Declan Rice

[Keeper!]

It's not desperation tho is it ? Doyle is already a city player ,you have to think Doyle would offer far more than Phillips? Yet people think he should be given another chance ,we were prepared to offer £90m for Rice as rodders stand in ,couldn't Doyle do that in league cups ,fa cups etc ?
Phillips wasn't trusted to play 10 mins in games at 3.0 up or against Sheffield utd ,and I'm desperate to suggest Doyle mat be an option ?

Too much romance with Doyle because of the name and family.

Clearly a very decent player but that's the issue, he is decent.

 

[argyle]

There are players out there who will be equal or better for the same money. We have proven it time and again with buys from South America, eastern and western Europe. I'll be happy with Gvardiol & Kovacic incoming and Doyle & Macatee shoring up the squad. Gomez probably needs a loan at a lower half premier league team.

I know on this forum that our academy kids such as Doyle and McAtee are future Balon D'or winners but it's a huge step from the Championship to the Premier League - and an even bigger step up from good PL sides to us.

 

[mrtwiceaseason]

Too much romance with Doyle because of the name and family.

Clearly a very decent player but that's the issue, he is decent.

What do you rate Phillips as ? Anything above bang average ,championship level ?

 

[Keeper!]

What do you rate Phillips as ? Anything above bang average ,championship level ?

Average Premier league player, not elite level, I hope he proves me wrong but I can't see it happening and I simply don't think pep trusts him.

Heard all the stories about him coming good this season, again it would amaze me, several of our signing underwhelmed early doors but their quality was always there (Bernardo, Grealish, Ake) not sure we have seen anything from Phillips.

 

[argyle]

Though I wasn't convinced Rice was the player to get, I wish City would sometimes not give a shit about the Net-Spend trophy and the criticism of our spending, not give a fuck and just blow them all away.

The club has earned the money.

 

[argyle]

Average Premier league player, not elite level, I hope he proves me wrong but I can't see it happening and I simply don't think pep trusts him.

Heard all the stories about him coming good this season, again it would amaze me, several of our signing underwhelmed early doors but their quality was always there (Bernardo, Grealish, Ake) not sure we have seen anything from Phillips.

Agree.

The other players were at least brought on in PL games and played the Cup games.

Phillips was hardly even given that. WIll be some turnaround if he challenged for a starting spot.

 

[Keeper!]

Agree.

The other players were at least brought on in PL games and played the Cup games.

Phillips was hardly even given that. WIll be some turnaround if he challenged for a starting spot.

Not playing against Sheffield in the cup semi said it all, and that with Rodri running on fumes and huge games on the horizon.

 

[Mazzarelli's Swiss Cheese]

Though I wasn't convinced Rice was the player to get, I wish City would sometimes not give a shit about the Net-Spend trophy and the criticism of our spending, not give a fuck and just blow them all away.

The club has earned the money.

I don't think it's that at all. I think we research targets well in advance and decide a value - we then offer that or very close to that figure and if its turned down just walk away.
All 'winning' a bidding war does is shows the world that your initial offer is not serious and you can be squeezed for more.

 

[Blue and true]

What do you rate Phillips as ? Anything above bang average ,championship level ?

Phillips is lower half Prem/Championship level.

 

[Blue and true]

So on that basis Macatee won’t make it with us too as he’s been at Sheff united?

Doyle/lavia wouldn’t be Rodri’s deputy, that should be where Phillips picks up the slack. Or if it’s not Phillips the I’m sure the club will bring in an able “1st team” level deputy but the kids need to be around the 1st team to see if they eventually can step up.

I understand you have to be an exceptional talent to get in our first team, even more so if your from the academy but players like Macatee, Doyle etc should get a chance to be around the 1st team on the back of a promotion winning season where they were the 2 stand out players at Sheff United.

No, I don't think McAtee will make it with us. In fact, I'll be astounded if he makes a single meaningful appearance for us next season.