It's Quiet 18 - Wanna ring the bell?

[pavelsrnicek]

We seem to be trying to do an awful lot with less. The squads at the start of last season and the start of the coming season are almost identical bar Gundogan and Mahrez out with Kovacic, Bobb and McAtee in. I expect Gvardiol to join and Laporte to leave. But that might be it.

If that’s the case, which is a very big if, then we’re taking a huge gamble. Mahrez and Gundogan are big losses. For my money I think Kovacic will do well with us but may also be our main cover for Rodri. Otherwise it’s a battle between himself, Bernardo and Foden alongside Rodri and KDB. Foden will also get a lot of game time as KDB’s replacement. Genuinely nor sure where Phillips fits in.

Means the right wing spot is up for grabs, Foden will probably be first choice after that it’s Palmer, Alvarez, maybe McAtee or Bobb. There’s options there alright but after Foden there’s a lot of question marks.

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

If we need a skilful winger who can play either flank and also stay with us long term then why not? He’s right footed, and already played senior football unlike ours, also neither Oscar or Palmer can play on the left far as I know. Definitely one to keep an eye on imo. I’m not sure which experienced wingers on the market aside Sané (which I honestly doubt can happen) can work for us and are actually attainable?

Bobb can, Palmer not so much.

 

[bluenova]

Those goals are easily replaced by Foden and Alvarez having additional game time, not sure why everyone is panicking

I think that will make some difference, but here's how many minutes they all played last season...

3856 Gundogan
3068 Mahrez
2660 Foden
2524 Alvarez

Clearly Foden and Alvarez can take up some of those minutes, but you're probably looking at an extra 2000 minutes between them (if they stay fit), compared with the nearly 7000 minutes that Gundo and Mahrez played.

 

[TB369]

Foden to compete for either wing spot it seems. With rotation offered by Bobb and Alvarez. Can’t see it any other way.

It looks likely but I can't help but feel that is weakening us a little. Foden covering the #10 spot, left wing and right wing deputy is a lot for him and if we get any injuries then we could be in serious trouble. I see Bobb getting the Palmer treatment and only getting a few minutes here and there.

 

[richards30]

So Dembele is going to PSG and Barca want Cancelo who we dont want but we need a winger................

 

[blueparrot]

I think that will make some difference, but here's how many minutes they all played last season...

3856 Gundogan
3068 Mahrez
2660 Foden
2524 Alvarez

Clearly Foden and Alvarez can take up some of those minutes, but you're probably looking at an extra 2000 minutes between them (if they stay fit), compared with the nearly 7000 minutes that Gundo and Mahrez played.

Kovacic will take a large chunk of Gundogans minutes, hard to say how many goals he'll get.

 

[waspish]

So Dembele is going to PSG and Barca want Cancelo who we dont want but we need a winger................

I'll be shocked if we buy a winger

 

[richards30]

I'll be shocked if we buy a winger

wasnt that always the plan though? If Mahrez left then he would be replaced and that came from Tolmie, Gaughan, Blackburn, Lee, Romarno etc?

 

[Kippax Street 1880]

So Dembele is going to PSG and Barca want Cancelo who we dont want but we need a winger................

Dembele would be great for the 3 games a year he's fit.

 

[Daz_Blue]

I have heard City will complete the Gvardiol and winger transfers before the end of the transfer window but my source did not indicate which transfer window. :) He did send this to prove that Txiki is hard at it ...