Houssem Aouar

[ChicagoBlue]

He would be a very, very good addition to an otherwise lightweight midfield.

We have lusted after him (or someone like him) for years now, but seem besotted with the lightweight, technically gifted player over the bigger, stronger, possibly ever so slightly less technically gifted player...even though Aouar checks the technically gifted box, too!

We need more “drive” to our midfield, as opposed to the “shuttler” who moves the ball from side to side. We still need the latter against the 10 man defenses we face, but with two big, strong drivers and a shuttler in a middle 3, it frees up the front 3 to be creative, create space, and exploit the space created by having to step out yo meet that midfield.

KDB is an excellent driver, as are Foden/Bernardo, but Gundo/Ferna/Rodri are not cut from that cloth. I think Aouar would be a brilliant addition to the KDB/Bernardo/Foden trio, and provide something different from both Bernardo & Foden.

I guess when I think about clubs spending in the range of €40-60M on a player, Aouar is the caliber and quality of a player I think of. If the likes of van de Beek is a £40M player and Havertz is a £70M, then Aouar is right in there with them, and an established world class player like KDB is in the £150M+ range, esp when you see the cost of players like Coutinho, Dembele, Felix.

Aouar would be excellent business in ANY season...except, possibly, a season where Messi is on the menu!

Now, pinch me...

 

[Lord Blue]

Tommy Doyle?

Not a c*nt, more technical ability in his little toe than Barton ever had but English and from the academy?

I did wonder if it might be Doyle, looked good in his few cameos. although kind of like a Gundogan Lite. he would be a beneficiary of the 5 subs rule i reckon. a lot of kids would. Shame it got outvoted first time around.
Barton may not be a fan favourite but his efforts pretty much kept us in the premier league when most of the team was a little short.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

Didn't need him before, don't really see any point now that we're in for Messi. Shame that he'll end up improving Arsenal hugely if he goes there, though.

 

[Gareth Barry Conlon]

Didn't need him before, don't really see any point now that we're in for Messi. Shame that he'll end up improving Arsenal hugely if he goes there, though.

We can't have them all. This lad will end up somewhere else.

 

[eyalluvitt]

I would go to Arsenal...you get to be coached by the man behind City’s success...Mikel!

El Ego?

 

[JoshH7611]

He is going to Arsenal' isn't he :(

Can't see it myself. Ozil is not going anywhere and they will have to improve Aubemeyangs wages which completely disrupts this deal IMO. They are bringing Ceballos to which suggests to me no deal for Aouar. I would not believe any rumours until Arsenal have actually made a bid- which does not seem to be the case for now. To add to the fact that if he does go to Arsenal he would be wasting the best part of 3-4 years until they build a team that is good enough for a top 4 place. I am sure if Messi leaves, Barcelona would be interested in someone like him. Personally, I'd wait for a move before he ends up stuck at Arsenal with no CL football for another 3-4 seasons.

As for City, we cannot afford Messi, Aouar and Koulibaly - so we have to pick really. I'd take Messi all day long.

 

[Jack Hackett]

El Ego?

He does have a singular haircut

 

[Keeper!]

El Ego?

Doing a very good job so far, in very difficult circumstances and two pots on the mantelpiece already!!

 

[nmc]

Chelsea now stating they will move him on if they get 80m for him.

Watch PSG offer them £100m !

 

[MaineDAWG2008]

Now that Messi circus is over. Get this guy in. 23, young and brilliant player.