We can’t know yet, but from the bits I’ve seen Bobb is a level above previous academy players since Foden and could well follow the Foden path. Obviously impossible to know yet and could be wrong. That’s my feeling though and one I never had with Palmer.The yearly illusion of thinking the Academy kid or loanee will play a significant role. This summer it’s Bobb. I’d be surprised if he’s still in the squad in September. Another “highly rated” to go on loan in the second division. Better that than staying and not playing
Essentially, we need a top-tier winger and CM. In that aspect, I agree with @BrazilianGus . We need to replace quality with quality. Top quality. We cannot rely on Gomez or Bobb to deliver because whereas we all want them to succeed, they might fail. We need to close the Gvardiol deal AND add two world-class players. Especially for the wing, it has to be world-class. In CM, we could probably get away with a young world-class potential talent signing, but we need someone ready-made for the wing, IMO. Of course, I am assuming Walker, Mahrez, and Bernardo are all off. If Bernardo was to stay, one world-class player would be sufficient, a Mahrez replacement, a Wirtz perhaps (to lower the age of the team), someone versatile like that.Ederson/Ortega/Carson
Akanji/Pavard/Dias/Ake/Gvardiol
Stones/Lewis
Rodri/Phillips
KDB/Foden/Kovacic/ +1
Grealish/Alvarez/ +1 / Gomez/Bobb
Haaland
That’s 22 players, 8 home grown, 3 club trained. Plenty of experience and versatility.
I’m assuming Gvardiol gets done.
Big signing for CM, what’s being reported currently FDJ not sure that will happen but right level to go for. Foden might be needed wide, KDB injured and needs to be managed, Phillips who knows and Kov first season. This needs to be a big singing.
I think someone experienced out wide, but with Foden potentially still playing wide, Grealish and I still think Alvarez gets serious minutes there we could see a smart signing here I’ll use Olise as an example. Personally would prefer someone like Sane.
Pretty similar to last season without Perrone there. If we are going into next season with 1/2 more I expect youth players to still be involved. If Gomez goes I wouldn’t be surprised if Palmer stays. Think we see two of Bobb/Palmer/Gomez still around. Perrone goes on loan. Kov will play a lot and hopefully Phillips looks like he’ll play. That could be a big issue if he doesn’t.Still VERY thin considering they have more games next season, PLUS flying to the Middle East mid season. Add internationals to that… going from experienced players to youth isn’t ideal this season.
We’ve heard this before, every year is “this one is for real”. In the case of a Lavia he may well be, but still didn’t cut it. Best case scenario for Bobb is Palmer does go and he takes that limited cameo role in the squad. But that’s basically a presence in training above anything bar early Carabao cup games. I suspect Lavia is now the model, they go for playing time and in a year all the big clubs will be wanting them.We can’t know yet, but from the bits I’ve seen Bobb is a level above previous academy players since Foden and could well follow the Foden path. Obviously impossible to know yet and could be wrong. That’s my feeling though and one I never had with Palmer.
The squad still would be thin if we did move Gomez on especially with experience training under Pep's new system. The likes of Lewis and especially Foden (although last season was one of he worse seasons at City since he broke through from the EDS) would be fine as they are used to Pep's new system. In strength in numbers then yes we are covered but in terms of quality I'm not so on.This is a bug bear of mine, as it stands we are 1 player short of our maximum 21 players plus Foden from the 4 academy trained allowance, which we can’t do anything about. Adding McAtee, Lewis and Bobb as U21 s will help too.
Those 20/21 are a much higher quality on the whole than any other clubs 21. So it isn’t true that it’s thin. If any player goes they will need replacing but as it stands today the squad isn’t thin.
Players like him, Gomez, Palmer, Bobb etc are one conversation. It’s about filler holes to filled. When we talk about who’s replacing Mahrez, Laporte, Bernardo, Walker, those are players who will play a significant role, who need a certain level of experience and solid quality behind their backs. It’s an entirely different conversation and we shouldn’t mix them upI also completely forgot to put McAtee in there as cover for CM
But you don’t know anymore than I know. Foden was thats rare, Lewis doesn’t seem to be being considered for a loan and played more than most young players. Personally I see more in Bobb than I ever saw in Palmer.We’ve heard this before, every year is “this one is for real”. In the case of a Lavia he may well be, but still didn’t cut it. Best case scenario for Bobb is Palmer does go and he takes that limited cameo role in the squad. But that’s basically a presence in training above anything bar early Carabao cup games. I suspect Lavia is now the model, they go for playing time and in a year all the big clubs will be wanting them.
I agree. Like I said we could be replacing Walker with Pavard, Laporte with Gvardiol etc. but it’s about a squad of players and we will fill it with players like Gomez, Palmer, McAtee and Bobb.Players like him, Gomez, Palmer, Bobb etc are one conversation. It’s about filler holes to filled. When we talk about who’s replacing Mahrez, Laporte, Bernardo, Walker, those are players who will play a significant role, who need a certain level of experience and solid quality behind their backs. It’s an entirely different conversation and we shouldn’t mix them up
When did Mahrez, Laporte, Bernardo or Walker leave, let alone all of them! I missed that… aren’t you just full of sunshine after our treble season.Players like him, Gomez, Palmer, Bobb etc are one conversation. It’s about filler holes to filled. When we talk about who’s replacing Mahrez, Laporte, Bernardo, Walker, those are players who will play a significant role, who need a certain level of experience and solid quality behind their backs. It’s an entirely different conversation and we shouldn’t mix them up
I just don’t see how he doesn’t get his move after two summers of waiting and a new cycle in his personal life. Mendes has the Saudi offer and that’s pretty tasty. He can do two years there and go back to Benfica or a sunny Spanish city and still play at a high level. Small things, but the “please don’t go” from Grealish and the way Pep hugged him in Istambul are signs they knew what’s up. Of course it’s pending on a check coming in, but I fully believe it will this time. The club won’t block itBernardo I don’t see going. Unless PSG come in with 80 million
So Walker , Laporte , Mahrez are going
They’ve not left yet but they’ve basically got one foot out the door.
Walkers agreed personal terms with Bayern just need to agree a transfer fee with us.
Mahrez is just about us agreeing a transfer fee, as he’s agreed personal terms with the team he wants to join
Laporte is going for Gvardiol. With Gvardiol coming in there’s no room for another CB so Laporte is going from reports.
Bernardo I don’t see going. Unless PSG come in with 80 million
So it’s going to be
Laporte > Gvardiol
Walker > Pavard from reports
Mahrez > ?
There will the equivalent of your post on every single page and yet I can see no change whatsoever andI find it incredible that some of you think our club (the best run club in the world as our trophies and dominance proves) have suddenly abandoned all their acumen and principles and are now playing the footballing equivalent of pin the tail on the donkey!
C'mon.....have a word and get a grip,people.
So the club will tell Bernardo, oh you were just unlucky not to have made your mind up before your colleagues! Sounds plausible. Bernardo is probably the departure they were the most prepared for besides Gundogan.I think if Walker and Mahrez leave this week, the club will say to Bernardo you are going nowhere unless an absolute ridiculous bid comes in.
The club don't have to do anything with Bernardo, he has 2 years left on his deal, is 28 and we will still get 40m for him next summer with one year left and nearly 30.
At the end of the day, the bids haven't been coming in for him, and if he thinks we will let him go for £50m or some other low-ball offer he can think again.
We cannot let Walker and Mahrez leave alongside Gundogan and likely Laporte AND Bernardo in the same window. There is simply not enough quality on the market to replace them all in one hit so therefore we will be weaker as a team and squad. In fact, I think it would lead us to maybe even panic buy or panic loan to make up numbers.
There will the equivalent of your post on every single page and yet I can see no change whatsoever and@richards30the wobblers just carry on wobbling.
Me too. But the consensus seems to be that he’s not a ’Pep player’. I assume this relates to his technical skills because he’s a helluva goal scorer.Would love to see Borges involved with the first team this season, seems a real talent
The tread should be retitled. I suggestI find it incredible that some of you think our club (the best run club in the world as our trophies and dominance proves) have suddenly abandoned all their acumen and principles and are now playing the footballing equivalent of pin the tail on the donkey!
C'mon.....have a word and get a grip,people.
So the club will tell Bernardo, oh you were just unlucky not to have made your mind up before your colleagues! Sounds plausible. Bernardo is probably the departure they were the most prepared for besides Gundogan.