January transfer window

[LoveCity]

If we don't address our midfield in January, I really think it could jeopardise our title hopes. There is no way Yaya/Fernandinho can play every game until the end of the season - also, Fernandinho has been playing in the Ukraine for years and his legs may start to suffer towards the end of the season, because he is playing with great intensity in every game.

Garcia is just mediocre. I think Rodwell has potential, but what's to stop his hamstring going again tomorrow? And Milner isn't a high quality central midfielder I think, that's why Mancini, Pellegrini, Hodgson and Capello have opted not to play him there much. He can fill in but he isn't great in that position even if he did play well for Villa there (lower expectations).

I wonder if the 75% of Barry's wages Everton are paying has made such a big difference off our wage bill that it was worth loaning him out. Barry had his limitations, but as a backup midfielder would have been a great option for us still.

 

[Marvin]

If we don't address our midfield in January, I really think it could jeopardise our title hopes. There is no way Yaya/Fernandinho can play every game until the end of the season - also, Fernandinho has been playing in the Ukraine for years and his legs may start to suffer towards the end of the season, because he is playing with great intensity in every game.

Garcia is just mediocre. I think Rodwell has potential, but what's to stop his hamstring going again tomorrow? And Milner isn't a high quality central midfielder I think, that's why Mancini, Pellegrini, Hodgson and Capello have opted not to play him there much. He can fill in but he isn't great in that position even if he did play well for Villa there (lower expectations).

I wonder if the 75% of Barry's wages Everton are paying has made such a big difference off our wage bill that it was worth loaning him out. Barry had his limitations, but as a backup midfielder would have been a great option for us still.

Milner is good enough to play there whatever England managers have clearly thought. Would a defensive midfielder join City knowing that they will be on our bench?

If City are looking at the Jan window, I think it will be for defensive cover at central defence and left back if Clichy is injured<br /><br />-- Thu Dec 05, 2013 7:00 pm --<br /><br />Will Utd be active in Janaury, and if so who will they buy, and in what position?

Creative midfielder is what their fans have been whining about for 2-3 seasons, but they are also exposed up front if RVP is injured. Welbeck can't score, and Hernandez can't hold it up.

What about Benteke? I suspect when he extended his contract in the Summer he did so on the proviso that if Spurs etc came in for him, he could go?

 

[LoveCity]

Milner is good enough to play there whatever England managers have clearly thought.

Well, firstly, it's not just England managers is it? Neither Pellegrini or Mancini has opted to play him in the middle much. We've seen it a few times, but the fact both have seemed to favour Garcia in the midfield over Milner says a lot about how they rate Milner in the role I'd think.

He can fill in there because he's a Jack of all trades, master of none, but he is not as good a player in the position as people seem to think. Barry and De Jong were both better central midfielders, that's why they played there instead of him - and neither of them were apparently viewed as so vital that we made a great effort to keep them.

Would a defensive midfielder join City knowing that they will be on our bench?

Every club in the world has players on the bench, so why not? Especially as, if we did sign a new midfielder, he'd probably get loads of games as Pellegrini would no longer be terrified of resting either Yaya or Fernandinho like he is now.

Juventus have a midfield of Pirlo, Vidal, Pogba and Marchisio to choose from - three high quality midfield specialists and one of the best young players in the world.

Real Madrid have Alonso, Khedira (though currently injured), Illarramendi and Modric, with Pepe also comfortable there.

Bayern Munich have Schweinsteiger, Martinez, Kroos and Thiago, with Lahm also comfortable there.

We shouldn't compare ourselves to other Premier League clubs, several of whom also lack central midfield depth (although I'd say Arsenal now have greater strength in depth with Ramsey, Wilshere, Arteta and Flamini to choose from - I'd rather have Arteta and Flamini in reserve than Rodwell and Garcia right now), but the best clubs in the world.

If Yaya or Fernandinho break their leg tomorrow, we'll suffer badly - we've seen it already when either have missed games. Against Sunderland we were back to being slow and turgid in midfield with Garcia replacing Fernandinho. That one absence seemed to strip our central midfield of the quality it usually has. Now, maybe Rodwell can step up and fill the void of quality, but it's a risk considering his injury record.

 

[FantasyIreland]

A midfielder is essential business otherwise its a certainty we will struggle to achieve our aims.
A centre half is also needed although we can probably limp our way to the summer provided we have no more lengthy injuries to our first choices.

I'd love Sandro or even Cabaye but Lassana Diarra is also an interesting proposition.

 

[BlueDejong]

If we don't address our midfield in January, I really think it could jeopardise our title hopes. There is no way Yaya/Fernandinho can play every game until the end of the season - also, Fernandinho has been playing in the Ukraine for years and his legs may start to suffer towards the end of the season, because he is playing with great intensity in every game.

Garcia is just mediocre. I think Rodwell has potential, but what's to stop his hamstring going again tomorrow? And Milner isn't a high quality central midfielder I think, that's why Mancini, Pellegrini, Hodgson and Capello have opted not to play him there much. He can fill in but he isn't great in that position even if he did play well for Villa there (lower expectations).

I wonder if the 75% of Barry's wages Everton are paying has made such a big difference off our wage bill that it was worth loaning him out. Barry had his limitations, but as a backup midfielder would have been a great option for us still.

But who sign ?
Mautidi -0%, Pogba -0%, Barkley -0%, and who ?
Matic ? Imbula ? Rakitic? Koke ? Herrera ? who...? I can't found it.

 

[LoveCity]

If we don't address our midfield in January, I really think it could jeopardise our title hopes. There is no way Yaya/Fernandinho can play every game until the end of the season - also, Fernandinho has been playing in the Ukraine for years and his legs may start to suffer towards the end of the season, because he is playing with great intensity in every game.

Garcia is just mediocre. I think Rodwell has potential, but what's to stop his hamstring going again tomorrow? And Milner isn't a high quality central midfielder I think, that's why Mancini, Pellegrini, Hodgson and Capello have opted not to play him there much. He can fill in but he isn't great in that position even if he did play well for Villa there (lower expectations).

I wonder if the 75% of Barry's wages Everton are paying has made such a big difference off our wage bill that it was worth loaning him out. Barry had his limitations, but as a backup midfielder would have been a great option for us still.

But who sign ?
Mautidi -0%, Pogba -0%, Barkley -0%, and who ?
Matic ? Imbula ? Rakitic? Koke ? Herrera ? who...? I can't found it.

There's loads of midfielders out there who would be a step up on Garcia.

You just named some of them, several of those in your second list would be available (especially Matic and Imbula, probably not Koke, Herrera would be but is overpriced).

Also, Matuidi STILL hasn't signed a new PSG deal so until he does the chances are well above 0% and City definitely are monitoring him.

It doesn't even have to be a world class player, but just someone who can step in without the quality dropping too severely. i.e. Fernando from Porto, Nainggolan from Cagliari, Inler from Napoli, Cabaye from Newcastle, Schneiderlin from Southampton.

I mean look at Flamini, he was a free agent, and has been good for Arsenal, because he suits the league quite well. If a scout does his job properly, which Gregucci and Salsano didn't with Garcia, they can find the right man even if it's not the most high profile player in the world.

A shame we couldn't have gone for Strootman in the summer, he is tearing it up for Roma.

Garcia is so unbelievably ill-suited for this league (he'd probably be decent in Serie A) that it wouldn't be hard finding an upgrade. It's like when Veron was over here, except Veron, who also couldn't hack it here, was 5x the player Garcia is.

 

[BlueDejong]

If we don't address our midfield in January, I really think it could jeopardise our title hopes. There is no way Yaya/Fernandinho can play every game until the end of the season - also, Fernandinho has been playing in the Ukraine for years and his legs may start to suffer towards the end of the season, because he is playing with great intensity in every game.

Garcia is just mediocre. I think Rodwell has potential, but what's to stop his hamstring going again tomorrow? And Milner isn't a high quality central midfielder I think, that's why Mancini, Pellegrini, Hodgson and Capello have opted not to play him there much. He can fill in but he isn't great in that position even if he did play well for Villa there (lower expectations).

I wonder if the 75% of Barry's wages Everton are paying has made such a big difference off our wage bill that it was worth loaning him out. Barry had his limitations, but as a backup midfielder would have been a great option for us still.

But who sign ?
Mautidi -0%, Pogba -0%, Barkley -0%, and who ?
Matic ? Imbula ? Rakitic? Koke ? Herrera ? who...? I can't found it.

There's loads of midfielders out there who would be a step up on Garcia.

You just named some of them, several of those in your second list would be available (especially Matic and Imbula, probably not Koke, Herrera would be but is overpriced).

Also, Matuidi STILL hasn't signed a new PSG deal so until he does the chances are well above 0% and City definitely are monitoring him.

It doesn't even have to be a world class player, but just someone who can step in without the quality dropping too severely. i.e. Fernando from Porto, Nainggolan from Cagliari, Inler from Napoli, Cabaye from Newcastle, Schneiderlin from Southampton.

I mean look at Flamini, he was a free agent, and has been good for Arsenal, because he suits the league quite well. If a scout does his job properly, which Gregucci and Salsano didn't with Garcia, they can find the right man even if it's not the most high profile player in the world.

A shame we couldn't have gone for Strootman in the summer, he is tearing it up for Roma.

Garcia is so unbelievably ill-suited for this league (he'd probably be decent in Serie A) that it wouldn't be hard finding an upgrade. It's like when Veron was over here, except Veron, who also couldn't hack it here, was 5x the player Garcia is.

I agree with you. If Matic price is 20m, we should sign him. He will be good harmony with Yaya & Ferna.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Anyone rate Shelvey? I think he has similar ability to Rodwell,maybe that bit more forward thinking and tenacious......and without the injuries.

I really think he's blossoming under Laudrup,and at 21,plenty of improvement time.

 

[blue ranger]

Personally think Cabaye would be a great addition. Good all round game, knows the league too. No brainer for me.

 

[BlueDejong]

Anyone rate Shelvey? I think he has similar ability to Rodwell,maybe that bit more forward thinking and tenacious......and without the injuries.

I really think he's blossoming under Laudrup,and at 21,plenty of improvement time.

Oh...no....