Do you think there might be some games we would start Otamendi, Laporte and Stones, perhaps Stones as DM?JFE is a solid, boringly reliable 6.5-7/10 CB who will consistently perform at that level, making him decent for squad depth but nothing more. Pep will improve him, but his ceiling and floor aren't too far apart.
Laporte is a long term, say potentially 10 years, partner to John Stones at CB who already outperforms the former in terms of what is expected from a Guardiola player in the position. One would expect him to rotate not too infrequently with Otamendi or come on, ala Bernardo Silva, later on the game to keep him fresh. He's a future starter and another piece in the puzzle of young talent being stockpiled and trained under Pep, with an eye for sustained dominance.
I'd say the two aren't mutually exclusive, but I don't see any need for JFE if we bring in Laporte. JFE is a more consistent and considerably more divisive Mangala who is nothing more than a temporary plugin til we can find and get a Laporte.
What was he wrong about? Dani Alves agreed to join us. The club even had his announcement planned in America. He changed his mind at the last minute.
I think part of the attraction of Fred is he can cover at LB. He started his career there with the youth team.Not going to get my hopes up but if we pull this one off (along with Fred), we'll have an unbelievable squad. Maybe only a back left back short, although Delph, Fred, Zinchenko and Laporte could all cover there and maybe an attacker short. Not sure on the foreign quota either but we'd have a great squad.
Do you think there might be some games we would start Otamendi, Laporte and Stones, perhaps Stones as DM?
Apparently a fear of insufficient game time was a factor in him having a change of heart last time.
Quote from Laporte in MEN October 2016:
"“It wasn’t too early. It was just pros and cons - amount of time on the pitch, me recovering from injury."
You just need to look at his career even though is a French international he practically been brought up in the Basque Country which is fiercely patriotic . Remember last tome he would not because he would be homesick. Like I say love to see him at city but can’t see it . Think we should test the release fee thoughWhy would he not play out of Spain? He doesn't seem to mind playing for France.
We are getting off topic here, but I think the Alves situation was a major surprise/shock to Pep, Txiki and the club's hierarchy. I like Sam Lee he does a very professional job despite supporting the other side. I feel sorry for him when he gets stick from City fans when transfers fall through due to unforeseeable events.His follow up stories on that were wide of the mark though. Basically made out that our entire transfer strategy for the summer hinged on that one deal and that other signings wouldn't arrive. That didn't prove to be the case.
100 percent cannot see him coming in jan . This guy will not play outside of Spain I don’t think . Would love him at city as he is quality but think he will go Barca or Madrid . Like to test the water with minimum fee release clause though
I really hope it is true. Laporte and Fred would set us pretty much up for a while.Agree if this is true, haven't seen us this supposedly active in January since 2011.
Is this lad as good as most people seem to think, I have seen very little of him and I think I’m correct in saying he’s not been cappped for the full French team as of yet which is quite surprising.