It’s Quiet 20 - What is the Wirtz that could happen?

[richards30]

I think this fella is having a lot more say that people think.

So he should really as the signings and players signed are his responsibility going forward?

 

[Damocles]

Every single person in the City connected press knows we're in for a midfielder.

Absolutely none of them or anybody else associated with the club knows who it is.

This is strange to me.

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

Every single person in the City connected press knows we're in for a midfielder.

Absolutely none of them or anybody else associated with the club knows who it is.

This is strange to me.

Pretty standard for a few years now though. Going back to Rodri

 

[richards30]

Every single person in the City connected press knows we're in for a midfielder.

Absolutely none of them or anybody else associated with the club knows who it is.

This is strange to me.

Which would tie in with what someone posted from twitter that Tolmie said? Either its an absolute worldie or we are struggling to get players?

 

[WesthoughtonJohn]

I appreciate things are difficult at this time of year - but it's the 15th and we've known for 2 months what we're desperately in need of!!!
Planning for the last couple of windows hasn't been great - planning for this window seems close to catastrophic currently (IMHO)

 

[better dead than red]

A lot of that team last night had a break at the weekend, why are they fucked physically and mentally? If they are, sub them! We've got loads of options available in attacking areas now, Pep needs to stop picking them if they can't put the effort in. A major part of our success, alongside the talent of the players and tactics from the manager, was the workrate which was always superb. That's gone out the window and whilst injuries/fatigue were a valid excuse a month or so ago they don't remain one now.

Compare the likes of Foden, Savinho and De Bruyne to the minutes played by Salah or some of those Brentford players.

We've got some talented youngsters who would run their socks off if picked. Foden was full of energy when it came to getting his 2nd goal, but in the first half he barely got into a jog when it came to tracking back and defending. Pep would have dragged him off at HT in previous seasons.

Agree. If some of our "stars" want to stroll about and not/can't put in as much effort as possible in all areas of the game don't pick them.

Let some of the squad or yourh players play. At least maybe they will run and attempt to press and fight for the ball. If we are getting our arses handed to us anyway with our stars playing, what's the difference if we lose 3-1 or 3-0?

 

[pavelsrnicek]

Pretty standard for a few years now though. Going back to Rodri

Usually there’s something out there, Rodri was linked some months before he joined. Often our MO is to do some ground work in January and tie it up in the summer window so January speculated targets are often bought in the summer.

We were linked with Zubimendi and Guimaraes before the window opened and then briefed that we weren’t just before Christmas. Which makes me think they were first choice and we were rebuffed.

Since then we’ve been linked with Ederson by the likes of Gaughan but that has gone very quiet. One Italian source has linked us with Rovella, apart from that, all quiet.

 

[WesthoughtonJohn]

I wish transfer negotiations were as easy as some think on here.

I agree, but at the same time certain discussions should have started weeks ago surely??
It's the apparent lack of forward thinking that people are concerned with

 

[Dribble]

Pep said in his embargoed press conference the other day that Ferran wants young players that the club can have for a few years and then they have a big sell on value whereas Pep would prefer proven players in their mid 20`s who can instantly play to a high level.

My take on Pep's comments were the club prefer to make signings for the long-term, but Guardiola would prefer a mixture of players who're ready now, with younger players in place to replace our ageing stars in 2-3 years.

Pep then added the club suggested starting a rebuild last summer, but Pep decided he wanted to keep faith with the squad who'd won 4 titles on the bounce.

However, injuries to Bobb, Rodri, Stones, KDB, Aké, Kovacic, Dias & Gvardiol, with no immediate cover available has changed everything. Hence Pep saying he probably should've started the rebuild last summer.

Ultimately, the lesson learned is we need to keep the squad refreshed & always have our succession planning on the boil. Rinsing out such a small squad over several seasons is bound to have repercussions, as we're now finding out.

Added to the three signings touted, we desperately need a Rodri replacement, a RB, a LB, a replacement for Gundog & the succession planning for KDB. That's 8 players needed, & the fact it's become a desperate situation seems to be on Pep by his own admission.

 

[Damanino]

that PSG game is scary as we cannot register new midfielder to that anyway and the idea of Kovacic with no press front of him has to stop a younger PSG midfield. they have been shit in CL so far, but same can be said about City with only able to beat the dross like Bratislava and Prague.

but then the run of Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle games will test our midfield even more and have a big say in our top4 chance those will be all 6 pointers from top4 perspective.

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

Usually there’s something out there, Rodri was linked some months before he joined. Often our MO is to do some ground work in January and tie it up in the summer window so January speculated targets are often bought in the summer.

We were linked with Zubimendi and Guimaraes before the window opened and then briefed that we weren’t just before Christmas. Which makes me think they were first choice and we were rebuffed.

Since then we’ve been linked with Ederson by the likes of Gaughan but that has gone very quiet. One Italian source has linked us with Rovella, apart from that, all quiet.

club is saying nothing and everyone guessing it pretty much par for the course. Im not worried, used to it. only Guaghan really had a proper guess at the names and the club rebuffed 3.

Silence doesnt equal doing nothing imo.

 

[better dead than red]

The issue there is Juvé reportedly want a loan with a £50m obligation to buy. There's the sticking point right there. An option to buy would be much more palatable.

Offer them a loan where they pay 80% of his wages and we have an option to buy him for eight eggs, a ball of twine and £500.38. That's how Italian clubs do it, isn't it?

 

[Dribble]

Even without all the injury issues we’d still need cover for Haaland and two full backs. It’s fucking ridiculous, no club can just sit and watch players get older and slower without trying to improve. Two young centre backs might be great as future signings but we need ready made midfielders, striker and full backs this season.

Remember how far ahead we were of every team in the league. Now poor recruitment and fear of upsetting the cartel by actually spending on better players has fucked us up. It’s like we’ve let the red shirt cunts’ plan to rein us in work. How the fuck has that happened.

Fuck the bastards, spend some bloody money and get in the very best that can be persuaded to come, while we’re still vaguely decent and still have Pep! Spend some fucking money City!

 

[borassic]

club is saying nothing and everyone guessing it pretty much par for the course. Im not worried, used to it. only Guaghan really had a proper guess at the names and the club rebuffed 3.

Silence doesnt equal doing nothing imo.

Maybe they see Rodders back faster than expected as well

 

[Le Havre Oswald]

Every single person in the City connected press knows we're in for a midfielder.

Absolutely none of them or anybody else associated with the club knows who it is.

This is strange to me.

Strange and exciting

 

[Coatigan]

Why can’t we utilise the loan market?

For a DM many have said we might struggle due to Rodri coming back and players realise that he will be number 1 when he’s back.

But we can’t continue with Kova or Gundo. They have no legs.

Now as we know in our team a DM is quite an important position but we don’t have to spend £80 odd mil.

I’d bring in D.Luiz. He’s trained with Pep many times so knows what’s expected. We wouldn’t need him long term and he gets about the pitch better than Gundo so be a no brainier for me on loan.

All that makes sense.

Assuming Luiz wants to move, less than 6 months after moving, to them move again in 6 months. Rather than trying to settle at his current club and in Turin. And assuming Juventus want to lwt him leave for nothing mid way after paying 40m+ for him, only to bring him back and start all over again next year.

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

Maybe they see Rodders back faster than expected as well

Doubt it, just think there are far more moving parts than people think. Clubs, Players, Family's, Agents, Lawyers, Medical, Analysts, Scout etc all with input and mind changes to deal with on the fly.

If player X says no, city have moved on to Y, his club hear and decided to see what they can get, do city go back up the list, and start again etc..

Gotta get it right over getting it done. Still plenty of time before desperation punts for me.

 

[pavelsrnicek]

Maybe they see Rodders back faster than expected as well

Even if he was back in April the damage will have been done. We have an incredibly difficult set of fixtures from now to the middle of March, if we play as we did yesterday we will really struggle for points, despite our improved attacking performance. Our midfield is incapable of providing any cover out of possession and our back 4 is getting pummelled.

We desperately need a competent defensive midfielder.

 

[Damocles]

Pretty standard for a few years now though. Going back to Rodri

Hard disagree. Even when they don't print it, the journos always know who it is that's being targeted. Khusanov was known by the City guys back in November. People won't believe this but it's absolutely true; journos often have to have multiple sources or really strong links rather than just gossip before they're willing to print something. The guys worth their salt anyway, and there also might be conflicts with the club. 99% of signings are known long before they go to print.
The fact everybody knows we're in for someone but nobody seemingly knows who it is is a definite rarity.

Which would tie in with what someone posted from twitter that Tolmie said? Either its an absolute worldie or we are struggling to get players?

I don't really have any analysis on what that means, I just think it's a somewhat exceptional situation.

 

[Damanino]

transfer window still open for almost 3 more weeks.

closing on 3rd of February Monday 11pm.

but rumours say Txiki is taking 2 weeks leave now and he is only back around the 30th.
:)