John Stones

[TRUE BLUE NO1]

Whether we sign Stones or not, it seems clear to me that Pep is concerned about the CB position. Laporte and Stones have been our main targets since the transfer window opened. This wouldnt be the case if we were comfortable with what we have...The lack of signing a CB is not because we dont think its a big need....clearly with Laporte, Stones and Bonucci on our shopping list over the last few months, we VERY concerned. We just havent been able to close any of those deals (yet!) Pep alone doesnt guarantee winning the Prem. I think upgrading our back 4 could be the difference between 1st or 2nd in the prem at the end of the season....as yet, we've done nothing to improve a back 4 that let in more goals than at anytime in the last 5years....

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

I really want him and understand the reasoning from Pep.

I agree with our present stance, however, his value certainly hasn't shot up £10m over the last 12 months based on his overall showings, TV inflation or not.

The deal with Liverpool and Sterling last season made a rod for our own backs, it was an open secret he only wanted us and and he was a priority target - and it's the same with Stones.

The consensus from clubs is they can tough it out and we will eventually cave.

There will come a stage (not now) when if Everton continue to assert their prerogative that Stones is worth £50m, then I would prefer us to spend £50m on two quality additions in the left-back area and another central midfielder, sticking with what we have in the central defensive ranks and possibly promoting Tosin.

It would walk back a lot of the perceptions we created last season with Raheem and KDB and send a real message.

Stones is a really great talent, but you do have to draw a line in the sand.

As it is, I think we'll fudge the narrative and get it done for around £45m plus add-ons.

 

[TRUE BLUE NO1]

I really want him and understand the reasoning from Pep.

I agree with our present stance, however, his value certainly hasn't shot up £10m over the last 12 months based on his overall showings, TV inflation or not.

The deal with Liverpool and Sterling last season made a rod for our own backs, it was an open secret he only wanted us and and he was a priority target - and it's the same with Stones.

The consensus from clubs is they can tough it out and we will eventually cave.

There will come a stage (not now) when if Everton continue to assert their prerogative that Stones is worth £50m, then I would prefer us to spend £50m on two quality additions in the left-back area and another central midfielder, sticking with what we have in the central defensive ranks and possibly promoting Tosin.

It would walk back a lot of the perceptions we created last season with Raheem and KDB and send a real message.

Stones is a really great talent, but you do have to draw a line in the sand.

As it is, I think we'll fudge the narrative and get it done for around £45m plus add-ons.

You surprised we havent done more to improve the back 4 so far this transfer window? CB's/fullbacks proving harder to sign? cheers

 

[Gorton_Tubster]

I dont think we need Stones, and I dont think we should buy him. He isnt good enough and we need to learn from the Sterling thing.

Also, we are doing some quite tidy mid season buying, Utd are going for broke it seems with how much they are spending, let them do it instead of City. We dont need to, we have a great squad I believe, and noow we have Pep

 

[Easy]

I really want him and understand the reasoning from Pep.

I agree with our present stance, however, his value certainly hasn't shot up £10m over the last 12 months based on his overall showings, TV inflation or not.

The deal with Liverpool and Sterling last season made a rod for our own backs, it was an open secret he only wanted us and and he was a priority target - and it's the same with Stones.

The consensus from clubs is they can tough it out and we will eventually cave.

There will come a stage (not now) when if Everton continue to assert their prerogative that Stones is worth £50m, then I would prefer us to spend £50m on two quality additions in the left-back area and another central midfielder, sticking with what we have in the central defensive ranks and possibly promoting Tosin.

It would walk back a lot of the perceptions we created last season with Raheem and KDB and send a real message.

Stones is a really great talent, but you do have to draw a line in the sand.

As it is, I think we'll fudge the narrative and get it done for around £45m plus add-ons.

Any news on Bonucci?

Are we still in for him? I would honestly prefer him over Stones. Would walk into our starting line-up. World class defender and ideal Pep player. We could get maybe 4 high quality seasons from him and IMO would be worth whatever we pay plus youngsters such as Denayer and Tosin could grow tremendously with his help.

 

[TRUE BLUE NO1]

Any news on Bonucci?

Are we still in for him? I would honestly prefer him over Stones. Would walk into our starting line-up. World class defender and ideal Pep player. We could get maybe 4 high quality seasons from him and IMO would be worth whatever we pay plus youngsters such as Denayer and Tosin could grow tremendously with his help.

Thats reports were that he not for sale and back in training with Juve today...

JuventusFCVerified account ‏@juventusfcen 1m1 minute ago
Benvenuto, @bonucci_leo19!! BBC: reassembled

#FinoAllaFine #ForzaJuve

9 retweets18 likes

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

we'll sign him. The benefit of not being ripped off will come in future seasons when we've fixed this squad and only have to add 1 or 2 players because we want to.

If we don't sign him and walk away, he'll be a Chelsea or Rags player by the end of the window and we'll regret it for a decade.

It'll be done.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

You surprised we havent done more to improve the back 4 so far this transfer window? CB's/fullbacks proving harder to sign? cheers

We don't have the wiggle room in the squad as it stands.

Older players aren't about to walk away in the sunset of their careers, away from big wages they won't get elsewhere, nor one of the biggest clubs in the world who challenge for the top trophies every season and compete in the Champions League.

It's a very long way down these days from City.

A lot of our older squad members are comfortable with their lot, their children are maybe at settled schools, like life in England, etc.

It's that comfortable virus which has infected both the club and the team in last two seasons.

It was the nature of how we conceded, last season (West Ham/Southampton away *shudders), rather than how often - think only five goals less than an ultra cautious United team, who had one of the best along with Spurs?

Perhaps Pep thinks if you don't play like pussies and concede four against Spurs, Liverpool and Southampton, then the swing back towards a serious title challenge is not as difficult as some would have you think - even with some of our Keystone Cops defenders under Pellegrini.

I don't like looking back, but Pellegrini's lack of tactical preparation was just truly horrible.

 

[City_Sean]

Not sure Tosin is ready, and what worries me is he lacks the actual footballing ability. Denayer and Mangala aren't good enough, so not signing Stones would be a huge disappointment for me.

 

[TRUE BLUE NO1]

Not sure Tosin is ready, and what worries me is he lacks the actual footballing ability. Denayer and Mangala aren't good enough, so not signing Stones would be a huge disappointment for me.

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