Javi Martinez

[kaz7]

So does this have foundation? Is it real or still some gobshite koppite rumour?

The last one

 

[Cityisland]

I don't see him coming in as a DM.

More like a CB.

I think Gundogan will be the pivot next season.

Doesn't matter what he comes "as". If he can play both positions then pep will utilize as he sees appropriate.

 

[lancs blue]

So does this have foundation? Is it real or still some gobshite koppite rumour?

It seems from the It's quiet thread that our Ant is a bit of a fantasist, so he'd fit in well on the transfer forum. ;-)

 

[Larry Stranger]

Anyway fed up of these signings. Theyre either too old or too slow. Couldn't give 2 fucks that they're technically brilliant and understand the way our manager wants to play. Dates of birth and being able to run fast are what wins trophies.

This is the problem when you play for both the PL and CL. In the PL you may need players with pace, but all quality teams in the CL have technically brilliant players. Bayern have Hummels, Barca has Busquets who are both slow. The is one of the reasons PL teams have problems in the CL. They can't compete on the technical level. Sure you could go with players with speed, but you'll end up playing like Mourinho teams. You'll be defending and only trying to counter attack. Players like Alves will help us compete in the CL because he understands how the manager wants us to play.

 

[US_Citizen]

CIES football rated him as the best defender of 2016-17, whatever that means. I am curious to see if pep will buy or make someone into a cb/dm combo.

 

[Trautmann's Chiropractor]

I think this is a good move on our part as long as the fee isn't astronomical and he avoids injury. It let's us have more attacking minded players on the bench if our centre half can fit in seamlessly in midfield too. Could have something like this as a match day squad next season:

Starting 11
Ederson
Walker
Stones
Kompany
Mendy
Toure
De Bruyne
D. Silva
Sterling
Aguero
Sanchez

Bench
Bravo
Martinez
Bertrand
Gundogan
B. Silva
Sane
Jesus

That would leave Fernandinho, Kolarov and Alves out of this squad. But with all the games we play and the injuries we pick up, those three will still play their part.

 

[BringBackSwales]

This is the problem when you play for both the PL and CL. In the PL you may need players with pace, but all quality teams in the CL have technically brilliant players. Bayern have Hummels, Barca has Busquets who are both slow. The is one of the reasons PL teams have problems in the CL. They can't compete on the technical level. Sure you could go with players with speed, but you'll end up playing like Mourinho teams. You'll be defending and only trying to counter attack. Players like Alves will help us compete in the CL because he understands how the manager wants us to play.

I am hoping that worlds best coach can get all of his players understand how he wants us to play

 

[TotalFootballOne]

I think this is a good move on our part as long as the fee isn't astronomical and he avoids injury. It let's us have more attacking minded players on the bench if our centre half can fit in seamlessly in midfield too. Could have something like this as a match day squad next season:

Starting 11
Ederson
Walker
Stones
Kompany
Mendy
Toure
De Bruyne
D. Silva
Sterling
Aguero
Sanchez

Bench
Bravo
Martinez
Bertrand
Gundogan
B. Silva
Sane
Jesus

That would leave Fernandinho, Kolarov and Alves out of this squad. But with all the games we play and the injuries we pick up, those three will still play their part.

Niether Gundo or Sane are going to be bench players if available they'll be starting.

 

[Akiva]

I rate him highly, his versatility in both CB and DM, positions both we would be taking massive gambles in this coming season, and his technical ability are boons. His price will be low, but his acclimatisation period to Pep's game borderline minimal.

The same flappers who were worried we'd get Carvalho are in making the same arguments about speed, but there's no comparison between the two. At all.

I say get it done.

 

[Trautmann's Chiropractor]

Niether Gundo or Sane are going to be bench players if available they'll be starting.

There's always one. I'll not derail this thread with my thoughts on 'bench players', but this is a hypothetical starting 11.