Eliaquim Mangala - 2017/18 performances

[domalino]

Agreed. We look light at the moment because our only fit, senior CBs are Otamendi and Mangala. Replacing Mangala with whoever doesn't improve that squad depth.

Sorry but that's a ridiculous thing to say. First "We look light because 2 players in that position are injured". No shit. That's the same at every position at every club.

Secondly "Replacing Mangala with whoever doesn't improve that squad depth" but Stones will be back long before we add another CB, so that will never be the case.

Stones-Otamendi & VVD, plus Kompany and a youth project like Tosin for small cup games is plenty of depth at CB for any club. Mangala could take Tosin's place in that line up, but why would he want to? He's 26, he won't want to be 4th choice for league cup games or dead rubbers.

 

[CityStu]

Sorry but that's a ridiculous thing to say. First "We look light because 2 players in that position are injured". No shit. That's the same at every position at every club.

Secondly "Replacing Mangala with whoever doesn't improve that squad depth" but Stones will be back long before we add another CB, so that will never be the case.

Stones-Otamendi & VVD, plus Kompany and a youth project like Tosin for small cup games is plenty of depth at CB for any club. Mangala could take Tosin's place in that line up, but why would he want to? He's 26, he won't want to be 4th choice for league cup games or dead rubbers.

My point is that we will frequently look light with Kompany in the squad because he is so frequently injured. It's now got to the stage where if a non-Kompany CB gets injured, it's highly likely we're down to 2 senior CBs.

Stones will be back soon, but he, Otamendi or Mangala could very easily get injured again soon and we're back to square one with Kompany's unreliability.

Your last paragraph could read exactly the same with Mangala and Kompany's names switched.

 

[Rolee]

Sorry but that's a ridiculous thing to say. First "We look light because 2 players in that position are injured". No shit. That's the same at every position at every club.

Secondly "Replacing Mangala with whoever doesn't improve that squad depth" but Stones will be back long before we add another CB, so that will never be the case.

Stones-Otamendi & VVD, plus Kompany and a youth project like Tosin for small cup games is plenty of depth at CB for any club. Mangala could take Tosin's place in that line up, but why would he want to? He's 26, he won't want to be 4th choice for league cup games or dead rubbers.

It's not ridiculous at all. Kompany is constantly injured so retaining him doesn't solve the depth issue, replacing him does.

 

[domalino]

It's not ridiculous at all. Kompany is constantly injured so retaining him doesn't solve the depth issue, replacing him does.

There isn't a depth issue. We will have 3 CB's of starting quality. That's not a depth issue, that's just a normal amount of depth in a sport that allows 25 players in a squad.

 

[CityStu]

There isn't a depth issue. We will have 3 CB's of starting quality. That's not a depth issue, that's just a normal amount of depth in a sport that allows 25 players in a squad.

Which 3? ;)

I could also argue that Mangala has been better than Kompany this season. For all people talk about Mangala having errors leading to chances, none have been as risky as Kompany's challenge on Vardy against Leicester where he could have walked after 2 minutes.

 

[domalino]

Which 3? ;)

I could also argue that Mangala has been better than Kompany this season. For all people talk about Mangala having errors leading to chances, none have been as risky as Kompany's challenge on Vardy against Leicester where he could have walked after 2 minutes.

Stones. Otamendi. January signing.

Mangala wouldn't have played a game outside the league cup if Kompany had been fit, so by replacing Kompany as third choice with, VVD for example, someone without Kompany's fitness levels, Mangala becomes obsolete.


Mangala is a nice guy, but if he'd gotten close to convincing Pep he could become a viable starter then he wouldn't be discussing a January CB purchase.

 

[CityStu]

Stones. Otamendi. January signing.

Mangala wouldn't have played a game outside the league cup if Kompany had been fit, so by replacing Kompany as third choice with, VVD for example, someone without Kompany's fitness levels, Mangala becomes obsolete.


Mangala is a nice guy, but if he'd gotten close to convincing Pep he could become a viable starter then he wouldn't be discussing a January CB purchase.

But Kompany isn't fit far more often than he is fit, and I think we may be discussing a January CB because he has become so unreliable.

In short, I think Kompany is a better CB, but Mangala is a more dependable player. For a 4th choice CB, I would prefer we go with a dependable player (as long as they're competent). I think Mangala has shown competence over the last few games.

Therefore, we'd be stronger as a squad with JS, NO, VVD and EM than we would JS, NO, VVD and VK.

 

[domalino]

But Kompany isn't fit far more often than he is fit, and I think we may be discussing a January CB because he has become so unreliable.

In short, I think Kompany is a better CB, but Mangala is a more dependable player. For a 4th choice CB, I would prefer we go with a dependable player (as long as they're competent). I think Mangala has shown competence over the last few games.

Therefore, we'd be stronger as a squad with JS, NO, VVD and EM than we would JS, NO, VVD and VK.

But then you're asking Mangala to spend the prime years of his career playing 3 or 4 league cup games a season unless we have an injury crisis, which if he has anything about him at all, he won't want to do.

 

[CityStu]

But then you're asking Mangala to spend the prime years of his career playing 3 or 4 league cup games a season unless we have an injury crisis, which if he has anything about him at all, he won't want to do.

Then that's his call. I wouldn't bemoan him at all if he requested a transfer in January. But, if he's happy to stick around, I'd rather he be 4th choice than Vinny.

 

[Pete Campbell]

set to start again vs Bournemouth?