It's Quiet the £250m return

[simon23]

I prefer succinct than endless thread negativity.
We have a different opinion, clearly.
I think he has guile, vision, positional awareness, ability on the half-turn, passing ability and excellent close control. I think he can improve his physicality.
I haven't seen enough of Reijnders or Gonzalez to know how Rico compares with them and I would be surprised if you have.
It is right that Nunes continues to play. It was right that Rico continued to play instead of Kyle in the 2023-2024 season.
If we do not allow academy players to develop through game-time, we will be endlessly recruiting from elsewhere, and then complaining, as many do, about academy players who go on to be successful at other clubs.

I wouldnt disagre with you on any of his attributes....but most of our players have all of that and some have it at a higher level (Foden - better on the half turn and close control for instance - a player of similar stature physically but so much more of a better player) -you could say the same of Gundo

Gonzales is better at covering the ground needed to be the 6 as is Reijnders - you dont have to watch much of them to see that and to also know that this is an issue for Rico despite his good positional awareness - both players are considerably more physical than Rico - thats just plain fact - and therefore wont get a bullied as often as he does
Walker fell off a cliff and has rightly been moved on
Football doesnt allow time..Rico aint physically going to grow anymore...yes he could build up physical strength but he aint got the frame to build much more and still have the other attributes that you have mentioned (ie that agility on the half turn)
He aint quick enough to play fullback or physical enough to play in midfield - yes he can lots of technical ability (nothing that stands out above others however) - he aint going to get much quicker than he already is if at all.

We got rid of KDB cause he physically couldnt do it anymore..and he had all the technical ability and intelligence in the world...Look at how Gundo has dropped off due to a decreasing lack of physicality in his game...even walker suffered

 

[Tugay One Cup]

I’m just talking snap judgement, looked ok but nothing special. Maybe if there’s some interest in him we are prepared to sacrifice so we can try and bring in Gibbs White?

Possibly. I do think Reijnders starting as a 6 at the Club World Cup might have been a bit telling. Defending isn't his strong point and he wasn't signed on the back of his ability to play there but in possession I think he does what Pep wants Nico to do.

Still hope he stays though.

 

[oldius]

I wouldnt disagre with you on any of his attributes....but most of our players have all of that and some have it at a higher level (Foden - better on the half turn and close control for instance - a player of similar stature physically but so much more of a better player) -you could say the same of Gundo

Gonzales is better at covering the ground needed to be the 6 as is Reijnders - you dont have to watch much of them to see that and to also know that this is an issue for Rico despite his good positional awareness - both players are considerably more physical than Rico - thats just plain fact - and therefore wont get a bullied as often as he does
Walker fell off a cliff and has rightly been moved on
Football doesnt allow time..Rico aint physically going to grow anymore...yes he could build up physical strength but he aint got the frame to build much more and still have the other attributes that you have mentioned (ie that agility on the half turn)
He aint quick enough to play fullback or physical enough to play in midfield - yes he can lots of technical ability (nothing that stands out above others however) - he aint going to get much quicker than he already is if at all.

We got rid of KDB cause he physically couldnt do it anymore..and he had all the technical ability and intelligence in the world...Look at how Gundo has dropped off due to a decreasing lack of physicality in his game...even walker suffered

I think we saw in the last game that Reijnders is absolutely NOT a 6.
I don't think we have seen enough of Gonzalez nor Lewis in that position to be definitive as yet.
It looks like Gundo is moving on, at least according to social media, so that will mean one 6 gone and another not suitable.
When the dust has settled, we can all make more informed decisions.
As things stand, I think that Rico is both good enough, and homegrown, that he is worthy of his squad position. His further development will determine if that translates into regular first-team action.

 

[richards30]

BILD running with this another journalist as well said about it yesterday. Would be bizarre

Would be gutted to be honest as I think he has it to make it here. We would need to replace him though wouldn’t we?

 

[Gorbachev]

BILD running with this another journalist as well said about it yesterday. Would be bizarre

100% a panic signing after the Rodri injury and in my opinion was never first choice.

I like him as a backup option, but it seems Pep doesn't even rate him as that.

His problem is he clearly isn't a true 6, but more of an 8, and with that position relatively stacked he isnt going to play much and the club could do with freeing up foreign spots.

 

[Blue_Lightsaber]

Walker
Stones
Akanji
Wilson Esbrand
Phillips
Gunfogan
Kovacic
Mcatee
Grealish
Nunes
Doyle
Perrone
Kabore

All should be on the out list imo.

The only one from that list I wouldn't mind keeping is Nunes because of his unique skill set, and I still feel he can improve as he's still young.

Otherwise agree with each and every other on on that list!

 

[skybluepower]

EXCLUSIVE | İlkay Gündoğan has received assurance from Manchester City that there will be no issues regarding the transfer fee. The player’s side is ready to sign with Galatasaray, with the final decision resting with Coach Okan.

Thanks God!!!

 

[It'sBlue93:20]

Surely Nico isn’t going already. If so questions have to be asked. Perhaps if Pep really doesn’t think he’s good enough - then now is the time to sell given his value will be at its highest. But I’d be very disappointed to see him go. I’d expect a big addition to replace him. Baleba and Wharton to replace - Gonzalez, Kovacic and Gundogan for example.

 

[skybluepower]

Could we make enough by selling McAtee, Grealish, Gündoğan, Akanji, Stones, Kovačić, and Phillips to afford two homegrown players like MGW and Livramento? That would be a brilliant bit of business – we'd bring in two useful HG players and offload seven wages from players we’re hardly getting any use from. Plus, the final net spend wouldn’t look too bad either.

 

[come-on-barney]

Damien10 saying not a target.

Shopping B list or possibly C

 

[Gorbachev]

Could we make enough by selling McAtee, Grealish, Gündoğan, Akanji, Stones, Kovačić, and Phillips to afford two homegrown players like MGW and Livramento? That would be a brilliant bit of business – we'd bring in two useful HG players and offload seven wages from players we’re hardly getting any use from. Plus, the final net spend wouldn’t look too bad either.

Doubt it mate.

MGW and Livramento, you won't get much change from £150m

I think £25m Mcatee, Grealish will be a loan because his wages are ridiculous, Gundogan in my opinion will be a gratuitous sell, one where we waiver a transfer fee I reckon. Stones is needed for HG and again wages are ridiculous, Phillips is a write-off and will be loaned until his contract is up, Kova £20m maybe, Akanji same.

 

[come-on-barney]

So he played the CWC so we could show Galatasary he’s still got it?

Madness if so

 

[simon23]

I think we saw in the last game that Reijnders is absolutely NOT a 6.
I don't think we have seen enough of Gonzalez nor Lewis in that position to be definitive as yet.
It looks like Gundo is moving on, at least according to social media, so that will mean one 6 gone and another not suitable.
When the dust has settled, we can all make more informed decisions.
As things stand, I think that Rico is both good enough, and homegrown, that he is worthy of his squad position. His further development will determine if that translates into regular first-team action.

No reignders is an 8 who can play deeper/drop deep, picj the ball up and drive forward with it.

Gonzales limited appearance time has shown he is better in the defensive actions that Lewis...thats what we need. Rodri we know obviously.
Rico is in the squad it appears because he is homegrown....We have seen plenty of Lewis as in midfield to know that we need better
I agree Gundo should be moved on but if he is we need someone else to replace him..

 

[skybluepower]

Doubt it mate.

MGW and Livramento, you won't get much change from £150m

I think £25m Mcatee, Grealish will be a loan because his wages are ridiculous, Gundogan in my opinion will be a gratuitous sell, one where we waiver a transfer fee I reckon. Stones is needed for HG and again wages are ridiculous, Phillips is a write-off and will be loaned until his contract is up, Kova £20m maybe, Akanji same.

Oh man, it’s unbelievable how we’ve dug ourselves into a hole with poor decisions and bad contracts. What are our possible solutions – how can we offload a bunch of players, get rid of their massive wages, but still somehow end up with those bloody 8 homegrown players?"

 

[oldius]

No reignders is an 8 who can play deeper/drop deep, picj the ball up and drive forward with it.

Gonzales limited appearance time has shown he is better in the defensive actions that Lewis...thats what we need. Rodri we know obviously.
Rico is in the squad it appears because he is homegrown....We have seen plenty of Lewis as in midfield to know that we need better
I agree Gundo should be moved on but if he is we need someone else to replace him..

I don't believe we need better. I believe we need to allow him to develop and flourish, competing with others for game time.
We won't agree on this one, but we have found some commonality in the discussion.
Best wishes.

 

[Gorbachev]

Oh man, it’s unbelievable how we’ve dug ourselves into a hole with poor decisions and bad contracts. What are our possible solutions – how can we offload a bunch of players, get rid of their massive wages, but still somehow end up with those bloody 8 homegrown players?"

If Stones wasn't so injury prone he would be playing over Dias for me. Him, Akanji and Ake only have 1 year left and I think we will call it a day with all 3 of them next summer.

Grealish's wages are just ridiculous. £300K a week. Honestly think we will be looking at loans until the end of his contract. United have got the same problem with Rashford and Sancho.

This rebuild was always going to be a couple of years. No chance was it going to get done in a January and summer window. We gave ourselves too much work to do.

I still think we will be there or thereabouts in all competitions, but we won't be convincing in every game.

I think next season we will have a few games where we look out of this world and we will also have some games where we look like we did last October-December.

Next season won't be boring.

 

[Mad 4 It]

If Stones wasn't so injury prone he would be playing over Dias for me. Him, Akanji and Ake only have 1 year left and I think we will call it a day with all 3 of them next summer.

Grealish's wages are just ridiculous. £300K a week. Honestly think we will be looking at loans until the end of his contract. United have got the same problem with Rashford and Sancho.

This rebuild was always going to be a couple of years. No chance was it going to get done in a January and summer window. We gave ourselves too much work to do.

I still think we will be there or thereabouts in all competitions, but we won't be convincing in every game.

I think next season we will have a few games where we look out of this world and we will also have some games where we look like we did last October-December.

Next season won't be boring.

Stones Ake and Akanji should all go this window

 

[Skrastins]

So if Nico and Gundo leaves then are we expecting one more midfield signing?

Rudolph is a 8 and that would be stupid to play him there
Post-ACL Rodri wont be playing all the games and i think there will be a long time before he regains his form
I doubt Kovacic will be playing long term

 

[FromPollockToSilva]

It would be strange, and probably slightly embarrassing momentarily for those involved, but if we were able to get our money back from a Saudi club for Nico and then sign Wharton, I wouldn't be mad

 

[oldius]

So if Nico and Gundo leaves then are we expecting one more midfield signing?

Rudolph is a 8 and that would be stupid to play him there
Post-ACL Rodri wont be playing all the games and i think there will be a long time before he regains his form
I doubt Kovacic will be playing long term

There is so much potential movement that we just need to sit back and enjoy the ride.