De Bruyne?

Stoned Rose said:
No more so than the vast majority of our squad looks / have looked at that level.

My point is he is better than Fernando, Garcia and Rodwell so is an improvement in the 'meat and potatoes midfielder' category.

In terms of this category of player, I don't feel there are many out there, who are available, who for the £ paid, are better bets.
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In terms of players who could break into our first 11... Granit Xhaka and Radja Naingollan are both very good, Witsel in an outside bet also.
 
thereWasATime said:
Tomorrow we are putting our bid in for £40m
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Gut feeling mate? its been a long time coming so I hope your right....wouldnt be surprised if we have to add a few mil in add-ons to that, as I could see us having to pay "Sterling" type money but at this point most important thing it just getting the deal done.....
 
About £40m for KDB makes sense, Wolfsburg quoted £42m when Juventus enquired about him according to Di Marzio
 
I can't think in terms of a first XI these days, I think the game's changed so much, you have to think of at least 14 equally. Subs seem to be a genuine part of the tactics more than they used to be, and a player coming on for the last 20 minutes is no less a player in my eyes - it's just a strategy to use them in the last 20 minutes with fresh legs, or a calming influence etc.

I think there's an old school train of thought was sees subs are 'inferior' to the first XI, but those days are long gone now. Its a natural perception, but I'm not sure it's a correct one.
That's why I think players like Delph have a hugely significant role to play even if they aren't superstars. To get a great 30 minutes out of someone like Yaya, you might need someone like Delph to take over some of his burden. Or it may be that Delph plays for an hour then Yaya comes on as an impact sub (hypothetical example). Neither work without the other though, and that's what people forget.

The also applies to the likes of Sterling or KdB. People have to stop thinking of them as 90 minute first XI, they are part of the squad, and whilst they might have more ability than others, to BEST use that ability to City's advantage might mean them only playing part of the game.
 
FanchesterCity said:
I can't think in terms of a first XI these days, I think the game's changed so much, you have to think of at least 14 equally. Subs seem to be a genuine part of the tactics more than they used to be, and a player coming on for the last 20 minutes is no less a player in my eyes - it's just a strategy to use them in the last 20 minutes with fresh legs, or a calming influence etc.

I think there's an old school train of thought was sees subs are 'inferior' to the first XI, but those days are long gone now. Its a natural perception, but I'm not sure it's a correct one.
That's why I think players like Delph have a hugely significant role to play even if they aren't superstars. To get a great 30 minutes out of someone like Yaya, you might need someone like Delph to take over some of his burden. Or it may be that Delph plays for an hour then Yaya comes on as an impact sub (hypothetical example). Neither work without the other though, and that's what people forget.
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I don`t think its so much as what people forget mate,its more that some fuckers don`t understand.
 
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