De Bruyne Return and Foden

[KS55]

Perhaps.

Part of this issue is resolved because Pep rotates attacking players anyway. I suspect Pep would prefer that Phil had been given more time to rest this season than he has so far.

But also, Kev is 32, plays a dynamic game, and hasn't got a great injury record. Foden will be playing regularly in the best team in the World. He'll likely get more time in the centre, and over the next 18 months, could gradually take over from de Bruyne.

De Bruyne was already 24 when he joined City. If Foden is the key player, in the best team in World football, by the time he turns 25, that's some achievement.

Phil should be rotated to get a rest, not to mope on the wing which he clearly dislikes. Nevertheless, he will, of course, do whatever Pep instructs.

 

[MafeotulBlue]

Phil is the most natural successor for Gundo and David Silva. Not KDB. Kevin remain a mystery and a one in a generation player.

One that you can’t just buy or replace willy nilly.

That’ll be the great challenge of this team once he goes.

The below should have enough to challenge on all fronts. But most importantly to defend at least 2 of the three we got last season.

 

[BlueAnorak]

Phil is the most natural successor for Gundo and David Silva. Not KDB. Kevin remain a mystery and a one in a generation player.

One that you can’t just buy or replace willy nilly.

That’ll be the great challenge of this team once he goes.

The below should have enough to challenge on all fronts. But most importantly to defend at least 2 of the three we got last season.
View attachment 103550

Disagree.
Phil isn't good enough in a defensive roll (yet).
KDB is better.

 

[uwe rosler 28]

Think we can play both Phil and kev as long as we have bernie and Jack on the wings and hopefully John pushing into midfield to help rodders

 

[citymad]

Phil, Kev and Bernie will fill one wide spot and two central and rotate within games.
A front five of Phil, Kev, Bernie, Erling and Jack/Jeremy all playing at their peak is mouthwatering.

With Rodri behind them it doesn't get much better than that.

 

[Rammy Blue]

Phil is the most natural successor for Gundo and David Silva. Not KDB. Kevin remain a mystery and a one in a generation player.

One that you can’t just buy or replace willy nilly.

That’ll be the great challenge of this team once he goes.

The below should have enough to challenge on all fronts. But most importantly to defend at least 2 of the three we got last season.
View attachment 103550

It all looked good until I saw Kalvin’s name on there, ruined it.

 

[GOULDYBOBS]

He should leave for more minutes. Apparently

 

[Saddleworth2]

Phil is the most natural successor for Gundo and David Silva. Not KDB. Kevin remain a mystery and a one in a generation player.

One that you can’t just buy or replace willy nilly.

That’ll be the great challenge of this team once he goes.

The below should have enough to challenge on all fronts. But most importantly to defend at least 2 of the three we got last season.
View attachment 103550

Keeping Rodri fit is the thing. When things get serious we have no replacement for him.

 

[Moss Side's Finest]

I think a team of

Ederson

Walker Dias Stones Ake/Gvardiol

Rodri

Kdb Foden

Bernardo Haaland Grealish/Doku

with John stepping in to support Rodri, would be pretty flipping magnificent

Edit sorry I forgot Julian but he could fit in pretty much anywhere in that front 5; yet another player whose positional opportunities have been improved by Lord Guardiola

Alvarez?

 

[Stoned Rose]

Foden is absolutely world class centrally.

But so is De Bruyne.

Eventually Foden will replace the retiring De Bruyne.