Houssem Aouar

[domalino]

Gundogan mostly plays at DM. If Aouar came, he'd be playing mostly at DM. Sometimes at CM. Kinda like Gundo currently does.

Personally, don't think he is necessary. But he is talented. So if there is interest, bring him in. I'm sure Foden will outplay him.

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.

 

[WallyA]

With David leaving, Gundogan and Kevin getting older, this signing does make sense.

Foden will get minutes all over the pitch, he can play like 4 positions, still not sure what his best is though.

 

[RayCTID]

I've warmed to this idea again. I hope we do sign him

 

[Dax777]

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.

I don't think either Bernado or Foden got a chance. They are both far better 8s at pressing and their ability to Control a game was good enough.

Aouor for me would be perfect as a 6. Replacing Gundogan who predominantly players the 6 except when Pep wanted more steal and then played him and Rodri at the base. Perhaps Aouor can do that.

Personally, I think Foden is better than Aouor. But I could be wrong. But like I always say, bring him in. Let them fight it out.

 

[pudge]

Get him in, get Gundogan out.

Aouar as the CM when Rodri is DM, Aouar as the DM when Bernie, Phil, Kev drop into CM.

Sorted. My kingdom for a ball carrier in the midfield again.

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

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.

Slightly off-topic question, but do you think we could hypothetically accomodate Aouar and Messi/another forward without getting rid of one of our creative players? If Aouar is going to slot into the midfield 3 with KDB and Rodri/Gundo, the likes of Bernardo and Foden would probably need minutes in the front 3. Adding another forward to the mix would surely be unsustainable?

 

[Craig]

I don't think either Bernado or Foden got a chance. They are both far better 8s at pressing and their ability to Control a game was good enough.

Aouor for me would be perfect as a 6. Replacing Gundogan who predominantly players the 6 except when Pep wanted more steal and then played him and Rodri at the base. Perhaps Aouor can do that.

Personally, I think Foden is better than Aouor. But I could be wrong. But like I always say, bring him in. Let them fight it out.

As long as it’s a fair fight unlike Foden having to sit out the whole of that debacle on Saturday

 

[domalino]

I don't think either Bernado or Foden got a chance. They are both far better 8s at pressing and their ability to Control a game was good enough.

Aouor for me would be perfect as a 6. Replacing Gundogan who predominantly players the 6 except when Pep wanted more steal and then played him and Rodri at the base. Perhaps Aouor can do that.

Personally, I think Foden is better than Aouor. But I could be wrong. But like I always say, bring him in. Let them fight it out.

They can't control games (not yet, anyway) and Pep has worked with them for 3 years in training every single day, long enough to know if they can do it next season.

Aouar is an 8. The most eight-y eight there is. He's not quite a 10, he's nowhere near a 6. He carries the ball, he makes third man runs into the box, he presses and harries and tracks runners.

Aouar-KDB will be the 8s, Rodri behind. Foden will be in the front 3 for the foreseeable, just like David at Valencia and Iniesta at Barcelona, I doubt he will ever fight anything out with Aouar and wouldn't be massively surprised if he doesn't settle into midfield until KDB is 33/34 - which incidentally would put him at exactly the same age Iniesta settled in midfield.

Bernardo will probably do a bit of everything. Depends on if he can find his form again, if not it's largely irrelevant sadly.

 

[CenturyClub]

Completely agree with some of the comments above. If we don't get this player i will be very disappointed in our transfer business.

The player has basically issued a come and get me plea. Pep and De Bruyne have talked him up, it just makes so much sense. Aulas of Lyon has already advised that it will be difficult to keep hold of the player. If he costs us 50-60m, i really think we have got ourselves an absolutely stupendous bargain. He will go on to become one of the best players in world football, i have no doubt about that.

He brings more dynamism and speed in transition to our midfield instantly, he drives through the middle and evades challenges... this kind of player is EXACTLY what we need. He also seems to have that bit of bite we need, that aggression in his play, a strong will to win, he looks like a player with a great mentality.

The best midfield combo we had was Fern - De Bruyne - Silva, both number 10's converted to number 8's. Our midfield with Rodri - Gundo - De Bruyne is really missing that energy and penetration we once had, we don't seem to squeeze teams in as good as we did before, that is down to playing two number 6's in the same midfield. We just look so reliant on De Bruyne to produce the magic now.

Come on City, get this deal done! No messing around.

 

[sir baconface]

Gundogan has been the one stepping in for Dave because he dictates games. Plays passes through the lines, players make their runs when he's on the ball, he's there to intercept the ball as other around him press. He sees the bigger picture of the game... All things Dave was in the team to do... These are things that Foden doesnt really do(not saying he can't). Foden is direct, he wants to press he wants to get in the box asap, he wants to carry the ball rather than wait for a fullback to overlap him, he's looking at fastest way we could score rather than thinking for example- if I play some triangles with Sterling and Cancelo then a quick switch should find Kev and Mahrez with room to get in behind as the opponents are crowding the ball side. There's a reason he's been on the wing, its because he's more suited to it at this stage of his career, he'd be more suited to Kevs role further down the line anyway imo.

Gundogan usually looks neat and tidy but very rarely dictates games. If you disagree, show me when he’s been MOTM on telly or on here. Then show me the same for Foden.

Foden has a higher ceiling than Gundogan but needs serious playing time and experience. Which he cannot currently get, because Gundo is preferred. The reason he’s on the wing is that he’s low down the food chain, cost nothing and is compliant.