It's Quiet - a new dawn

[bugsyblue]

All true, but look at the players we had.

Apart from Kelechi's goals tally, how much better off would we be, with Kolarov playing 3 times a week if Clichy had been injured, or Navas having 20 games rather than making a weekly choice between Pat Roberts, Diaz, Foden, & several other kids ? And that's after using DeBruyne there or Bernardo Silva, who plays Navas' position, for Portugal.

We are already miles stronger in every department, than last season imo, apart from if Vinny gets injured.

We should have absolutely kept Maffeo. I think he could do a job for us this season, especially if Mendy picks up an injury as Danilo will be covering left back in that scenario.

I'd also like to see Foden and Diaz given opportunities. Maybe even Muric in the league cup? Anyway this is slightly off topic.

 

[peter barnes ate my hamster]

Think there will be plenty of games , especially at home where we are 3 or 4 goals up, where Pep will bring on the youth and give them a taste of premier league football. Did it a few times last year but can see it happening a bit more often with the thinning out of the squad.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Yeah I think my number one position to fill would be full back because we know it's such an important position and I just don't see cover in the kids that are still in Manchester.

I don't see a suitable left back amongst them either tbh. Angelino appears to be just too lightweight as fullback so would have to be left wingback if he played & it looks like Pep has already got Sane lined up for that job should it become necessary.

But imo Danilo plus Sane covering Mendy, is better than Kolarov covering Mendy & a million times better than Kolarov covering Clichy.

 

[Neville Kneville]

We should have absolutely kept Maffeo. I think he could do a job for us this season, especially if Mendy picks up an injury as Danilo will be covering left back in that scenario.

I'd also like to see Foden and Diaz given opportunities. Maybe even Muric in the league cup? Anyway this is slightly off topic.

It's relevant to signings.

As I posted above, Sane wingback plus Danilo, leftback/wingback is better than Clichy/Kolarov imo. Then we have Mendy.

 

[Cobra]

We should have absolutely kept Maffeo. I think he could do a job for us this season, especially if Mendy picks up an injury as Danilo will be covering left back in that scenario.

I'd also like to see Foden and Diaz given opportunities. Maybe even Muric in the league cup? Anyway this is slightly off topic.

Duhaney improved massively last season, perhaps he'll be given a chance in the league cup.

 

[domalino]

Well, indeed. Assuming we add a centre half and a forward (and those surplus to requirements leave) then we'll have 20 senior pros this season which should provide greater opportunities for youngsters to break through.

I was looking at this yestrerday.

11/12 - 25 senior players 8 youth Apps
12/13 - 25 8

13/14 - 23 5
14/15 - 22 4
15/16 - 22 51 (35 Kelechi, 8 in the FA Cup game)

16/17 - 23 17 (46 if you still include Kelechi at this point)
17/18 - 20(?)

Mancini with a full 25 man squad played 2x as much as Pellegrini with 22 players, and when Pep had the same 23 man squad as Pellegrini he played the kids 3x as much.

I think it's a case of "If you don't want to use kids, you won't", whether that's with a 20 man squad or 25

 

[bugsyblue]

It's relevant to signings.

As I posted above, Sane wingback plus Danilo, leftback/wingback is better than Clichy/Kolarov imo. Then we have Mendy.

Sane as a wingback won't work mate IMO. But Mendy and Danilo is a massive up grade on Clichy/Kolarov, absolutely.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Sane as a wingback won't work mate IMO. But Mendy and Danilo is a massive up grade on Clichy/Kolarov, absolutely.

I thought Sane was fantastic there v Chelsea.

Problem came when he went off.

 

[Gabriel]

Think there will be plenty of games , especially at home where we are 3 or 4 goals up, where Pep will bring on the youth and give them a taste of premier league football. Did it a few times last year but can see it happening a bit more often with the thinning out of the squad.

That's been the thinking at the start of the last few seasons. However, the 'youth' have not always been on the bench and we've rarely had the luxury of being so many goals to the good to deploy them. I hope you're correct this season.

 

[SilverFox2]

That's been the thinking at the start of the last few seasons. However, the 'youth' have not always been on the bench and we've rarely had the luxury of being so many goals to the good to deploy them. I hope you're correct this season.

If last season anything to go by Pep is likely to highlight any purchase deficiencies by picking a player who is unlikely to improve that position.
He wants it to be his team that succeeds so worthy or not I cannot see him picking academy graduates for any extended period, he reserves chance after chance for his signings.

Hope I am wrong and our youth is given a chance.