Yep, we've been well and truly surpassed by the scousers and Arsenal and possibly Chelsea now with regards to recruitment. And I'd argue that they've overtaken us on the pitch as well, we didn't get close to them last season home and away Stones's last gasp goal rescuing a point and that was it100% agree. Our signings since 2023 have either been a combination of negligence, arrogance or poor scouting. Or lack of ambition as we’ve signed players no top club would have signed - but us. Add to that we’ve given huge salaries to players (Marmoush on £295k a week is criminal) we’ve signed, and offered new contracts to poorer performers (Dias, Lewis). We pulled out of signing Rice in 2023 and didn’t want to bid for Bruno Guimeres in 2024.
2023 signing:
Gvardiol - brilliant
Kova - poor
Doku - poor
Nunes - poor
2024 signings
Savio - inconsistent
Gundo - should not have been re-signed
2025 signings
Marmoush: inconsistent
Nico: not trusted by Pep
Khush: played first league game since March
Reis: one for future when our need is now
I strongly believe the summer signings will come good - but none are a patch on the players they are replacing or our past standard.
Add to the above the players we’ve let leave from Academy in past 3 years: Cole Palmer, Pedro Porro, Morgan Rogers etc.
Liverpool have shown how you strengthen from a position of being champions and sold well: we are selling distressed assets as our players have performed badly and we’ve given them huge contracts which other clubs don’t want to take.
I hope we see the light but I’m not convinced: we are still fishing in a market which is full of either promising or B rate players.
And a Left BackSo Kyle Walker leaves the club in January and in the following two transfer windows we sign 3 goalkeepers, 3 centre backs, 2 midfielders and 2 forwards. 10 signings and no replacement right back.
Negligence
You may be right, but there's no joy in it.I just don’t see that. Cherki was trying flicks near his own box against Spurs. Marmoush, Bobb and Doku are very much playing their natural games when on the pitch. The lack of quality signings is the issue rather than this narrative that’s been created that Pep won’t let players play.
Then you have no idea as to how our transfer dealings work.I don’t buy that for one second. The club look at Nunes and Rico and think yeah there is zero better options out there.
Of course it matters.You could have also included Stones,Dias,Foden all who who have been shit.Jesus Christ, does it matter?! I was trying to make the point that deliberating so much in the transfer market is undermined when so many of the players in the squad aren't up to the standard required.
Fine. Add them to the list.Of course it matters.You could have also included Stones,Dias,Foden all who who have been shit.
Yep, and Rico is apparently only 20 years old at the moment.I don’t buy that for one second. The club look at Nunes and Rico and think yeah there is zero better options out there.
It started with so much promise getting deals done early for the CWC but then we took the foot off it seems.Any confirmation of any of our dealings today?
I find it so bizarre how it just drags and then nothing.
And I take it Ortega is going to be sat twiddling his thumbs?
Been a bit of a fractured day for us.
Its not a case of a, b or c being better,there is other criteria that has to be met, availability, cost, salary, and I don`t think you understand that one of Citys top criteria is how will they fit in with our club. Technically they may be what were after but if they are known troublemakers and have a piss poor agent we stay way clear.I don’t buy that for one second. The club look at Nunes and Rico and think yeah there is zero better options out there.
Well there’s 19 better options in the premier league alone, could also argue few in the championship too.I don’t buy that for one second. The club look at Nunes and Rico and think yeah there is zero better options out there.
You brought the list up, not me.Fine. Add them to the list.
exactlyI just don’t see that. Cherki was trying flicks near his own box against Spurs. Marmoush, Bobb and Doku are very much playing their natural games when on the pitch. The lack of quality signings is the issue rather than this narrative that’s been created that Pep won’t let players play.
You did due diligence on them all did you? Then why didn't we buy one of them...I'd like to know the reasons why they failed the due diligence.Well there’s 19 better options in the premier league alone, could also argue few in the championship too.
Why are you judging City players after 3 games? At least give them half a season.exactly
Some fans just cannot accept that some of our players are just not that good...the blue tinted glasses are so strong that they lose all sense of realism. They cannot judge players objectively or impartially. Rico Lewis is supported unequivically because he is a local lad....Very few offer the same level of defence for Nunes for instance (both arent good enough). Doku must be good enough ( a player who I genuinely like) becuase he was picked by the club....
Even the best make mistakes.....we have made qute a few recently in the transfer window
The one hope is that we still have the best manager in the world - if he gets anywhere near winning anything this year then he deserves even more credit as this is the weakest squad he has had in terms of quality since he took over....huge problems at right back, centre half. and midfield balance with a lack of creativity and will to win...there are few born winners with the correct mindset in this team and that is another huge problem. Outside of Haaland and Rodri there are no born winners in this team
They will…One things for sure,
Wissa and Isak are a pair of c***s
Hope they both flop.
Still older than teen superstar Jude Bellingham.Yep, and Rico is apparently only 20 years old at the moment.
What on earth are you on about? I’m making the point every other club in the league has at least one capable/ specialist right back who is more accomplished than what we have. How can you even dispute that?You did due diligence on them all did you? Then why didn't we buy one of them...I'd like to know the reasons why they failed the due diligence.