Gabriel
Well-Known Member
I would expect the former to go and the latter perhaps, though I think much will depend on how smoothly other business goes.They may, but I'm not expecting Nunes or Kovacic to go.
I would expect the former to go and the latter perhaps, though I think much will depend on how smoothly other business goes.They may, but I'm not expecting Nunes or Kovacic to go.
I would hope the former would go, possibly as make-weight for Paqueta, & I wouldn't be averse to Kovacic being sold either.I would expect the former to go and the latter perhaps, though I think much will depend on how smoothly other business goes.
I actually think we’d be more likely to keep Nunes over Kovacic. Nunes obviously younger and rumour has it that Kova could have an offer from Saudi in the summer.I would hope the former would go, possibly as make-weight for Paqueta, & I wouldn't be averse to Kovacic being sold either.
At best we could keep Kova as a Squad player if that doesn't impinge on our foreign player quota to the detriment of bringing in better.
He's contracted through 2027 but I doubt his playing time would increase next season, especially if we signed Paqueta/Neves, and his staying then could also have an impact on the minutes Lewis receives. He's a soccer nomad who turns 30 next month, so he might be tempted by an offer from KSA, at which point we probably wouldn't stand in his way. I'm comfortable with him staying, but if other deals fall into place, I'm equally comfortable with him leaving.I would hope the former would go, possibly as make-weight for Paqueta, & I wouldn't be averse to Kovacic being sold either.
At best we could keep Kova as a Squad player if that doesn't impinge on our foreign player quota to the detriment of bringing in better.
Agreed - Kovacic was seemingly a stopgap and a very smart piece of business. I do seem to remember last summer thinking it was slightly odd we gave him a four year deal though, slightly excessive.He's contracted through 2027 but I doubt his playing time would increase next season, especially if we signed Paqueta/Neves, and his staying then could also have an impact on the minutes Lewis receives. He's a soccer nomad who turns 30 next month, so he might be tempted by an offer from KSA, at which point we probably wouldn't stand in his way. I'm comfortable with him staying, but if other deals fall into place, I'm equally comfortable with him leaving.
Helps for accounting purposes.Agreed - Kovacic was seemingly a stopgap and a very smart piece of business. I do seem to remember last summer thinking it was slightly odd we gave him a four year deal though, slightly excessive.
I start from,when Phillips and Cancelo come back, the squad is full. So who goes and who replaces them.I'd expect Phillips,Cancelo, Gomes out. Paqueta, a versatile DM, (Kimmich ?) , and a left back in.
After that it's a question of who else leaves,Bernardo think would need replacing with another wide player, but not sure he'll go. Ortega obviously a keeper, again would rather he stay.Not sure anyone else likely to leave this summer.
Which is it to be? :-)I would not rule out any or all of Bernado, Walker and KDB leaving. I could also envisage any of Alvarez, Kova and Nunes going. This is in addtion to who you mentioned.
Obviously, I'm not expecting massive changes but even allowing for Phillips and Cancelo as squad members, I'd like to see one or two more in the squad. I know Pep does not favour that but maybe he needs persuading.
Regardless of any of the foregoing, I feel we need to make the squad a bit stronger, which wion't be easy if KDB and or Bernie goes but this season's squad is not as good as last season's and that the club cannot afford to let that become a trend.
Kova is more use to City than Nunes. If we had to choose one to keep, it'd be Kova who will more likely accept a squad role.I actually think we’d be more likely to keep Nunes over Kovacic. Nunes obviously younger and rumour has it that Kova could have an offer from Saudi in the summer.
Which begs the question, what to do with Nunes who's had far less minutes & impact than Kovacic?He's contracted through 2027 but I doubt his playing time would increase next season, especially if we signed Paqueta/Neves, and his staying then could also have an impact on the minutes Lewis receives. He's a soccer nomad who turns 30 next month, so he might be tempted by an offer from KSA, at which point we probably wouldn't stand in his way. I'm comfortable with him staying, but if other deals fall into place, I'm equally comfortable with him leaving.