Declan Rice

[Love_Each_Day]

Thought this link would have died by now as find it a little odd. Rice suggested in quarters as a replacement for Xhaka at Arsenal or Gundogan for us. Both players this season spent much of their time just outside the box or getting into the box to score. Rice simply is not a final third player despite Southgate and Moyes encouraging him to embrace his inner Stevie G and go barrelling forward with the ball when space opens up. If Arsenal are offloading Partey it makes much more sense for them to splash huge money on him.

Not convinced Billingham is the world beater as made out but would have been a more obvious fit for what we need. Have seen a fair bit of Gvardiol since the links started with some good and some bad, a versatile left footer at only 21 is more worth that fee if we're losing Laporte. I feel Rice has maybe wasted some time with the managers he's had, not a lot different to the player he was couple seasons ago and may not want to be versatile as he likes the glory of playing further forward. If we wanted him we should have done it years ago when he looked like Stones 2.0 coming through and not arrived late to this party.

There's still the question about Phillips, even if he wasn't our record signing 42m is huge for someone who contributed nothing. Pep being wary about using him to rest Rodri when we're 3-0 up with half hour to go isn't promising, but if he's backed himself to come good we need to give him a proper go.

 

[PabZabb]

City are still alive here :)

Basmati….

AGUEROOOOOO!!

 

[foggy1974]

As much as I want us to sign Rice, If he wants Arsenal first then aren’t we the sloppy second? Not being arrogant but we are the best team in Europe, soon to be the world, have Pep fucking guardiola as our manager and Rice still seems to not have the bollocks to challenge himself ?

Gundogan left because of his wife, Berny wants to leave because of family life, yes they have won everything at City, but at the same time if Declan wants to stay in London, why can't we respect his decision, even if he's not making it on footballing decisions.

 

[The Light Was Yellow Sir]

Are we at the Balotelli stage or has De Jong picked the ball up?

For some reason, Nasri has let it go out for a throw to QPR!

 

[Tb1981]

City are still alive here :)

93:20 winner!

 

[Jack Hackett]

It’s not about guessing, it’s exactly how every other club works. That’s why we are different, we do things differently. You can use Dias, Akanji, Ake, as examples of signings off the back of us walking away from our “first choice” options who everyone thought who? Yet all 3 are treble winners and part of a unique set up where we genuinely are about the team/family first. It’s the exact reason you bottled it, will continue to bottle it and are pinning all your future hopes on Rice!
Im 45, I’ve seen City of old do the exact same thing, I see other clubs do it every window and you are no different. You had one decent season where others underachieved and suddenly all the talk is of you being our competitor. I see Liverpool, Newcastle, Chelsea and dare I say Utd all pushing us harder this coming season than Arsenal.

You certainly are different

 

[r.soleofsalford]

Maybe I'm missing something, but I cannot understand the clamour for Rice. I've not watched him extensively but what does he actually do well to justify that monumental price tag? Personally I think Phillips is the better footballer

Aggressive and loads of energy do I think he’s worth 100 mil no and I still don’t think Jack is. Jacks playing great now but 100 mil good god.

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

Is there any evidence we have made a bid yet? Arsenals offers seem to get leaked to the press, presumably from West Ham, but nothing stated we have bid from what I have read, just were about to.

the £100million question

 

[Jack Hackett]

Thought this link would have died by now as find it a little odd. Rice suggested in quarters as a replacement for Xhaka at Arsenal or Gundogan for us. Both players this season spent much of their time just outside the box or getting into the box to score. Rice simply is not a final third player despite Southgate and Moyes encouraging him to embrace his inner Stevie G and go barrelling forward with the ball when space opens up. If Arsenal are offloading Partey it makes much more sense for them to splash huge money on him.

Not convinced Billingham is the world beater as made out but would have been a more obvious fit for what we need. Have seen a fair bit of Gvardiol since the links started with some good and some bad, a versatile left footer at only 21 is more worth that fee if we're losing Laporte. I feel Rice has maybe wasted some time with the managers he's had, not a lot different to the player he was couple seasons ago and may not want to be versatile as he likes the glory of playing further forward. If we wanted him we should have done it years ago when he looked like Stones 2.0 coming through and not arrived late to this party.

There's still the question about Phillips, even if he wasn't our record signing 42m is huge for someone who contributed nothing. Pep being wary about using him to rest Rodri when we're 3-0 up with half hour to go isn't promising, but if he's backed himself to come good we need to give him a proper go.

I tend to agree. If we sign Rice, he’ll replace Partey who is linked with a move away. I think Arteta sees Havertz as one to replace Xhaka.

 

[Jack Hackett]

Aggressive and loads of energy do I think he’s worth 100 mil no and I still don’t think Jack is. Jacks playing great now but 100 mil good god.

I‘m easily worth 100m ;)

 

[wolviedinho]

City are still alive here :)

The man has spoken -:)

 

[BAB.DAB]

You certainly are different

Yep, winning mentality

 

[Keeper!]

City are still alive here :)

 

[foggy1974]

A great deal of speculation I see. I’ve no idea where he’ll end up but obviously I hope he chooses us over you. If he does choose us, then it’s because given the potential of our young players he can see an exciting opportunity to develop and be successful for some years to come. He will be guaranteed s starting place and be seen as one of our senior players. Arteta is here for the long haul so no danger of transition and Rice gets to stay in London.

Of course, joining City has it’s obvious attractions but Pep will likely leave in 2025, some of your key players are coming to the end of their shelf life and all winning teams ultimately come to the end of their reign.

I suspect this season just ended will mark the high water point of this City team’s success.

How do you know if he signs for City he won't be playing week in, week out. Look at Akanji who was supposedly 5th choice cb. Played nearly 50 times in all comps & was instrumental in Rodri's winning goal.

 

[not my fault!]

You certainly are different

I’m realistic… look at the meltdown at the thought City may get him. It’d be meetings in the board room if we signed him from Arsenals perspective. If you had another genuine option you’d be using them as bait to get WHU to get the deal done.
This isn’t a new playbook by Arsenal, it’s a typical all your eggs in one basket tactic and WHU are dragging it out as they know you’ll pay up another £20m because you’re oozing desperation on this signing.

 

[alexmcity]

How do you know if he signs for City he won't be playing week in, week out. Look at Akanji who was supposedly 5th choice cb. Played nearly 50 times in all comps & was instrumental in Rodri's winning goal.

Good point, Akanji played more minutes than any City defender last season!

 

[r.soleofsalford]

I tend to agree. If we sign Rice, he’ll replace Partey who is linked with a move away. I think Arteta sees Havertz as one to replace Xhaka.

I actually think it’s the opposite. Rice-Xhaka
Havertz-Partly. But what do I know (just picking nits)

 

[wolviedinho]

Crazy how angry and abusive some people get for someone having a different opinion. I don’t agree with the arsenal fans totally but they are entitled to their opinion.

Like a cult on here at times

Are we now a big club? -:)

Arseholes don’t have opinions!

 

[Worsleyweb]

He will be up here in the end

 

[Jack Hackett]

How do you know if he signs for City he won't be playing week in, week out. Look at Akanji who was supposedly 5th choice cb. Played nearly 50 times in all comps & was instrumental in Rodri's winning goal.

Maybe he will but what’s the odds?