It's Quiet 17 - Glory Thread

[TonyM]

This the reverse is far more likely

Unfortunately I agree. But there's still hope.

 

[Franknorgrovesnephew]

you surely havent got dias as a back up to stones have you?

Was just thinking the same

 

[Hashim]

Cucurella and Gusto are good backups for Cancelo and Walker. Good enough to warm the bench and play when needed but not to demand to be a starter in a team like City, I also could see Gusto becoming good enough to be a starter after two years under Pep he has the potential and is still pretty young unless he self-sabotage. You never know with young players.

 

[blueparrot]

Unfortunately I agree. But there's still hope.

Personally I'm okay if Sterling stays, think with a striker we'd see the best of him again.

 

[waspish]

What have you heard ?

Nothing just putting it out there

 

[wolviedinho]

De Jong is a weird player who is neither Pep's 6 nor 8. Gained his reputation at Ajax playing as a 'libero' shifting between defence and midfield. He's basically a 'Pirlo' with a dribbling ability, a deep lying playmaker whose main strength is connecting defence and attack.

As an 8, he hasn't set the world alight at Barca, lacks playmaking instincts in the final 3rd and is currently in the shade of his teammate Pedri. As a lone 6, he isn't positionally disciplined enough, so old and barely running Busi is preferred.

Initially Pep wanted De Jong as a lone pivot material. But now, having fully integrated Rodrigo, we simply don't need such an expensive understudy to him. And don't forget he had chosen Bartomeu's Barcelona over Pep's City project and was happily fucking about in Spain while Rodri worked hard to improve under Pep's guidance. Why would you want such a player in the team?

Besides, you have to take squad planning into account.
We have enough players for two '8' spots - KdB, Grealish, Bernardo, Foden, Gundo. Add Bellingham as a rumoured transfer target next year. What we need is Rodri's capable backup. Reliable, but knowing his place in the hierarchy. Phillips arguably suits it better than glamorous FDJ.

What he said :-)

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

Sadly, the FDJ thing ain't a goer :(

Whether it be United or we haven't pursued it, don't have a Scooby.

If it's the rags, let's hope they do their usual trick and ruin him as a player then. I assume thay have thrown plenty of money at him for lowering his target of signing for a club in the CL.

Ten Hag obviously knows him as a player and so will probably have a better chance than some of their normal manager recruitment.

FDJ should have joined Pep instead of the Barca project , but shit happens.

 

[domalino]

Have you watched Fernandinho play in the last month or have you been away?

This is such an odd way of thinking.

Yes, Fernandinhos age has meant our squad has been weak all season and it’s why Liverpool are still on for a quadruple and we coughed up both cups and Pep doesn’t even make substitutions sometimes.

Kalvin Phillips can replace 37 year old Fernandinho, and the squad would still be weak compared to buying a player like 2018 Fernandinho to get the squad competing on all fronts again.

 

[wolviedinho]

Here is a thought: perhaps Pep prefers Philips.

Phillips has the potential to integrate with the squad quickly and adapt to Pep’s demands. He can run all day and break up play, witnessed at Leeds. English so would settle with his buddies.

Good lad by all accounts, not the fastest player.

Good deal

 

[Imran92]

I'd rather sign Rafael Leão than Felix if Jesus is going.

Jarrod Bowen