It's Quiet Thread 15 - Txiki Blinders

[hgblue]

The most important part is “if Rodri were to get injured”. As I said earlier Gundo as he advances in years, its more likely he’ll play from deeper IMO.

It’s nothing to do with attacking or defensive players being sexy it’s about squad balancing. We’ve invested a club record on a number six. We aren’t running out two windows later and buying another specialist one. Best case scenario for those who think it’s a priority will be us signing another Gundo type who can play deep or advanced.

I remember exactly the same being said when people pointed out how vulnerable we’d be ‘if Laporte got injured’, that didn’t end well. Football is moving on, rest and rotation is now part of being a successful squad, so going into a season with one DM is not an option for me. Someone like Declan Rice has huge potential, could challenge Rodri to keep him on his toes, is strong, quick, could be developed by Pep into a world class player and has the ability to be versatile in his role. Much better signing for me than someone like Grealish who plays in positions where we’re already strong.

 

[BillyShears]

I feel like we’ve always been linked with a DM from the Bundesliga. Remember Julian Weigl years back

It's always important to try and read between the lines. Check players contractual situations, see if the rumours pass the smell test.

The Ings transfer is a good example. That story doesn't pass the smell test. Ings is 28, he's got a terrible injury record, and he's in a contract negotiation with Southampton. He'll want to be their best paid player and he'll want stupid money, whereas they have a strict wage structure. The City stories stink of his agent wanting to spook Southampton into making a daft offer.

 

[The1nvisibleMan]

It's always important to try and read between the lines. Check players contractual situations, see if the rumours pass the smell test.

The Ings transfer is a good example. That story doesn't pass the smell test. Ings is 28, he's got a terrible injury record, and he's in a contract negotiation with Southampton. He'll want to be their best paid player and he'll want stupid money, whereas they have a strict wage structure. The City stories stink of his agent wanting to spook Southampton into making a daft offer.

Yeah but that’s always the fin of transfers for me. Reading all the endless guff coming out is wildly entertaining

 

[domalino]

I feel like we’ve always been linked with a DM from the Bundesliga. Remember Julian Weigl years back

The Bundesliga is a league played in transitions. It's a league very much shaped by Klopp's Dortmund and Heynkes' Bayern.

For us, being good in transitions is 50% of a defensive midfielder's job, so regardless of any individual rumour being legit, it makes sense to shop there, especially if you want a foil for Rodri who is very good in possession and at stopping transitions, but can get caught out by them if they aren't immediately killed.

 

[The1nvisibleMan]

The Bundesliga is a league played in transitions. It's a league very much shaped by Klopp's Dortmund and Heynkes' Bayern.

For us, being good in transitions is 50% of a defensive midfielder's job, so regardless of any individual rumour being legit, it makes sense to shop there, especially if you want a foil for Rodri who is very good in possession and at stopping transitions, but can get caught out by them if they aren't immediately killed.

Yeah 100%. I just think it’s funny how we’ve been shopping there for a DM for years and have yet to actually buy one

 

[BillyShears]

I remember exactly the same being said when people pointed out how vulnerable we’d be ‘if Laporte got injured’, that didn’t end well. Football is moving on, rest and rotation is now part of being a successful squad, so going into a season with one DM is not an option for me. Someone like Declan Rice has huge potential, could challenge Rodri to keep him on his toes, is strong, quick, could be developed by Pep into a world class player and has the ability to be versatile in his role. Much better signing for me than someone like Grealish who plays in positions where we’re already strong.

City aren't dropping a record fee on Rice IMO. Would feel a bit mental and OTT after signing Rodri for a record fee at the age he's at.

Laporte getting injured was terrible bad luck but City went into that season knowing the risks, and the risks were without Laporte there's literally not a fit for purpose centre back in the squad. Otamendi was done and Stones was permanently injured.

That's won't be the case with Fernandinho IMO because either Gundo will be the player and they'll buy an 8, or they'll buy someone like Zakaria who can play 6&8.

 

[Coatigan]

Yeah 100%. I just think it’s funny how we’ve been shopping there for a DM for years and have yet to actually buy one

Apart from Gundo.

 

[The1nvisibleMan]

Apart from Gundo.

Yeah I suppose

 

[Woody135]

City aren't dropping a record fee on Rice IMO. Would feel a bit mental and OTT after signing Rodri for a record fee at the age he's at.

Laporte getting injured was terrible bad luck but City went into that season knowing the risks, and the risks were without Laporte there's literally not a fit for purpose centre back in the squad. Otamendi was done and Stones was permanently injured.

That's won't be the case with Fernandinho IMO because either Gundo will be the player and they'll buy an 8, or they'll buy someone like Zakaria who can play 6&8.

Is aouar an option still? Fits this bill for me. Notable he stayed put at Lyon last season despite being a standout young player in a CL semifinalist

 

[blue oli]

I suspect that Gundo will be used when Rodri is injured in the 6 and we'll end up signing another 8. Grealish probably.

This makes sense and gives pep what he craves, flexibility, Gundo another year older, time to see if the academy produces what we think it will produce for that 6 role as Back up for Rodri and plenty of movement and options in the front line.

There would also be the fall back of pushing stones into the 6 role when desperate, and dare I say it but Zinchenko is more than capable and reads the game well (very underrated in my opinion).

Many many options including not signing anyone in midfield; but my money would be on what you say above - developing a really flexible, interchangeable set of players is peps way.