John Stones

[yankblue]

Mangala looks like a beast when he's up against a traditional big bruising centre forward. Put a tricky little player against him and he gets turned all ends up. He also looks like a frightened rabbit whenever the ball is at his feet. He has a tendency to lose concentration too and most of the time it ends up with him losing or giving away possession.

Otamendi looks great when he's sliding in, but the only reason he slides in is because he gets caught out of position so many times. He's also incapable of staying on his feet, he dives into every single tackle and always ends up on his arse. I realise it looks spectacular when he wins the tackle, but when he doesn't he either gives away a pen or a dangerous free kick or is left sat on the floor looking like a stupid **** whilst the attacker disappears towards our goal for a one on one with Joe. I'd rather keep Mangala than him.

Did I write off Boateng? As a City player you're damn right I did. He didn't like the country, he didn't like the city, he didn't like the culture and he didn't like the club. He wanted away as soon as he signed and was an utter fucking shithouse whilst he was here. Pulled out of more tackles than Russell Brand has pulled out of women. He was an abject failure in a City shirt and it was because he wanted to leave from almost the moment he arrived. Anyone who thinks Boateng could have come good at City at that time is a fucking imbecile.

I'd agree on pretty much all of this. I think Mangala can adapt to the smaller, trickier forwards over time because he's got the pace. He is god awful with the ball at his feet which may make him unplayable in Pep's system.

Otamendi does need to be more selective with diving in and he does scare me half to death sometimes. However, I think this is something he can learn as he continues to adapt to the league. That was something that plagued both Kompany and Zabaleta earlier in their careers here.

Agree on Boateng, the only other thing I would add is he couldn't get healthy here either. That could've been down to his head not being in the right place though. Still made a profit on him if I remember correctly :)

 

[Damien10]

I haven't watched too much of him and when I have he's been taking too many risks or making mistakes. If Pep wants him he obviously rates him so I'd be more than happy with him signing.

We have both the same opinion on Stones based and games we have watched. How do we know Pep doesn't rate Mangala or Ota. I honestly believe Pep will want to work with them before making any final decision.

 

[TRUE BLUE NO1]

We have both the same opinion on Stones based and games we have watched. How do we know Pep doesn't rate Mangala or Ota. I honestly believe Pep will want to work with them before making any final decision.

It's been mentioned on here that Pep might have had an input on Sterling and Kev signing for us....maybe Ota was also a Pep signing? If that is the case it would make sense that Mangala could be the first out the door...As we already tried to loan him out last season, I'm thinking Mangala might not have many chances left to impress Pep....

 

[aguero93:20]

It's been mentioned on here that Pep might have had an input on Sterling and Kev signing for us....maybe Ota was also a Pep signing? If that is the case it would make sense that Mangala could be the first out the door...As we already tried to loan him out last season, I'm thinking Mangala might not have many chances left to impress Pep....

Tbh I think Otamendi was a case of us not being able to get our money from Valencia (pre Peter Lim) and agreeing to take Otamendi in place of the Negredo fee to avoid getting them into serious trouble re FFP.

 

[salfordpaul]

It's been mentioned on here that Pep might have had an input on Sterling and Kev signing for us....maybe Ota was also a Pep signing? If that is the case it would make sense that Mangala could be the first out the door...As we already tried to loan him out last season, I'm thinking Mangala might not have many chances left to impress Pep....

Pep and Mancini and pelle don't buy players.......we are in the new world.....tixi etc think about our performance and buy players. The manager has an input but it's derisory , this is the new world....don t blame managers for new signings !!

 

[TRUE BLUE NO1]

Pep and Mancini and pelle don't buy players.......we are in the new world.....tixi etc think about our performance and buy players. The manager has an input but it's derisory , this is the new world....don t blame managers for new signings !!

thanks mate...so the idea of Pep giving Txiki a list of transfers is not the case? (genuine question) .....

 

[Dax777]

I'd rather have Varane than Stones. 40-50m that is talked about for Stones would surely be enough to lure him away from Madrid. And a young solid French CB pairing (with Laporte), that's 7-8 years of central defence sorted. If potential and longevity is something we can't afford now, I'll definitely love to see Leonardo Bonucci, 29 y/o probably has 3-4 years of top quality football left in him. His ball playing is criminally underrated, certainly on par with Pique, Boateng,Hummels etc.
Latter is probably more of a wishful thinking, but if we are seriously interested in another CB (considering Laporte deal is a matter of when and not if) then the first option is what I'd personally like to see happening.

50 million wouldn't be enough to pull Varane. We are not in for him like Madrid is not in for DeBryune. There are some players money can't get. We have some of those, so do other top teams. That's why we are not in for him. Stones OS a capable substitute. That most here can't see how good of a fit he'll be is shocking.

 

[ojeme]

50 million wouldn't be enough to pull Varane. We are not in for him like Madrid is not in for DeBryune. There are some players money can't get. We have some of those, so do other top teams. That's why we are not in for him. Stones OS a capable substitute. That most here can't see how good of a fit he'll be is shocking.

He would be a good fit if he works on being less error prone. This will come naturally as he matures so it's no biggie.the issue for me is we hear less about game changing names (the likes of suarez, Neymar, Dybala, Griezmann and Pogba more recently) and more about 'Pep players' or players suited to his style (whether or not they are likely to be an improvement on what we already have). With the vast sums of money we have to spend this summer we should not joke around. We should push the boat for the top brass players as a matter of priority. I believe Pep knows what he's up against nd equally knows what he needs to succeed so I'm hopeful.

 

[Ashleymcduff]

What a load of rubbish.

I pay my money to go watch the lads and it's my opinion

Kompany was a rock and top 10 CB in the world 3 years ago now to many injuries have taken their toll.

Otemendi has to be one of the worse top flight CB's I've ever seen, for a supposed tough guy he's always rolling round on the floor and get out muscled easily by nearly ever forward he faces, don't get me started on the reckless diving in and ball watching.

Mangala I like but with the ball at his feet he's gash and he's confidence is gone.
We paid 30 odd million for both its embarrassing really.

 

[Robanompivenov]

I pay my money to go watch the lads and it's my opinion

Kompany was a rock and top 10 CB in the world 3 years ago now to many injuries have taken their toll.

Otemendi has to be one of the worse top flight CB's I've ever seen, for a supposed tough guy he's always rolling round on the floor and get out muscled easily by nearly ever forward he faces, don't get me started on the reckless diving in and ball watching.

Mangala I like but with the ball at his feet he's gash and he's confidence is gone.
We paid 30 odd million for both its embarrassing really.

You aren't allowed an opinion which isn't the same as his!