Centre Midfield

With the kids as backup to keep players fresh, & the ability to move players from other positions, or change formations to hurt the oppo, we had the best midfield squad in the country last season, by far, but a complete & utter clown in charge who insisted on playing two in there all season, one old & overweight, didn't give a fuck about the oppo & knackered Fernandinho out often chasing 5 players around on his own.

I imagine if Pep could have swapped Yaya or Fernando for younger, world class players, he would have. But we have the best available imo, Gundogan. I also imagine he sees our squad as very adaptable, especially when you add in the extra workrate potential of young players to give the squad more enery, then the class of kids like Garcia. Also in a Barca style team, players like Silva, Nasri, DeBruyne become options as a 3rd centre mid. In a rigid, outdated, pathetic, unfit, 442, no fucking chance. But in a more creative system, definitely.

If the right man becomes available he'll no doubt do it, but I imagine he's happy to make more signings this time next year, & work with what we have, which is an excellent bunch of top quality players imo.
 
The frustrating thing about only having 3 public preseason games is that we can only see so many players on the field.

In the 2 so far Garcia shone so I'm hoping Pep sees him as a genuine 1st team contender.

Zuculini didn't play a part so we have no clue on him. Maybe Pep really likes him too.

If there had been more games so far we'd have had more clues as to what's on Pep's head.

I'd prefer to utilize our young players if they are capable but I'd guess like most it'd feel a lot less risky if we signed one more marquee central midfielder. Someone with a mix of what Yaya and Nasri offer so either or both can leave. (Then again if we'd seen both playing together we might want to keep them)

It's a doozie!
 
This discussion completely ignores the squad list issue. As it stands we have 19 players, 20 for the CL were Nacho takes a place! I have also omitted Zinchenko on the assumption he will not make the cut and will go on loan! So if you think we need an additional midfielder you would need to cut between 3 and 6 players from the list below!

1 Caballero.
2 Kompany, 3 Mangala, 4 Sagna, 5 Kolarov, 6 Zabaleta 7 Otamendi
8 Gundogan 9 Fernando, 10 Fernandinho, 11 Yaya Toure, 12 Silva, 13 Navas, 14 Nasri, 15 De Bruyne,. 16 Nolito
17 Bony, 18 Aguero. 19 Sane, 20 Kelechi Iheanacho
(21 Zinchenko, 22 Bruno Zuculini).
 
Gaudion M said:
This discussion completely ignores the squad list issue. As it stands we have 19 players, 20 for the CL were Nacho takes a place! I have also omitted Zinchenko on the assumption he will not make the cut and will go on loan! So if you think we need an additional midfielder you would need to cut between 3 and 6 players from the list below!

1 Caballero.
2 Kompany, 3 Mangala, 4 Sagna, 5 Kolarov, 6 Zabaleta 7 Otamendi
8 Gundogan 9 Fernando, 10 Fernandinho, 11 Yaya Toure, 12 Silva, 13 Navas, 14 Nasri, 15 De Bruyne,. 16 Nolito
17 Bony, 18 Aguero. 19 Sane, 20 Kelechi Iheanacho
(21 Zinchenko, 22 Bruno Zuculini).
Click to expand...

For the Champions League we have a problem, but not for the Prem so much, as the young players all get a free pass as U21. When Stones arrives we then have another to consider.

But irrespective, it looks like two or 3 have to go.

But I suppose if they want to be on the bench in the Prem & not included in he Champs Lg squad, raher tham move on, it's their decision.
 
We also have Hart Delph Clichy and Sterling so if Stones arrives we cut the Non homegrown by one.
 
Neville Kneville said:
For the Champions League we have a problem, but not for the Prem so much, as the young players all get a free pass as U21. When Stones arrives we then have another to consider.

But irrespective, it looks like two or 3 have to go.

But I suppose if they want to be on the bench in the Prem & not included in he Champs Lg squad, raher tham move on, it's their decision.
Click to expand...

The prem rule is that under 21’s are unlimited so Nacho, Zinchenko and Sane would not be counted. Stones is 22 although PL does not differentiate between Club and Association Trained so in simple terms Stones fits within the 8 ‘English players’ list for the PL. However in the CL he would take one of 4 slots that are already filled so we would be creating a problem with the CL spaces! Denayer counts as club trained and is in all lists without a problem.

I think we need 4 out at least (Kolarov, Yaya, Nasri, Bony).
 
Neville Kneville said:
This would not surprise me.
Click to expand...
It's one of the reason why I think Pep's not going for any other CM other than Kroos. He knows it's close to impossible to getting him, but maybe he thinks it's either Kroos or nobody at all. Maybe he has the fallback plan which having Silva as CM. Silva and Xavi is pretty similar athletically, both relies on their smarts more than anything else. But then again, this is just speculation in my part, trying to guess what's inside Pep's head. I would also not be surprised if he promotes Aleix Garcia to play there. I mean he did pick Busquets who was a particularly unknown figure back then to replace Yaya (of all people).
 
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