January transfer/its quiet Thread

[cadds92]

Sanchez and a DM definitely.

The games against Wolves and Feyenoord at home this season have shown that even if one of Sane or Sterling miss out we lack something in that front attacking three.

In regards to a DM, I fear a stretch without Fernandinho could be the single biggest blow to the team. The drop off from him to Yaya was there to be seen against Feyenoord, and it's clear to see for me that Pep doesn't trust Yaya as much as he initially thought he would because Fernandinho is pretty much playing every game. If that carries on he will be at the very least burnt out by February.

The left back situation is a difficult one because Delph has actually shown that he looks perfect as a deputy in that position and whom even offers something different to Mendy.

If we brought in a new left back, by the time Mendy is back what happens to Delph then?

 

[jay laruja]

I'd think that Danilo and Delph could do a job in Dinho's position. The defending is there and both have passable vision for a holding mid. The challenge will be to match Dinho's positional awareness and general intelligence.

 

[cucumberman]

Not really on topic here, but I just want to let out an appreciation on how bless we are with our fullbacks. Mendy and Walker have been several levels above Kolarov/Clichy and Zabaleta/Sagna. As much as how I love Zaba, the blistering pace and physicality that Walker has brought to the team puts fear on other teams. Shame that Mendy has picked up an injury because he seemed equally scary on the left with his unpredictable crosses. Delph has done a good job so far and reminds me of prime Clichy, but Mendy and Walker are something else.

Danilo looks like someone who can get better under Pep as well. He already has the pace and the technique, just lacking the finesse to execute intricate play which Pep may get him to improve on.

In the next summer transfer window I would go for a DM to succeed Fernandinho next season and an AM/striker either an established player like Sanchez or outside chance Messi. Goretzka is also a good squad addition for this January window. Players that I can see us getting would be Fabinho, van Dijk and Lindelof.

 

[foggy1974]

Think we need at least 3 players in January
cover for left back as Mendy is already out until about Feb, which means us relying on Delph, who has been brilliant this season and I hope he is finally over his injury problems, but if He gets injured we are then trying to put square pegs into round holes, especially with Stones out for six weeks.
cover for Fernandinho as he is the only true defensive midfielder we have.
and cover for Jesus and Aguero.
Next summers transfer is going to be absolutely key. Yaya will be gone, Vinny, Merlin ,Sergio and Ferny another year close to when they retire from Gods own. This is when we will have to start thinking about replacing them. We have supposedly according to the media spent 200 million on full backs yet have still made a million in profit.
I believe that we will have to spend something similar next summer, but hopefully Pep will have Foden, Diaz and Tosin on the bench with a genuine intention to use them.
The core of our squad is under the age of 25 and intergrating them 3 could save us about £100 million in the transfer market and like Pep did at Barca we would need to sign maybe 1 or 2 superstars a season.

 

[aguerooo93]

I don't want us to sign anyone in January as the squad's harmony is the best it's been for a long time. Bringing in Sanchez could unsettle Sterling, Bernardo Silva (who isn't getting much game time as is) and stunt their development. If we do sign someone, it'll probably be cover at left and/or center back.

Next summer, I think a defensive midfielder will be a priority. While we'll likely renew Fernandinho's contract for another year, Yaya will have left. We've been linked to Julian Weigl who's highly rated (and linked to Barcelona too), but apparently his form this season has been sub-par so could see us going in for Kimmich instead or as well. Hopefully one or two of our players on loan (Roberts, Luiz, Garcia, Maffeo, Angelino, Unal, Moreno) will make the step up to the first team.

 

[NeilYoungIsBack]

I thought we'd sold Unal?

 

[Bruun]

I don't want us to sign anyone in January as the squad's harmony is the best it's been for a long time. Bringing in Sanchez could unsettle Sterling, Bernardo Silva (who isn't getting much game time as is) and stunt their development. If we do sign someone, it'll probably be cover at left and/or center back.

Next summer, I think a defensive midfielder will be a priority. While we'll likely renew Fernandinho's contract for another year, Yaya will have left. We've been linked to Julian Weigl who's highly rated (and linked to Barcelona too), but apparently his form this season has been sub-par so could see us going in for Kimmich instead or as well. Hopefully one or two of our players on loan (Roberts, Luiz, Garcia, Maffeo, Angelino, Unal, Moreno) will make the step up to the first team.

Only Maffeo seems to play at the required level right now.

 

[I'm no cynic but...]

Messi
Goretska, although I'd rather pay the fee and ship Yaya out.

Can't talk to PL players until summer.

We aren't allowed to speak directly to other clubs players but we can talk to their clubs, and even if we didn't then it would be naive to think that agents aren't forever beavering away behind the scenes.

 

[Gabriel]

Apart from the three key positions (left-back, centre defence, central midfield), we need someone who can play out wide (either side) but who has genuine pace. Sanchez, Roberts, and their ilk are all wonderfully skillful, but they lack the real pace that would continually allow us to play more expansively, stretch opponents up and down the pitch, and counter. We might not find someone as quick as Sane, but if we want to play the same way every three days, we'll need to find a player that can give us that bit extra.

 

[VOOMER]

Maffeo is looking closer and closer to being a quality right back. Not sure regarding Angelino. We should still be looking at La Porte, as he is beginning to come back to the level he had before the injury. I think with Silky now fit, we will be able to rotate more with Fernie, but I don't see a good reason to sign another left back, unless Shaw comes up at a knock down price. I think we should still make a move for Sanchez, but we can wait till the summer on that one. If we want to break the bank Verrati, or Casemiro.

 

[I'm no cynic but...]

Apart from the three key positions (left-back, centre defence, central midfield), we need someone who can play out wide (either side) but who has genuine pace. Sanchez, Roberts, and their ilk are all wonderfully skillful, but they lack the real pace that would continually allow us to play more expansively, stretch opponents up and down the pitch, and counter. We might not find someone as quick as Sane, but if we want to play the same way every three days, we'll need to find a player that can give us that bit extra.

I don't think pace is an issue. I don't really like to think that stats reveal all, but going back over the season's record so far, they reveal some startling details. Our possession stats are regularly around 75% of games, our passing record drowns out virtually all opponents and the same is revealed by our goal attempts. Where our stats show failings, it is in the number of shots which fail to be on target or are blocked. Although we usually outnumber opponents with shots, the margin is usually somewhat closer than all other aspects. Maybe there should be more shooting in training and it's problem solved!

 

[Gabriel]

I don't think pace is an issue. I don't really like to think that stats reveal all, but going back over the season's record so far, they reveal some startling details. Our possession stats are regularly around 75% of games, our passing record drowns out virtually all opponents and the same is revealed by our goal attempts. Where our stats show failings, it is in the number of shots which fail to be on target or are blocked. Although we usually outnumber opponents with shots, the margin is usually somewhat closer than all other aspects. Maybe there should be more shooting in training and it's problem solved!

Interesting points. Perhaps the reason we fail to hit the target more often or have chances blocked is because of the pace we play at. We've looked particularly sluggish in two games when Sane has not played (Wolves and Feyenoord) and in games where the opponent has dug in quite well. Might be different when Mendy returns and the backs can push up wide, but I wouldn't be surprised to see us go for another wide player.

 

[Moe66]

In January. A CB and LB please!

Otamendi/Stones are starters. Kompany backup with Mangala but Mangala is imo not good enough, especially for a long stretch of games.

We've been linked with:
Inigo Martinez: Real Sociedad.
Johnny Evans: West Brom
Mouctar Diakhaby (Lyon)

LB;
Aaron Martin ( Espanyol).

As much as I wouldn't want an ex Man Utd player, Evans is still a solid player with loads of experience but will be overpriced. Haven't watch much of Martinez but Soceidad have been doing well in la liga and Diakhaby is 20 years old. Idk who would come but Pep seems like his going to want Inigo Martinez and Aaron Martin.

 

[salfordbluetrue]

In January. A CB and LB please!

Otamendi/Stones are starters. Kompany backup with Mangala but Mangala is imo not good enough, especially for a long stretch of games.

We've been linked with:
Inigo Martinez: Real Sociedad.
Johnny Evans: West Brom
Mouctar Diakhaby (Lyon)

LB;
Aaron Martin ( Espanyol).

As much as I wouldn't want an ex Man Utd player, Evans is still a solid player with loads of experience but will be overpriced. Haven't watch much of Martinez but Soceidad have been doing well in la liga and Diakhaby is 20 years old. Idk who would come but Pep seems like his going to want Inigo Martinez and Aaron Martin.

there is nothing wrong with Mangala but he probably wants to leave Martinez is too small and being linked to us as he is playing in spain Evans is error prone has been all his career Diakhaby is inexperienced and takes a week to get up to speed but it is his reaction speed that is a worry needs looking at but Lyon want a swap, for me it is VVD for the best fit and Mings if we want english young left footed fast ex wing back who knows left of a back 3 and good at bringing the ball out
lB i would go for a loan the lad from Celtic they will be out of europe cruising the league with a decent back up and will want some of our youth

 

[Manchester_lalala]

there is nothing wrong with Mangala but he probably wants to leave Martinez is too small and being linked to us as he is playing in spain Evans is error prone has been all his career Diakhaby is inexperienced and takes a week to get up to speed but it is his reaction speed that is a worry needs looking at but Lyon want a swap, for me it is VVD for the best fit and Mings if we want english young left footed fast ex wing back who knows left of a back 3 and good at bringing the ball out
lB i would go for a loan the lad from Celtic they will be out of europe cruising the league with a decent back up and will want some of our youth

There’s quite a few things wrong with mangala.

 

[cadds92]

I think we will try again with Sanchez and if unfortunate we will look at a 6 month loan deal for someone like Draxler I reckon.

A left back will be a cert now I feel. Delph looked a little dodgy yesterday and can't be risked into playing all the time doing 3 games a week.

In regards to a CB, I think we will just wait until the summer.

A lot will relying upon Kompany's fitness I feel. If he stays fit until John is back we won't move, but if not we will look to move.

I don't think Mangala has anything to do with it as I am unconvinced Pep rates him and will only play in him if he absolutely has to.

I think if Pep can see Vinny remaining fit, he can get through the season primarily with Vinny, Stones and Otamendi.

There won't be that many great CB's available in January anyway and we would likely be buying someone clearly below the level we should be looking at.

 

[salfordbluetrue]

There’s quite a few things wrong with mangala.

i really do not see the need to pull down the player with the highest clean sheet % at city Pep almost certainly does not want him but that does not make him a bad player , most of europe is looking at him with the aim of getting him on the cheap giving him a year or two of regular football before selling him on for a fortune, and in my opinion they have a very good chance of doing it , and when he leaves i hope he has good memories of city as we have butchered his career

 

[Moe66]

i really do not see the need to pull down the player with the highest clean sheet % at city Pep almost certainly does not want him but that does not make him a bad player , most of europe is looking at him with the aim of getting him on the cheap giving him a year or two of regular football before selling him on for a fortune, and in my opinion they have a very good chance of doing it , and when he leaves i hope he has good memories of city as we have butchered his career

Don't get me wrong, I like Mangala's commitment to City. He wants to stay and help us win the title but I don't see Pep wanting to keep him. I think the problem if you watch him closely is his ability on the ball. In la liga last season he actually looked good but the tempo in the la liga is nowhere near the PL and Mangala at times won't have time on the ball and that is where he struggles. He looks shaky and tends to struggle to find his next pass under pressure. With Pep, the center backs need to be able to play under that pressure on a consistent level considering we like to play from the back. It took Otamendi and Stones a season of mistakes to get comfortable with Pep's style, Mangala was sent on loan and the team wanted to sell him to Palace on the last day of the transfer window. Which goes to show how little of faith Pep has in him.

 

[cleavers]

Mangala was sent on loan and the team wanted to sell him to Palace on the last day of the transfer window.

They also wanted to sell Delph to Stoke, and look how that has turned out. Mangala won't be sold until the summer at the earliest, and he will be needed, perhaps like Stones and Otamendi he too will cut out the mistakes ?

 

[Sleeping_Easy]

In -> Out
Lucas -> Mangala
Weigl -> Yaya

Sanchez on a free

Possibly a LB as well but would feel harsh on Delph as he's been brilliant and can more than do a job as back up