John Stones

[citytill1die84]

Stones and Laporte wow that'll be in the region of 80m.

 

[MeatHunterrr]

Looks like Pep doesn't fancy Mangala

 

[citytill1die84]

Denayer, Sagna at Right Back

Otamendi, Kompany, Stones, Mangala or Laporte CBs

Clichy and another at Left Back

 

[razman]

I must confess I dont get this one. Aside from being English, I dont see how Stones is any better than Mangala. Both have some talent, but look uncertain on the ball and always prone to a fatal fuck-up.

this ! being English is the major factor why we are going with this then....our homegrown quota is a mess....making expensive acquisitions to make up for it FFS

 

[Utter bobbins]

this ! being English is the major factor why we are going with this then....our homegrown quota is a mess....making expensive acquisitions to make up for it FFS

Or the best manager in football sees a talent to work with more so than loons on an Internet forum

 

[FantasyIreland]

Looks like Pep doesn't fancy Mangala

Pains me to admit this.....but,unfortunately,its not difficult to understand why......I really like Eli,his attitude and desire is first class,and I was hoping with all my heart he would turn things around.
However,it's blatantly obvious the lad lacks the basics in terms of technical ability,things that cant be taught........and we simply cant afford to have such a deficient player,one whose mistakes are usually extremely costly,in the heart of our defence.

Pep recognises an opportunity to rectify the problem and,it appears,in Stones and Laporte,he isn't about to pass it by.

 

[Gundogan's Moustache]

If we're going to spend £80M+ on two centre backs surely they'd come in as starters and not just squad players ?

 

[Ajm1985]

Gathering momentum this. Surprised we're going after two centre halves given the other gaps in the squad, but Guardiola obviously knows what he's doing. Doesn't bode well for Mangala though.

Any idea of fees being mooted Ric?

 

[the_game_161]

Stones and Laporte wow that'll be in the region of 80m.

Laporte yes but stones? nah not for that price.

 

[FantasyIreland]

If we're going to spend £80M+ on two centre backs surely they'd come in as starters and not just squad players ?

Given the shortcomings of our current lot,I don't envisage any other scenario.

 

[MasterOfKnees]

Definitely looking like a back three is being built, I can't see us spending big on both Stones and Laporte if both may end up on the bench when Kompany and Otamendi are fit (depending on form of course). I'm a fan of three at the back but it's also a risky tactic, hopefully our players have the tactical knowledge to adapt to it and fill in the holes when necessary, getting a great defensive midfielder will be more important than ever if that's the route we go.

 

[OB1]

Definitely looking like a back three is being built, I can't see us spending big on both Stones and Laporte if both may end up on the bench when Kompany and Otamendi are fit (depending on form of course). I'm a fan of three at the back but it's also a risky tactic, hopefully our players have the tactical knowledge to adapt to it and fill in the holes when necessary, getting a great defensive midfielder will be more important than ever if that's the route we go.

I don't see Pep building a back three although he may employ one in some instances and will almost certainly play with what I call a virtual back three where the full backs push on and a central midfielder drops in between the centre backs. I think Pep just wants his centre backs to be strong in possession.

 

[NQCitizen]

Gathering momentum this. Surprised we're going after two centre halves given the other gaps in the squad, but Guardiola obviously knows what he's doing. Doesn't bode well for Mangala though.

... Unless it's Vinnie.

 

[ADegenerate]

What an incredibly disheartening window if Laporte, Stones, and Gundogan end being our core signings this window. I'm all in with Pep of course but I couldn't be less energized going into next season....maybe that's a good thing though.

 

[razman]

Or the best manager in football sees a talent to work with more so than loons on an Internet forum

Well might as well close the forum if you can't write one's opinion!

 

[kaz7]

What an incredibly disheartening window if Laporte, Stones, and Gundogan end being our core signings this window. I'm all in with Pep of course but I couldn't be less energized going into next season....maybe that's a good thing though.

We have a talented squad that will raise their game and we need the right players to fit in,if they are not big glittering names then so be it,trust pep

 

[Utter bobbins]

Well might as well close the forum if you can't write one's opinion!

Yawn

 

[ADegenerate]

We have a talented squad that will raise their game and we need the right players to fit in,if they are not big glittering names then so be it,trust pep

You're probably right Karen. I think we all know this a three or four window project anyway. Better to get the standard/basics over with first. I'm just not ready to call it quits with the defenders we've bought quite yet. Trust in Pep though.

 

[razman]

Yawn

Good response. Well done

 

[Utter bobbins]

Good response. Well done

thought we we were going along the bog standard route do apologise