Declan Rice

[Gumzy97]

I can see us signing Rice if the Bellingham deal falls through, I trust Pep after what he did to Akanji. I would love to see what Pep can do with a talent in Declan Rice.

I honestly think that Phillips would've had a better season and improved alot more as player if he wasn't injured all the time. Phillips was incredible for Leeds and one of Englands stand out players you just don't lose that ability and talent over a season. There's a reason Pep wanted him

 

[bell_mcfc]

I can see us signing Rice if the Bellingham deal falls through, I trust Pep after what he did to Akanji. I would love to see what Pep can do with a talent in Declan Rice.

I honestly think that Phillips would've had a better season and improved alot more as player of he wasn't injured all the time. Phillips was incredible for Leeds and one of Englands stand out players you just don't lose that ability and talent over a season. There's a reason Pep wanted him

There will also be a reason if true Pep doesn't want him. He can be a great player but not have the mentality for a team like City. Ive been hoping to see him play as much as possible this year and hoped he'd impress. I just don't think its worked out for either us/KP and he could get a good move this summer.

 

[Gumzy97]

Does rice actually play the 6 position for West ham? He's scoring goals and progressing the ball more this season, even popping up in the box, looks like he's more of box to box midfielder now than just a 6.

Most of the highlights of his game this season are him winning the ball then driving up the pitch joining the attack, scoring goals, shots on target and dribbling past players etc

 

[HumbledGooner]

If Rice would rather stay in London than win things and work with the best manager around then he’s not for us. We need ambitious footballers who are eager to learn. Not sure if we’re in for him but if we are he’d be a fool to choose Arsenal. I suspect you know this.

I dont know this.

I believe football is dynamic and ever changing. Rice is a player who can help move the train, rather than someone who will be a passenger on it. He could go to Arsenal and between him and Odegaard, form the basis of a pretty robust midfield. Xhaka is leaving for Leverkusen, which means we will be getting a long term replacement for him. Last season our midfield was Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard and we did well.

Next season it could very well be Rice, X, Odegaard. Who could the X be? Who the F knows, Caicedo perhaps? I am sure all our expenditure will be in midfield in and we will make a few additions to the backline.

Players who move to the present champions on the basis of they want to 'win things', could also be cited as taking the easy option. Michael Jordan always said he rejected the chance to go to Boston Celtics or LA Lakers, because his true calling was to beat them with Chicago. Who says Rice isn't thinking of going to Arsenal and forming a midfield with Odegaard & rewrtie next seasons league table? Why is going to Man City the only ambitious move he can make? Is your cause the only worthwhile cause in English football?

 

[samuelyeboah]

Sorry but thinking were gonna make profit on kalvin after the season he's had is pure delusion

 

[hgblue]

I dont know this.

I believe football is dynamic and ever changing. Rice is a player who can help move the train, rather than someone who will be a passenger on it. He could go to Arsenal and between him and Odegaard, form the basis of a pretty robust midfield. Xhaka is leaving for Leverkusen, which means we will be getting a long term replacement for him. Last season our midfield was Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard and we did well.

Next season it could very well be Rice, X, Odegaard. Who could the X be? Who the F knows, Caicedo perhaps? I am sure all our expenditure will be in midfield in and we will make a few additions to the backline.

Players who move to the present champions on the basis of they want to 'win things', could also be cited as taking the easy option. Michael Jordan always said he rejected the chance to go to Boston Celtics or LA Lakers, because his true calling was to beat them with Chicago. Who says Rice isn't thinking of going to Arsenal and forming a midfield with Odegaard & rewrtie next seasons league table? Why is going to Man City the only ambitious move he can make? Is your cause the only worthwhile cause in English football?

As City fans we’ve been in the situation you are now. Off the top of my head Van Persie, Sanchez, Maguire, all chose United. But United couldn’t sign everyone. In fact, looking back at that list turns out we dodged a couple of bullets.
People bang on about City’s money, but I don’t remember us breaking many transfer records (possible exception Grealish). All the players we signed who turned out to be stars for us were available for other clubs to sign. That’s not buying success, it’s smart recruitment + a little bit of luck.
Fact is, most players when faced with the choice of joining a proven winner or a club with potential will choose the proven winner. That’s a fact and that’s what you’re up against if we’re in for him.
I suspect that’s why you’re spending so much time in this thread ;)

 

[TonyM]

As City fans we’ve been in the situation you are now. Off the top of my head Van Persie, Sanchez, Maguire, all chose United. But United couldn’t sign everyone. In fact, looking back at that list turns out we dodged a couple of bullets.
People bang on about City’s money, but I don’t remember us breaking many transfer records (possible exception Grealish). All the players we signed who turned out to be stars for us were available for other clubs to sign. That’s not buying success, it’s smart recruitment + a little bit of luck.
Fact is, most players when faced with the choice of joining a proven winner or a club with potential will choose the proven winner. That’s a fact and that’s what you’re up against if we’re in for him.
I suspect that’s why you’re spending so much time in this thread ;)

We could offer more wages than all but a few clubs and we could afford to make more mistakes than all but a few clubs.

But I definitely agree that the secret to our success was mostly due to Smart recruitment.

 

[TonyColemansbagofapples]

How many top half teams outside the traditional big 6 + Newcastle would be looking at Phillips at a top tier signing? I would say their would be zero interest, especially at 50m.

As for Villa? Their record signing is around 35m pounds, doubt they would smash it for a 28 year old Phillips.

I would be stunned if anyone paid 50m for Phillips. I know transfer fees in football are very progressive, bu 50m is still a lot to sign on a single player, and for players that could be bought for 50m, its hard to believe Phillips would be one of the better ones

You keep harping on about a 28 year old Phillips. He's nearer 27 than 28 (birthday in December). If he leaves it will be on a four/five year deal so won't exactly be ready for his zimmer frame when that expires. You are reportedly getting c£15m for a 31 year old Xhaka.
Also, Phillips is a current England international and has played one international less than Saliba has played premier league games. Out of interest, what do you value him at? Go on, give us all a chuckle.

 

[Mancini’s Pastilles]

Dont want Rice we already have an over priced average english cdm. We dont need another

 

[BlueCityfan]

There seems to a weird trend of Arsenal fans coming to this forum to try to convince us about how good or ambitious they are. First it was about how their first half season form was no fluke. And that they were the real deal. Now it's about how much signings (or Declan Rice) wants to join them, and how ambitious they are going to be in the transfer market.

Is this an Arsenal thing?