And so it begins...

[BillyShears]

The basic issue here is we have a difference of opinion regarding the importance of the HG quota. You think I am wrong - i'm not. The fact is selling Milner and replacing him with a foreign player has consequences to our HG quota. That is a simple fact and that is my argument.

Actually mate your argument was that we absolutely won't be signing a foreign player due to our HG quota. You're wrong because you are seeing each position in isolation. We can sell a HG player as long as we sell a foreign player too, if we want to bring AN other foreign player in. As I've said above, it's totally conceivable the club choose to keep Rodwell and sell Garcia. Or it's conceivable that they'll sell Negredo and start the season with three forwards rather than four, to allow for another creative attacking midfield player.

Your argument is you believe we will sell a HG player and replace him with a foreign player. Let's ignore Di Maria or any other names, that's irrelevant at the moment.

I don't see how, going off your theory and on the basis we sell Sinclair, Rodwell and Richards, we can maintain the same squad size for each competition, meet the quota requirements, and maintain a similar level of ability in the squad (i,e not just declare a load of the EDS lads in the quota).

Each way I look at it, we have to replace HG players that we sell with other HG players, especially ones as prominent in the first team squad as Milner. Otherwise we will have to name a squad of about 20 (guessing) rather than 25.

Overall I don't dispute the idea that we HG quota need to be addressed. However we began by talking about the three incomings and outgoings and I made the comment that the only way i envisage another player coming in is if Milner leaves. Maybe what I should've said then is that I believe that the only way we'll see another incoming is if Milner and a foreign player goes. Thus ensuring we have more money to spend and ensuring the space in the squad is there.

Are we friends again :)

 

[Nixon_The_Bike_Thief]

it looks and sounds like he REALLY wants to leave and has asked the club to allow him to leave AND told them he won't sign a new contract.

Again, this is contradictory to what I have heard, now my understandings are all based on info picked up conversationally so certainly not based in any fact. What are your assumptions based on ? (not being awkward or undermining what you say, I just wish to know what it is based on. i.e. direct quotes from Jimmy ? Newspaper rumours ? Someone reliable that you know to have an "in" at the club ?)

 

[BillyShears]

it looks and sounds like he REALLY wants to leave and has asked the club to allow him to leave AND told them he won't sign a new contract.

Again, this is contradictory to what I have heard, now my understandings are all based on info picked up conversationally so certainly not based in any fact. What are your assumptions based on ? (not being awkward or undermining what you say, I just wish to know what it is based on. i.e. direct quotes from Jimmy ? Newspaper rumours ? Someone reliable that you know to have an "in" at the club ?)

I'd love to know what you've heard because I'm a big fan of Jimmy's. I'm basing that on several stories which appeared across the broadsheets and tabloids pre world cup saying that Milner had informed City of his desire to leave.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/18/arsenal-james-milner-manchester-city" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.theguardian.com/football/201 ... ester-city</a>

There's one above anyway. I guess from City's POV it comes down to one thing. If he isn't entertaining the idea of a new deal (again this was something which all the stories around this time stated) then do we allow a player of his value to go for free. He may not be world class but with a contract he's worth at least 20 million pounds if not more. That's a pretty big asset to be giving away.

 

[Wio Gumflapdinand]

Has it begun yet?

 

[bluechampion7891]

Milner won't be sold, he may be allowed to leave for free next season. Even if we sell him, we won't have enough money to buy a replacement, whether HG or foreign. Btw why do you want Milner to go so much. Hard worker, so versatile, rarely gets injured, HOMEGROWN, ideal squad player.

Also, he might not like it, but he is no Yaya. More like Tevez in that aspect that when on the pitch he will put in all effort.

Why do you choose to ignore the fact that we don't have space in the squad as thing stand for a foreign replacement?

You don't think Milner will be sold, and we'll let him go on a free. Fair enough.

I actually don't want him to go at all. However it looks and sounds like he REALLY wants to leave and has asked the club to allow him to leave AND told them he won't sign a new contract.

I'm not ignoring the fact that we don't have space for another foreign player, I'm looking at the other foreign players in the squad and making an educated guess that one or two will be leaving over the coming 12 months. On that basis since my opinion is that it's possible Milner will leave this summer, I'd hazard a guess that he'll be replaced by a foreign player this summer.

Just to give you one simple hypothetical. Since we've signed Fernando, why wouldn't we sell Garcia rather than Rodwell. Garcia is being valued at around 15 million pounds. If he were to go, and Milner were to go for the mooted 10 million then we're at the point where financially we can do a deal for a very good player to come in.

That is true and I believe we will sell Garcia regardless, because we already have 18 (after a CB comes in) foregin players. If we then sell Milner and want to replace him with a foreign player, we would need to sell another foreign player.

Btw I think Garcia is valued closer to 10 million than 15. i'd sell him without thought if 15m offer come in.

Also, for this season its really a balancing act. For e.g., what I mean is look at the injury prone nature of Rodwell, Sergio, Jovetic and to some extent Silva. It would put a lot of load on the remainder of the players if say Milner goes. He can fill in CM, RM, LM, so that gives us important option.

 

[Bruun]

Pogba apparently spotted in London = London boys? French like Nasri and Clichy + the obvious location

 

[TCIB]

Pogba apparently spotted in London = London boys? French like Nasri and Clichy + the obvious location

Come on you lurking hacks, confirm this please.

 

[LoveCity]

Pogba is linked very heavily with Chelsea right now and Juve owe Chelsea from that Mutu thing. Fabregas + Matic + Pogba = say it ain't so.

He might just be on holiday...

 

[TCIB]

Pogba is linked very heavily with Chelsea right now and Juve owe Chelsea from that Mutu thing. Fabregas + Matic + Pogba = say it ain't so.

He might just be on holiday...

Pogba to Chelsea eh, they really are looking a solid team, no flair in attack really but solid.
Exactly the sort of team you would associate with maureen.

 

[Bruun]

Pogba is linked very heavily with Chelsea right now and Juve owe Chelsea from that Mutu thing. Fabregas + Matic + Pogba = say it ain't so.

He might just be on holiday...

Just quessing + late post for 100 £ if Zaha comes, felt it was a suitable post.