It's Quiet 18 - Wanna ring the bell?

We are going to lose Bernardo and it sounds like Laporte is going as well (no surprise as he always sulks when his place is under threat or he is not getting game time - great player but we cant have that attitude around the squad)
Losing Bernardo is a huge loss. - we are not going to be able to replace his skill set combined with work rate and tenacity.

I think there are other areas of the squad that need looking at.

1. Left back. - bloody obvious but its still a problem - Im hoping we are going to go out and get a specialist left back - not a player who can be turned into one and we need to be aiming higher than Chlwell..and with his injury record you just know we would be without a left back through the season if we bought him.....

2. A wide player who will actually run and take players on/make defenders commit and unlike Grealish/Mahrez who run at players then either lose the ball, get fouled or turn back or inside and pass that way

3. THE BIG ELEPHANT in the room is KDB - we need to assess whether he can play another season at the very tp level and we can build our midfield around him or do we get someone else in. Bellingham is a Gundo replacement and wont very be the creative force of a KDB - losing Bernardo combined with a drop off in KDB's levels is a huge loss and it needs to be addressed. Grealish IS NOT going to fill that void even if he is moved inside...he doesnt have a final pass, he doesnt have the delivery ...Grealish is a ball carrier - but so is Bellingham...at present we are looking very one dimentiosnal in midfield with what is being suggested - unless we change style and go and buy creative wide players....The only other player is Foden...he is the closest to Bernardo and hopefully may help to fill a centra creative void.

4. Walker - looks like he has lost that little something at present - could be a blip but age catches up with everyone and even though he is a hell of an athlete he isnt going to be able to carry on....Rico Lewis has shown that in one way he can fill that void but there are still questions whether he can offer the defensive side....we also lose the safety net of Walkers pace on the counter attack - do we need another right back?

5. Centre back - Laporte could be off - but there is also the fitness issues of John Stones - without looking at the stats he seems to miss quite a lot of games every season and Pep is openly mindful of this when he talks about Stones. TH has said we will get Gvardiol but do we need another - maybe not if we get a left back and can use Ake as another centre half?

Overall we need

1 a left back
2. at least 2 midfielders - one being similar in mould to a david silva/bernardo silva etc
3. at least one centre half
4. a creative wide player.

On the outs Id let go

1. Mahrez - he has shown yet again the huge inconsistencies in his game throughout the season....turns it on every now and then for a few games but then disappears
2. Laporte
3. Bernardo - dont want him to go but its seems certain
4. Cancello

Then there are stlil questions around

1. Phillips....step up or leave
2. Grealish - he has had a considerable bedding in period....he still for me hasnt done anywhere near enough to suggest he is good enough to take on the mantle on a city midfielder in any shape or form.
 
5. Centre back - Laporte could be off - but there is also the fitness issues of John Stones - without looking at the stats he seems to miss quite a lot of games every season and Pep is openly mindful of this when he talks about Stones. TH has said we will get Gvardiol but do we need another - maybe not if we get a left back and can use Ake as another centre half?
I think gvaridol coming in is enough in terms of cbs it will be gvaridol and ake for left centre back cover

dias stone and akanji for right side cover.

Also dias can play left side if needed like we saw when dias and stones were cb partnership
 
I think a lot of people underestimate Rice, he carries the ball really well and seems to have a good attitude/will to improve.

I would prefer Lavia back, though. If it’s a choice.
 
I think a lot of people underestimate Rice, he carries the ball really well and seems to have a good attitude/will to improve.

I would prefer Lavia back, though. If it’s a choice.

If its Rice maybe its an alternative to Bellingham?
 

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