Houssem Aouar

[Tugay One Cup]

more than I’d like (300 ish?) I’m with you on that. With torres and Aouar coming in we could balance daves minutes out easily, give raz a bit of rest, drop Gundogan’s minutes significantly, increase Phil’s, ease in Aouar year one, and maintain Bernardo’s.

let form dictate 300-400m extra for each. Very easily doable. It takes significant pressure off Phil too. I’d rather him get 2500 than 3200-3500.

I can see where you're coming from but it's just an extra player for Phil to compete with. Not that the competition is a bad thing by any stretch but it's not exactly been a meritocracy so far. Too many times this season it's felt like Foden has finally arrived as a genuine first team option and then you fast forward a week and he's been benched for the sake of an experienced player who has had too many opportunities.

This is all without even considering that Fernandinho will more than likely go back into midfield as a rotation option once we bring in another centreback. In that case Gundogan will also probably be seeing more minutes as an eight rather than a six.

If Ilkay leaves then I'd want us to be all over this because the guy is quality but if he's staying then I wouldn't sweat it. The squad is absolutely stacked with talent.

 

[Craig]

I can see where you're coming from but it's just an extra player for Phil to compete with. Not that the competition is a bad thing by any stretch but it's not exactly been a meritocracy so far. Too many times this season it's felt like Foden has finally arrived as a genuine first team option and then you fast forward a week and he's been benched for the sake of an experienced player who has had too many opportunities.

This is all without even considering that Fernandinho will more than likely go back into midfield as a rotation option once we bring in another centreback. In that case Gundogan will also probably be seeing more minutes as an eight rather than a six.

If Ilkay leaves then I'd want us to be all over this because the guy is quality but if he's staying then I wouldn't sweat it. The squad is absolutely stacked with talent.

Yes exactly this. Whilst Pep mulls over the many things that went wrong during the season I hope he decides to start picking players on form in general. Not saying flog people to death but sometimes it’s one great game by someone then back on the bench. At times the constant switching has been ridiculous.

 

[ADegenerate]

I can see where you're coming from but it's just an extra player for Phil to compete with. Not that the competition is a bad thing by any stretch but it's not exactly been a meritocracy so far. Too many times this season it's felt like Foden has finally arrived as a genuine first team option and then you fast forward a week and he's been benched for the sake of an experienced player who has had too many opportunities.

This is all without even considering that Fernandinho will more than likely go back into midfield as a rotation option once we bring in another centreback. In that case Gundogan will also probably be seeing more minutes as an eight rather than a six.

If Ilkay leaves then I'd want us to be all over this because the guy is quality but if he's staying then I wouldn't sweat it. The squad is absolutely stacked with talent.

I don’t think we’re that far off on our assessments. I’m just looking at it in terms of filling the void for Dave and lowering Gundogans minutes. Unfortunately, it looks like Pep sees Phil as a sort of a utility player that he can slot centrally or wide so I just can’t see Phil picking up 2500 more minutes after already getting 1800 or Bernardo playing LCM while keeping that 3k minute mark. Somebody has to pick up that slack from dave/ilkay and if we don’t buy a midfielder then it’s gundogans by default for a minimum of 2500-3000 and frankly that’s very worrying.

We literally have Gundogan and Phil for that left side. Yikes. many could see Bernardo there, I really don’t.

 

[Maly]

Foden. Not that hard to work out.

Ha ha ha ha ha
Who did we buy Foden off?

What’s not hard to work out is that we try to have 2 players for each position. We always play with 3 in CM so 2 x 3 = 6
We currently have 5 with Kev, Bernardo, Phil, Gundogan & Rodri as I can’t see Fernandinho ever playing CM again for City. Not saying we’ll definitely sign Aouar, but I’ll be extremely surprised if we don’t sign another CM

 

[Tugay One Cup]

We literally have Gundogan and Phil for that left side. Yikes. many could see Bernardo there, I really don’t.

Really? Don't get me wrong, I still prefer him as a wide player but I'd honestly rather see him as a box to box player than seeing Gundogan in that static position. Plus, with three other wingers with virtually no previous injury problem, I could see Bernardo taking more minutes centrally anyway.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

Ha ha ha ha ha
Who did we buy Foden off?

What’s not hard to work out is that we try to have 2 players for each position. We always play with 3 in CM so 2 x 3 = 6
We currently have 5 with Kev, Bernardo, Phil, Gundogan & Rodri as I can’t see Fernandinho ever playing CM again for City. Not saying we’ll definitely sign Aouar, but I’ll be extremely surprised if we don’t sign another CM

I disagree. Unless we're shifting all three of Garcia, Otamendi and Stones then I think Fernandinho will be getting more time minutes as a midfielder again. People were already swearing he'd never play in midfield again for us last season until he got a few games there towards the end.

That would leave us with Fernandinho, Rodri, Gundogan, Foden, Bernardo and Kev all to play three spots between them.

This guy is really talented (can't believe someone said yesterday that he's not good enough for us) but he's available about a year before we need him.

Unless, of course, we're losing someone.

 

[i8rags]

Ha ha ha ha ha
Who did we buy Foden off?

What’s not hard to work out is that we try to have 2 players for each position. We always play with 3 in CM so 2 x 3 = 6
We currently have 5 with Kev, Bernardo, Phil, Gundogan & Rodri as I can’t see Fernandinho ever playing CM again for City. Not saying we’ll definitely sign Aouar, but I’ll be extremely surprised if we don’t sign another CM

Obviously we didn’t buy him ffs, I was showing that Phil was silvas replacement

 

[ADegenerate]

Really? Don't get me wrong, I still prefer him as a wide player but I'd honestly rather see him as a box to box player than seeing Gundogan in that static position. Plus, with three other wingers with virtually no previous injury problem, I could see Bernardo taking more minutes centrally anyway.

I’m not sure bud. Just making educated guesses based off of Peps selection history and my assessment of Bernardo. Definitely agree with you though.

I reckon 3 ATB is gonna be a major formation for us moving forward rather than our traditional 4-3-3, more 4-3-3 than 3 ATB, but I think it’ll be prominent. If it’s not, I just don’t trust Gundogan, Phil, and probably Bernardo playing on that Left side. I’d be much, much, happier with another midfield option.

why scout the guy for years if you aren’t gonna pull the trigger??? Makes no sense.

 

[oldius]

Foden. Not that hard to work out.

We bought Foden? Hold the back page!

 

[Tugay One Cup]

If it’s not, I just don’t trust Gundogan, Phil, and probably Bernardo playing on that Left side.

I guess that where we differ because, to me, that looks like the kind of depth virtually any club on the planet would kill for. Maybe I still see way more in Foden as a central midfielder than others do, including Pep, unfortunately. I just can't wrap my head around it.

 

[domalino]

I guess that where we differ because, to me, that looks like the kind of depth virtually any club on the planet would kill for. Maybe I still see way more in Foden as a central midfielder than others do, including Pep, unfortunately. I just can't wrap my head around it.

Stop worrying about if Foden is going to play. He's getting picked to start crucial KO games vs. Real Madrid ahead of Mahrez and Bernardo, he's going to play.

Pep clearly thinks he's more of a front 3 player at the moment, just like Silva was at Valencia and Iniesta was at Barcelona until they were 23/24.

 

[ADegenerate]

Maybe I still see way more in Foden as a central midfielder than others do, including Pep, unfortunately. I just can't wrap my head around it.

Same. Good spot to finish the discussion. Really hoping Phil gets the vast majority of games centrally where he can really develop and own the position permanently but I don’t *trust* that’s in peps plans.

Expecting him to play all over the place and Gundogan to continue getting massive minutes.
That’s the only reason I’m advocating for the signing.

cheers.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

Stop worrying about if Foden is going to play. He's getting picked to start crucial KO games vs. Real Madrid ahead of Mahrez and Bernardo, he's going to play.

Pep clearly thinks he's more of a front 3 player at the moment, just like Silva was at Valencia and Iniesta was at Barcelona until they were 23/24.

I doubt he'll be starting in front of Sterling and Torres. Plus, it's not even necessarily just a concern over Phil's minutes but I also want to see our intensity shoot right back up in the opponent's third. I don't see Auoar bringing that level up by much.

 

[simon23]

If we get this guy it will be very interesting to see where he plays and whom he is in competition with....it would be easy to presume that he would be in direct competition with Foden, Bernardo and even KDB......especially the first two.

But he seems to drift across midfield, playing on the right and left as well as centrally. He is good in very tight spaces, quick feet and drives forward with the ball at every opportunity. He could be that very useful link player between attack and defence. He looks comfortable both wide and centrally and although he isnt a classic winget int he sense that Torres is and Sane was he looks like he could play there.

My hope is tht he takes some of Gundogans playing time - he looks to have all his attributes and more.

 

[domalino]

I doubt he'll be starting in front of Sterling and Torres. Plus, it's not even necessarily just a concern over Phil's minutes but I also want to see our intensity shoot right back up in the opponent's third. I don't see Auoar bringing that level up by much.

Ah right, well if you dont see Aouar beinging intensity then you haven't watched him play and it makes sense why you don't want him in the squad.

No one who saw him all over our midfied like a rash both last week and last season or run circles around Juventus would be questioning if he brought intensity.

 

[simon23]

Same. Good spot to finish the discussion. Really hoping Phil gets the vast majority of games centrally where he can really develop and own the position permanently but I don’t *trust* that’s in peps plans.

Expecting him to play all over the place and Gundogan to continue getting massive minutes.
That’s the only reason I’m advocating for the signing.

cheers.

I think foden is best centrally to...possibly just behind the striker or at the top of the midfield at least. Im also sure he could do a job from deeper midfield as he is good at driving forward with the ball. I think he is wasted out wide tbh

 

[Tugay One Cup]

Ah right, well if you dont see Aouar beinging intensity then you haven't watched him play and it makes sense why you don't want him in the squad.

No one who saw him all over our midfied like a rash both last week and last season or run circles around Juventus would be questioning if he brought intensity.

Ah, don't do this Dom. Unless you're about to tell me you've been watching Ligue Un games frequently over the last few years then my guess is I've watched him about the same as you.

I'm not saying he's a late stage Yaya but if you think he presses with the speed and intensity of Foden and De Bruyne then I don't agree at all.

I'd also just like to point out how quickly your opinion changed over the span of three days.

Aouar is a great player, but he's just a young, slightly quicker Gundogan.

He can't be the only defensive midfielder, he's not a David Silva replacement IMO...not enough to justify buying him. He plays a position we don't have and we already have one player who doesn't fit in there.

What we need is a physical box to box midfielder like Pep had in Keita at Barcelona (and Yaya). Someone who can form a very solid defensively 2 in midfield with either Gundogan or Rodri.

I think Aouar is a Silva replacement. He dictates play in the way that Bernardo, KDB and Foden can't at present.

I hope he would mean the end of Gundogan because he should in theory provide everything Gundogan does but with added pace, aggression, and closer to the goal (like Silva).

Aouar-Rodri-KDB would be the midfield and I think it would be every bit as good as the centurions midfield in time, although the method of defending would be different - Rodri's all about pressing and making blocks/interceptions up the pitch, whereas Fern covered backwards in a more traditional English defensive midfielder way.

Auoar has the legs and willingness to run we lack from Dave this year and Gundogan always.

He's so clearly necessary I'm bemused a poster like you doesn't see it.

He instantly brings back the balance to the midfield that our successful seasons were built around. He dictates play, has the intelligent movement between lines and is a threat around the box like Silva, and yet his pressing and speed are far above what David's ever were.

It's obvious to everyone that what happened this season is our midfield broke. Silva couldn't run anymore, Bernardo and Foden can't control a game, so we had to go to the double pivot of Rodri and Gundogan. Which was a mess.

Aouar comes in and fixes it overnight. Job done, midfield fixed. Defence better protected, possession better controlled, attacks in transition quicker.

Not that there's anything wrong at all with changing your opinion but don't come at me like you haven't very recently had the same concerns.

 

[domalino]

Ah, don't do this Dom. Unless you're about to tell me you've been watching Ligue Un games frequently over the last few years then my guess is I've watched him about the same as you.

I'm not saying he's a late stage Yaya but if you think he presses with the speed and intensity of Foden and De Bruyne then I don't agree at all.

I'd also just like to point out how quickly your opinion changed over the span of three days.





Not that there's anything wrong at all with changing your opinion but don't come at me like you haven't very recently had the same concerns.

My concerns went away when I re wafched the game in Lyon last season and worked out he is the Silva replacement.

And when you work that out it all makes sense.

And I would still like a physical midfielder, that hasnt changed, but it would be at the expense of Fern, who's legs have gone, or Gundogan.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

My concerns went away when I re wafched the game in Lyon last season and worked out he is the Silva replacement.

And when you work that out it all makes sense.

Maybe I've just not got to that same point as you but I just don't see it so far. He's an upgrade on a similar player we have but if we're not losing that player then I think that's problematic.

 

[Sir peace frog]

i dont know why anyone would question this signing, he's quality and will give us the energy in the midfield we need, all this what about foden, well what about him, he has to earn his place like any other player, phil is a pro footballer ,he knows at a club like city he will have to fight for every minute on the pitch and if hes good enough he will get them, theres too much what about foden in every fucking transfer thread, phil looks quality ,he needs to go out and prove it in every training session that he can do all the jobs required, because from the looks of him that aouar can.