Centre Midfield

[Bellamy's Caddy]

Gundogan, Dinho, Delph, Fernando, Yaya, Kdb, Silva, Nasri, A.Garcia, M.Garcia, Zinchenko....

Both Garcia's and Zinchenko are very young. Whilst it would be great for them to be involved we don't know with any certainty if they will be part of the squad this season. Also I wouldn't class KDB or Silva, and possibly Nasri as a central midfielder.

That would leave us with Fernandinho, Gundogan, Delph, Fernando and Yaya out of the established squad for central midfield positions. Fernandinho is already being earmarked to play in a different position, Delph likewise, while Gundogan is due back in early September. We have great options in the squad, with flexibility that by all accounts Pep requires, but personally I would like another established central midfielder to bolster the ranks. I think we would then be very well equipped for injuries, suspensions or loss of form.

One factor that may affect any decision on signing an extra midfielder is that Stones has been muted to play a defensive midfield role on occasions, if that is part of Pep's thinking he might not require another midfielder.

If the young lads are given a chance then great, Pep is used to bringing them through and by all accounts we have some very promising players on the brink of the first team. It'll be interesting to see what happens with comings and goings from now until the transfer window closes.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Sorry if this has already been asked but I thought U21s don't count in the CL either?

In the Prem, any fucker U21 (in Jan this year I think) is eligible. In the CL they have to have been registered at the club for (2? 3 ?) years in order to be registerd as U21.

So Denayer would be U21 & able to play in the CL (which is why it was so fucking ridiculously stupid to loan him out last season, don't get me stated ;) ) but Kelechi, Sane etc would have to take up a place as a senior player if selected for the squad.

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

Both Garcia's and Zinchenko are very young. Whilst it would be great for them to be involved we don't know with any certainty if they will be part of the squad this season. Also I wouldn't class KDB or Silva, and possibly Nasri as a central midfielder.

That would leave us with Fernandinho, Gundogan, Delph, Fernando and Yaya out of the established squad for central midfield positions. Fernandinho is already being earmarked to play in a different position, Delph likewise, while Gundogan is due back in early September. We have great options in the squad, with flexibility that by all accounts Pep requires, but personally I would like another established central midfielder to bolster the ranks. I think we would then be very well equipped for injuries, suspensions or loss of form.

One factor that may affect any decision on signing an extra midfielder is that Stones has been muted to play a defensive midfield role on occasions, if that is part of Pep's thinking he might not require another midfielder.

If the young lads are given a chance then great, Pep is used to bringing them through and by all accounts we have some very promising players on the brink of the first team. It'll be interesting to see what happens with comings and goings from now until the transfer window closes.

Where do you hink silva and kdb are gonna play hen? Up feont? If we play a 4 3 3, they will be midfielders. End of.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Both Garcia's and Zinchenko are very young. Whilst it would be great for them to be involved we don't know with any certainty if they will be part of the squad this season. Also I wouldn't class KDB or Silva, and possibly Nasri as a central midfielder.

That would leave us with Fernandinho, Gundogan, Delph, Fernando and Yaya out of the established squad for central midfield positions. Fernandinho is already being earmarked to play in a different position, Delph likewise, while Gundogan is due back in early September. We have great options in the squad, with flexibility that by all accounts Pep requires, but personally I would like another established central midfielder to bolster the ranks. I think we would then be very well equipped for injuries, suspensions or loss of form.

One factor that may affect any decision on signing an extra midfielder is that Stones has been muted to play a defensive midfield role on occasions, if that is part of Pep's thinking he might not require another midfielder.

If the young lads are given a chance then great, Pep is used to bringing them through and by all accounts we have some very promising players on the brink of the first team. It'll be interesting to see what happens with comings and goings from now until the transfer window closes.

Because we don't see Silva etc, as centre mids, doesn't mean a great manager can't see them there. Maybe he can ? In Silva's case, I think it might be his only chance of a long term future at the club. I can't see him keeping KDB, Sane, Jesus, Sterling, Moreno & all the kids such as Manu Garcia, Diaz etc out of the team in the attacking mid/forward positions for much longer.

Stones, Denayer, Angelino in a Lahm style role, are also possibliities under a manager willing to think outside the box. Then we have a winter transfer window & then next summer. I don't think the plan is for an instant team, we are building one.

 

[Bellamy's Caddy]

Where do you hink silva and kdb are gonna play hen? Up feont? If we play a 4 3 3, they will be midfielders. End of.

In a 433 I would think they would be the most advanced midfielder, with two central midfielders behind them. As the thread is about central midfielders I was talking about who might play in those positions.

 

[domalino]

Both Garcia's and Zinchenko are very young. Whilst it would be great for them to be involved we don't know with any certainty if they will be part of the squad this season. Also I wouldn't class KDB or Silva, and possibly Nasri as a central midfielder.

That would leave us with Fernandinho, Gundogan, Delph, Fernando and Yaya out of the established squad for central midfield positions. Fernandinho is already being earmarked to play in a different position, Delph likewise, while Gundogan is due back in early September. We have great options in the squad, with flexibility that by all accounts Pep requires, but personally I would like another established central midfielder to bolster the ranks. I think we would then be very well equipped for injuries, suspensions or loss of form.

One factor that may affect any decision on signing an extra midfielder is that Stones has been muted to play a defensive midfield role on occasions, if that is part of Pep's thinking he might not require another midfielder.

If the young lads are given a chance then great, Pep is used to bringing them through and by all accounts we have some very promising players on the brink of the first team. It'll be interesting to see what happens with comings and goings from now until the transfer window closes.

Fernandinho is not being earmarked to play in another position. That's just not true.

Pep said he could play CB when asked if Fernandinho could play CB like Mascherano, he also said he could play 10 positions.

He didn't say he *will* and his moves in the transfermarket don't back it up.

 

[domalino]

In a 433 I would think they would be the most advanced midfielder, with two central midfielders behind them. As the thread is about central midfielders I was talking about who might play in those positions.

Pep usually plays with 1 anchor and 2 attacking midfielders.

 

[Bellamy's Caddy]

Because we don't see Silva etc, as centre mids, doesn't mean a great manager can't see them there. Maybe he can ? In Silva's case, I think it might be his only chance of a long term future at the club. I can't see him keeping KDB, Sane, Jesus, Sterling, Moreno & all the kids such as Manu Garcia, Diaz etc out of the team in the attacking mid/forward positions for much longer.

Stones, Denayer, Angelino in a Lahm style role, are also possibliities under a manager willing to think outside the box. Then we have a winter transfer window & then next summer. I don't think the plan is for an instant team, we are building one.

Yeah the Silva situation is an interesting one. I agree, I don't think he'll keep the players you have mentioned out of the team for long. Especially with the high intensity pressing game Pep will have us playing.

Agree that Pep is building a team, but we will still be expected to compete in the interim.

 

[bugsyblue]

In the Prem, any fucker U21 (in Jan this year I think) is eligible. In the CL they have to have been registered at the club for (2? 3 ?) years in order to be registerd as U21.

So Denayer would be U21 & able to play in the CL (which is why it was so fucking ridiculously stupid to loan him out last season, don't get me stated ;) ) but Kelechi, Sane etc would have to take up a place as a senior player if selected for the squad.

Thank you and @Hungarian blue for the explanation. I didn't realise that, looks like we have to make some tough decisions but hopefully means some CL exposure for the kids.

 

[Akiva]

Agree that Pep is building a team, but we will still be expected to compete in the interim.

And you think Pep doesn't realise that?

You have been presented with two world class CMs, Gundogan and Fernandinho, with a range of available, albeit younger, backup options available. I'm not quite sure what more you want, especially since we can only field so many players.