Javi Martinez

[Neville Kneville]

If Bayern wanted to keep him then they would have leaked stories to the press. They would have made damn sure that every man and their dog knew that the player was pushing for a move away.

Everything about the way in which this seems to have happened suggests that Bayern were more than willing to sell. Bayern are never willing to sell their best players.

I'm not arguing that he's a bad player. I just don't see him as a player that will make much of a difference next season. His utility is that he can play both CB and CDM. For me he doesn't even start ahead of Kompany or Otamendi.

City would most certainly be a stronger defensive team with him in front of Kompany/Otamendi though.

 

[Homar]

About 6 of those tackles would have him sent off wearing our shirt

For a video that supposedly shows his better moments in games, there were an awful lot of two-footed challenges and at least one clear penalty.

 

[AustinBlue]

For a video that supposedly shows his better moments in games, there were an awful lot of two-footed challenges and at least one clear penalty.

It certainly highlights for me the advantages of getting preferred treatment from the officials. Otamendi would be a total beast if he were allowed that latitude in a tackle.

 

[Homar]

City would most certainly be a stronger defensive team with him in front of Kompany/Otamendi though.

He will be challenging Gundogan, Fernandinho and Yaya for that role. Do you start him ahead on any of those?

I can see him coming on to close games out, much like we saw with Fernando last season.

 

[domalino]

If Bayern wanted to keep him then they would have leaked stories to the press. They would have made damn sure that every man and their dog knew that the player was pushing for a move away.

Everything about the way in which this seems to have happened suggests that Bayern were more than willing to sell. Bayern are never willing to sell their best players.

I'm not arguing that he's a bad player. I just don't see him as a player that will make much of a difference next season. His utility is that he can play both CB and CDM. For me he doesn't even start ahead of Kompany or Otamendi.

Oh, god, this has got to be the worst examples of modern football fandom ever. "He can't be any good because his other team aren't kicking up a fuss about him leaving!!!"

Dani Alves was Juve's first choice RB last year, and was going to be their first choice next year. Losing him has caused them to scramble to try and sign someone - did they kick up a fuss? No.

Bayern & Juve have always operated on an "it's an honour to play for us, if you don't want to, we'll get someone who does" system. If a player wants out they don't keep them.

No to mention the fact that they've had coaching changes, and maybe a player who was absolutely vital under Pep isn't so needed under Ancelotti - that's doesn't make him a worse player.

 

[Homar]

It certainly highlights for me the advantages of getting preferred treatment from the officials. Otamendi would be a total beast if he were allowed that latitude in a tackle.

Very true, and another reason why he'll be in for a shock if/when he arrives here.

 

[City_Sean]

If true, it's an extra foreign slot to those expected in, so who is going?

I'd hope it'd be Kolarov but I'd wager it'll be Otamendi.

 

[Andrew___K]

You seem to think that a press requires a high line. It doesn't. It simply doesn't. They whole point of playing out of the back is to invite the attacking players into your half so you can play it past them and then have acres of space for your attackers to play in (as opposed to a parked bus).

'Playing out of the back ' and 'high line' are a bit different things, don't you think so? The second one refers to the positioning of CBs (and team as a whole) that allows to mantain vertical compactness, which is needed to press immediately after every loss of the ball. It's the basics of Pep's game, he won't change it. You can ask Mou to play nice attacking football with the same outcome.
Random screenshot from BM-AtM game that shows how high the CBs (Boateng and Javi Martinez) are positioned.

 

[Neville Kneville]

He will be challenging Gundogan, Fernandinho and Yaya for that role. Do you start him ahead on any of those?

I can see him coming on to close games out, much like we saw with Fernando last season.

I would say absolutely yes, if you are looking to stiffen up the team. He is far & away better defensively than Gundogan & Yaya. You could in fact play either of those in front of him if either Silva or KDB were playing forward or rested.

With Martinez we could actually put out a 'solid' team. Something we haven't really done for about 5 years.

 

[Danny_Johnson4]

IF this is true, which I doubt, but am hopeful of; the guys moaning about this are pathetic.

I swear after 2 seasons of not competing at all for the title, and having just been swamped out of the CL by monaco and bullied by arsenal in a cup semi, you all still think we are better than we are
Who are we to be looking down our nose at a potential signing of a key member of munichs team, when we still had fernando, navas and clichy coming on and playing big minutes last season
The guy is a class act and if Pep wants him, its because he has worked with him before and knows what he can bring
F**k pace, its a great asset, but the balls moves quicker than any player, pep knows that more than anyone and you know why... cause he was slow too, albeit a top top player.

I read in Pep Confidential that Javi Martinez was the absolute butt of all jokes and stand out struggler in the early stages of Peps training as he was being played out of position and not used to the speed and intensity of Peps methods. He then flourished due to dedication and the quality he possesses. That kind of mentality to turn it around and be a mainstay in what I still believe is the most complete and flexible side in world football is why he would be joining, IF it happens.