It's Quiet 18 - Wanna ring the bell?

[TonyM]

The KDB injury has scrambled peoples’ minds.

 

[JWCH-99]

22 man squad including kev- so exactly the same as in every one of the last 5 seasons- the magic number. In that time we’ve won 4 premier leagues and multiple cups- what the hell is anyone worrying about.

Of course you can say oh what happens if we have massive injury problems. First of all at times we’ve had a few big injuries in those last 5 seasons and coped. Secondly, what do you suggest we do? Go and get some top players to just sit on the bench in case- whose that good for? It presents potential issues with unhappy players. We also now have a team that’s at a level where there are very few players we can bring in who will be willing to sit on a bench and not be a big drop off from the starting XI. City will have planned for all eventualities as usual.

Time to focus on the season!

 

[PragueBlue]

When you look at the squad, you have to look at it not only in terms of numbers but in terms of how comfortable you would be with said players starting regularly.

For example, I'd be relatively comfortable relying on the following players:

Ederson, Ortega
Walker, Stones, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Ake, Lewis
Rodri, Kovacic, Nunes, Bernardo, Foden, KDB
Haaland, Alvarez, Doku, Grealish

19 players (two of which haven't even made their debut) who I wouldn't wory about if I saw them on the team sheet. Then you have the likes of Gomez and Phillips who will fill out the bench, and Bobb as a prospect. Add in Carson, and it's a 23 man squad.

But KDB is injured until January at least. Stones, Kovacic and Doku are all prone to injury. Lewis is a teenager and his physicality is a slight concern.

Less than a month into the season and we've already had injuries, illnesses or fitness concerns with Stones, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Bernardo, KDB, Foden, Grealish and Alvarez.

Numbers wise, we're similar to last year. But have the changes improved the squad, or, at least until the new arrivals fulfil their potential, weakened it?

Slightly strengthened it IMO. We have lost a certain amount of quality in Gundogan and Mahrez but they were both in their 30s with not long left at the highest level and replaced them with high quality, younger players. I think we'll be just fine.

 

[WRicko]

I will Gomez get many games ? Will he play further forward ? Do we need some traditional left and right backs ? Walker is an older player who needs to be at peak fitness Gomez is not that experienced Cancelo is off. Mendy is gone we don’t have a first choice left back or do we even have a second choice right back with Lewis playing in the middle. We have loads of money saved up where better to spend it ?

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

One thing on that is that I really hope (for both us & the player's confidence) that we can get Bobb out of the door on loan in January.

Hopefully letting him get his education training with the first team, and then into a Championship team where he'll play against blokes will benefit him, because he looked off it physically during pre-season (most particularly against Bayern where even their young kids were bullying him off the ball).

Not seen a lot of him in the reserves, and apparently he's good, so absolutely no to a sale, but he does need to make a lot of progress even to get to Rico levels (and I don't think that Rico is up to it yet physically either).

No chance Bobb gets loaned out this season now.

 

[AkanjisAfro]

did steffan ever leave?

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

did steffan ever leave?

Nope. Listed on transfermrkt as our player and out injured following a knee operation.

 

[PragueBlue]

I will Gomez get many games ? Will he play further forward ? Do we need some traditional left and right backs ? Walker is an older player who needs to be at peak fitness Gomez is not that experienced Cancelo is off. Mendy is gone we don’t have a first choice left back or do we even have a second choice right back with Lewis playing in the middle. We have loads of money saved up where better to spend it ?

We don't really need FBs at the minute. Akanji and Stones can cover the traditional RB position (along with Walker of course) and Gvardiol, Ake and Akanji have all successfully played LB for us.

 

[samuelyeboah]

with KDB the squad is great and robust. without him.. it's a little light.

 

[Coatigan]

A smaller squad than last year even though there’s more matches. Make it make sense.

It is not a smaller squad than last year. It is exactly the same size.