn6]

Haaland’s lack of ball control gets him 40 goals a season so I don’t mind. So Semenyo needs to reach at least 35GA in a City shirt with his lack of ball control for fans to not mind. If he reaches that, I will have no complaints

It is the same logic with Semenyo he scores big goals and plenty of them. There is no way Håland would have scored that goal at Wembley. When Håland is off it not involved the he is ivisble. That is hardly the case for a striker like Kane or Aguero.

Both these players have real flaws in their game but are elite in others. There are however very few strikers or wingers with the goalscoring ability of these two.

 

[Earlyriser]

We agree on Semenyo but to take us towards the top again if he is to be a regular starter he has to improve his technical ability or he wont survive out-wide for us - he is never replacing Haaland centrally that is obvious while Haaland is here. We have already seen you cannot play them both centrally - it simply doesnt work and looked shit.

RAN is great going forward but is defensively suspect to the point of criminal at times...Ive watched him a number of time simply give up running - that is not acceptable by any player in any position - it points towards a poor attitude and one we cannt afford - changeable if the player wants to but there is a reason he was kept out of the starting 11 by a young kid playing out of position! - Technically he is fantastic there is no denying that but when attacking he gets into great positions but final ball or shot lets him down badly.

Marmoush is a good player - no doubt - BUT he doesnt fit...he isnt a wide player and he certainly cannt play number 10 - his poor first touch makes him unplayable in that position and again like Semenyo he aint playing centrally over Haaland and unlike Semenyo he isnt decent outwide.

Dias has the leadership qualities but that is al he has over the other choice centre halves. I also think we lack any aerial dominance at centre half....previous witht he likes of Kompany Stones Laporte we had it - now none of our centre havles have this - what is Victor Reis like at this????? It is certainly something we need in both boxes.

Reijnders should never be allowed to pull on a city shirt again - i didnt think his performances could get anyworse than they were in mid season BUT even with the team playing better he is still simply awful - he literally offers nothing and ghosts through games occasionaly popping up with a goal or a shot. There is zero defensive work/input from him, no fight and he hides - again he shouldnt be allowed to pull on a city shirt unless he is going to have a complete character and attitude overhaul.

Nico G is a strange one - I think he deserves more time but could see why he would go - HOWEVER )and ive been saying this since Rodri returned) - Rodri will never be the player he was ever again...is he still world class - yes but the down turn has started and whether he leaves before that happens to Madrid or not we abslolutely need a replacement and Nico G aint a bad one - not perfect by any stretch but he is decent - we do however need a number 6 to compete .
The ones you say are gone I really hope they are...none are good enough. I feel sory for Ake as he for me deserve the treatment that Stones and Bernardo righfully got as he is an absolutel warrior but he is now way passed his prime.

Alleyne aint good enough at this level and never will be....Mukasa has lower division/mmid table prem at best written all over him as well.

The other thing that I've noticed is that RAN he's a chicken as he often pulls out of tackles he should make. Not a characteristic you want in a full-back

 

[ALDN_Ko]

The other thing that I've noticed is that RAN he's a chicken as he often pulls out of tackles he should make. Not a characteristic you want in a full-back

That period of games he started, he had the most duels won in the PL for that week (or month, I can’t remember)

 

[Earlyriser]

That period of games he started, he had the most duels won in the PL for that week (or month, I can’t remember)

his longest run of games in the PL has ben four of which we lost 2

 

[ALDN_Ko]

For anyone talking about how RAN needs to be moved on, guess which one is the must sell in RAN and the must buy in Lewis Hall?




This is RAN compared to the so called best LB itl

 

[akrh215]

We need to be ruthless and smart in this Windows. It’s going to be a massive one for us. We need to sign world-class players if we want to dominate again.

The midfield is our biggest weakness right now, and sorting it out must be our number one priority. Whether Rodri stays or goes, we absolutely need 2 or 3 world-class players in there. Let’s be honest, Kovacic, Nico G, and Reijnders are just mediocre. We are not dominating anyone with them, and it’s time to shift them on.

Elliot Anderson is a no-brainer for me, we need him. And if Enzo Fernandez is available, we should break the bank for him. A midfield with them would immediately become elite. If Rodri ends up leaving, we have to add Tonali to the list as well.

We also need a young, high-potential right-back to develop behind Nunes. As for Savio. The guy has been shocking, we need to sell him ASAP. Replace him with a young, exciting winger who has world-class potencial. This window is critical. No more mid player, we must go all out for pure quality. Now that Pep is gone, we have to back the new manager with proper, top-tier signings

 

[Gumzy97]

For anyone talking about how RAN needs to be moved on, guess which one is the must sell in RAN and the must buy in Lewis Hall?

View attachment 193264


This is RAN compared to the so called best LB itl

View attachment 193265

I would say to compare Cucurella stats last season to Ait Nouri this season as that’s the season where Cucurella had a full season with Maresca. Give us a better comparison

 

[bell_mcfc]

I like the idea of Enzo or another player similar to pair with Rodri and Anderson. Personally I think Nico OR is the player.

I think when Kev left we lost not only an incredible play maker but a huge physical presence in the middle that Cherki and Foden can’t replace and we definitely get over run in some games. Bernie has always been immense but this season showed how much extra work he picked up.

 

[simon23]

The other thing that I've noticed is that RAN he's a chicken as he often pulls out of tackles he should make. Not a characteristic you want in a full-back

yup.......not a lot of spine in that lad Im afraid..NOR is starting left back for a reason

 

[David Silva]

For anyone talking about how RAN needs to be moved on, guess which one is the must sell in RAN and the must buy in Lewis Hall?

View attachment 193264


This is RAN compared to the so called best LB itl

View attachment 193265

He’s had a fairly disrupted season with injury, AFCON, plus the emergence of NOR to contend with. I think we will see much more of RAN next year. Maresca wanted NOR for his midfield at Chelsea, so i won’t be surprised to see him in there for us a bit next season which opens things up a bit at LB.

 

[Ken92]

The other thing that I've noticed is that RAN he's a chicken as he often pulls out of tackles he should make. Not a characteristic you want in a full-back

That is sadly a trait a lot of our current players have, they are afraid or not strong enough to win 50-50 balls.

 

[ALDN_Ko]

I would say to compare Cucurella stats last season to Ait Nouri this season as that’s the season where Cucurella had a full season with Maresca. Give us a better comparison

Both comparisons are for 24/25 for Cucurella

 

[Matt.D]

We agree on Semenyo but to take us towards the top again if he is to be a regular starter he has to improve his technical ability or he wont survive out-wide for us - he is never replacing Haaland centrally that is obvious while Haaland is here. We have already seen you cannot play them both centrally - it simply doesnt work and looked shit.

RAN is great going forward but is defensively suspect to the point of criminal at times...Ive watched him a number of time simply give up running - that is not acceptable by any player in any position - it points towards a poor attitude and one we cannt afford - changeable if the player wants to but there is a reason he was kept out of the starting 11 by a young kid playing out of position! - Technically he is fantastic there is no denying that but when attacking he gets into great positions but final ball or shot lets him down badly.

Marmoush is a good player - no doubt - BUT he doesnt fit...he isnt a wide player and he certainly cannt play number 10 - his poor first touch makes him unplayable in that position and again like Semenyo he aint playing centrally over Haaland and unlike Semenyo he isnt decent outwide.

Dias has the leadership qualities but that is al he has over the other choice centre halves. I also think we lack any aerial dominance at centre half....previous witht he likes of Kompany Stones Laporte we had it - now none of our centre havles have this - what is Victor Reis like at this????? It is certainly something we need in both boxes.

Reijnders should never be allowed to pull on a city shirt again - i didnt think his performances could get anyworse than they were in mid season BUT even with the team playing better he is still simply awful - he literally offers nothing and ghosts through games occasionaly popping up with a goal or a shot. There is zero defensive work/input from him, no fight and he hides - again he shouldnt be allowed to pull on a city shirt unless he is going to have a complete character and attitude overhaul.

Nico G is a strange one - I think he deserves more time but could see why he would go - HOWEVER )and ive been saying this since Rodri returned) - Rodri will never be the player he was ever again...is he still world class - yes but the down turn has started and whether he leaves before that happens to Madrid or not we abslolutely need a replacement and Nico G aint a bad one - not perfect by any stretch but he is decent - we do however need a number 6 to compete .
The ones you say are gone I really hope they are...none are good enough. I feel sory for Ake as he for me deserve the treatment that Stones and Bernardo righfully got as he is an absolutel warrior but he is now way passed his prime.

Alleyne aint good enough at this level and never will be....Mukasa has lower division/mmid table prem at best written all over him as well.

I agree with a lot of your points but Nico G is crap. As I said in another thread he’s not very good on the ball and he’s slow. Not agile and can’t take the ball to feet under pressure. Wouldn’t start for mid table PL clubs. Needs to be sold. Pep knew this and it was obvious. Go back to the continent in a slower league and maybe he can play the box to box role he did at Porto. Will never make it here very similar to Javi Garcia, tries hard but not good enough.