Is left back really a problem?

Larry Stranger said:
IMO having an attacking LB is actually one of the problems. Mendy's hasn't been too bad attacking, but the positioning is the problem. Having the LB high and wide means they are unable to get back against counter attacks. So even if you have someone better than Mendy attacking, we would still have this problem because of the positioning.

It's better to have a capable left winger and/or 2 left sided players who can link up. This is why I can see the Grealish links. He can be another option on the left with Foden in case of injury, rotation etc. Having that type of player who can link up with the left sided midfielder means the LB can stay back further. Zinch is good in retaining possession, recycling and keeping the ball moving. Not the greatest defender, but the positioning of the inverted LB helps stops counter attacks on its own.
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I think grealish will be the big signing we go for
 
No, left back isn’t a problem. We have 1 defensive midfielder if Fernandinho retires or moves on, 1 striker when Aguero moves on and we’ve had no left winger since Sane was sold.

I class Zinchenko as a left back now so there are two there and Mendy isn’t as bad as what’s made out on here.

I doubt we can get a DMC, AML and SC within our budget, ideally Fernandinho commits for another year, Grealish is bought for the left and we can either play Jesus/Doyle next season or play with no striker.

Replace Aguero the season after next if we need to and upgrade LB the season after worst case assuming Mendy doesn’t fulfil potential.
 
Granted we can improve the position but who would we get? There aren't a lot of options out there that will be a clear-cut better option than what we have.
 
bluesteel said:
No, left back isn’t a problem. We have 1 defensive midfielder if Fernandinho retires or moves on, 1 striker when Aguero moves on and we’ve had no left winger since Sane was sold.

I class Zinchenko as a left back now so there are two there and Mendy isn’t as bad as what’s made out on here.

I doubt we can get a DMC, AML and SC within our budget, ideally Fernandinho commits for another year, Grealish is bought for the left and we can either play Jesus/Doyle next season or play with no striker.

Replace Aguero the season after next if we need to and upgrade LB the season after worst case assuming Mendy doesn’t fulfil potential.
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Mendy is crap. He cannot run, cannot defend at all and his tackling abilities is zero. Puts in 1 decent cross a game. If he isn't up to his potential now, he never will.
 
Gus Cruz said:
Told by whom?
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With regards Bertrand I was told by my nephews. One still has a lot of contacts at City. He came through the youth teams and was brought through the ranks while Mancini was there.

With Grealish it was from a villa fan and while I didnt really take him seriously he was adamant. I'm only passing on what I have heard.
 
Zinchenko isn't a problem but Mendy is. That's how I'd probably answer the question posed in the title.
 
Seems we may need a left back in the summer. Chelsea seem to have announced that they’ve bought him and class him as a goalie

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I guess it depends what you define as a problem. Have we managed without a proper left back for the past 3-4 years, yes. So not a problem really. Would we be even better with a proper left back, quite probably. Has it cost us when we've had to play Mendy there... probably not in overall terms. The FA Cup semi final loss wasn't his fault and it's never been the sole reason we've missed out on winning things. Delph did an admirable job there. Zinchenko has improved with every season too. Cancelo can do a job but is inarguably better on the right.

We could do with signing a left back, but I still wouldn't put it as a priority over getting in a goal scorer and for purely selfish reasons, signing Grealish just because I think he's class and could play anywhere from Gundogan forwards/wide and make us better.
 
bluesteel said:
No, left back isn’t a problem. We have 1 defensive midfielder if Fernandinho retires or moves on, 1 striker when Aguero moves on and we’ve had no left winger since Sane was sold.

I class Zinchenko as a left back now so there are two there and Mendy isn’t as bad as what’s made out on here.

I doubt we can get a DMC, AML and SC within our budget, ideally Fernandinho commits for another year, Grealish is bought for the left and we can either play Jesus/Doyle next season or play with no striker.

Replace Aguero the season after next if we need to and upgrade LB the season after worst case assuming Mendy doesn’t fulfil potential.
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Mendy has demonstrated clearly what his potential is and it is one that does not include a long term future.
 
supercity88 said:
I guess it depends what you define as a problem. Have we managed without a proper left back for the past 3-4 years, yes. So not a problem really. Would we be even better with a proper left back, quite probably. Has it cost us when we've had to play Mendy there... probably not in overall terms. The FA Cup semi final loss wasn't his fault and it's never been the sole reason we've missed out on winning things. Delph did an admirable job there. Zinchenko has improved with every season too. Cancelo can do a job but is inarguably better on the right.

We could do with signing a left back, but I still wouldn't put it as a priority over getting in a goal scorer and for purely selfish reasons, signing Grealish just because I think he's class and could play anywhere from Gundogan forwards/wide and make us better.
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Perfectly summarised.
 
Just reading about a lad called Javi Galan, plays for Huesca who just got relegated. Apparently has a 4m euro buy out clause. He is 26 but I just wonder if we might consider a cheap option as a more reliable LB.

I thought I would compare some numbers.
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The numbers are pretty good imo, especially in a pretty crap team. I am interested to see where he goes. Probably too much of a step up to join us but still one to keep an eye on.
 
Edwin Edwin said:
The fact that Zinchenko,a midfielder by nature,has to play for it not to be a big problem,says it all really. The other 'options' stink out the place whenever
5 years in into Pep's tenure and we still don't have a reliable left back. A disgrace.
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Zinchy is a reliable left back , he fits us perfectly ,he has retrained
 
Well Left back isn’t a problem( performance wise) as Zinckenko is comfortable at that position. Defensive midfielder is a problem as Fernandinho is 36 and could leave or retire in the summer. If he leaves, now Rodri is going to be first choice and we need a solid backup defensive midfielder by selling Ben Mendy for about £20m and buying Edson Alvarez from Ajax. He’s only 23 so he’s about the same age as Rodri and he’s worth about £12m on transfermarkt. So we can buy him for about £15m and use the remaining £5m to buy a backup left back from the Championship. I found a guy named Max Lowe who plays for Sheffield and he’s soIid in defense. He’s worth only about £3m but he just joined them last summer so we have to pay a bit of a premium.
 
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