Kalidou Koulibaly

[Stoned Rose]

We have a realistic valuation. £65m is the limit

65.1m out of the question then mate? ;)

 

[Chi-town blues]

If we fail to bring in a top level forward, we certainly won’t. That’s arguably our biggest weakness, profligacy in front or goal. Jesus and Sterling couldn’t hit a cow on the arse with a stick

Are you enjoying blowing your own saxophone?

 

[ctid1894]

There is nobody better on the market! Koulibaly is top CB better than anyone we have by country mile.

I'll never understand comments like this, unless you have an encyclopedic knowledge of every player in world football which no one here does and is practically impossible for a top class football club, nevermind an individual, then it's an ignorant claim to make and simply cannot be substantiated.

We've signed loads of players not considered the "best on the market" over the last 10 years and yet we've had some of the best players in the world who have signed for us (e.g. Kompany, Silva, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Aguero). Fernandinho for example was 28 when we signed him and still at Shakhtar, no real competition for his signature from what I can remember and he's been the best defensive midfield player in world football for 4-5 years, if not more.

 

[MeatHunterrr]

I'll never understand comments like this, unless you have an encyclopedic knowledge of every player in world football which no one here does and is practically impossible for a top class football club, nevermind an individual, then it's an ignorant claim to make and simply cannot be substantiated.

We've signed loads of players not considered the "best on the market" over the last 10 years and yet we've had some of the best players in the world who have signed for us (e.g. Kompany, Silva, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Aguero). Fernandinho for example was 28 when we signed him and still at Shakhtar, no real competition for his signature from what I can remember and he's been the best defensive midfield player in world football for 4-5 years, if not more.

Fernandinho was well known. He ripped Chelsea apart in CL before we signed him, also Spurs tried to sign him in 2012 summer.

We have not signed any obscure gems like you seem to suggest. All of our signings bar Zinchenko had good reputation and were known. Even Jesus had interest from Barca and Bayern before signing for us.

 

[Marvin]

I'll never understand comments like this, unless you have an encyclopedic knowledge of every player in world football which no one here does and is practically impossible for a top class football club, nevermind an individual, then it's an ignorant claim to make and simply cannot be substantiated.

We've signed loads of players not considered the "best on the market" over the last 10 years and yet we've had some of the best players in the world who have signed for us (e.g. Kompany, Silva, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Aguero). Fernandinho for example was 28 when we signed him and still at Shakhtar, no real competition for his signature from what I can remember and he's been the best defensive midfield player in world football for 4-5 years, if not more.

KK is the best low risk signing. You are right to claim that no one can claim with any certainty that there aren't better players out there who are less well known but those players would also be a higher risk, and with a transfer window in operation, City are unlikely to take risks. The opportunity cost of not signing KK when he is available is enormous.

 

[mosssideblue]

If we fail to bring in a top level forward, we certainly won’t. That’s arguably our biggest weakness, profligacy in front or goal. Jesus and Sterling couldn’t hit a cow on the arse with a stick

Do you really mean that, seriously?

 

[ctid1894]

Fernandinho was well known. He ripped Chelsea apart in CL before we signed him, also Spurs tried to sign him in 2012 summer.

We have not signed any obscure gems like you seem to suggest. All of our signings bar Zinchenko had good reputation and were known. Even Jesus had interest from Barca and Bayern before signing for us.

Fernandinho was playing as an attacking midfielder for Shahktar, he certainly wasn't considered among the best defensive midfielders available.

I never said anything about obscure gems, that's made up rubbish to try and deflect from the original discussion. Truth remains, unless you have an encyclopedic knowledge of world footballers you can't claim Koulibaly is the best on the market because it's completely unsubstantiated and unverifiable.

 

[asahartford1]

If we fail to bring in a top level forward, we certainly won’t. That’s arguably our biggest weakness, profligacy in front or goal. Jesus and Sterling couldn’t hit a cow on the arse with a stick

Have you not watched the CL. Neyumar has missed sitter after sitter. It happens , even the best score 1 out of 2 or 3 chances. Why doesn't the average joe understand that.
Lewanddoski has missed a fair few too.
Only Rashford is perfect in front of goal.

 

[ctid1894]

KK is the best low risk signing. You are right to claim that no one can claim with any certainty that there aren't better players out there who are less well known but those players would also be a higher risk, and with a transfer window in operation, City are unlikely to take risks. The opportunity cost of not signing KK when he is available is enormous.

Low risk in terms of ability, I'd agree although I wouldn't necessarily say the best low risk. Low risk in terms of overall transfer, I'd strongly disagree.

High risk if the signing doesn't work out for whatever reason, you can't just sell him on and try again (e.g. Danilo > Cancelo) due to his age, the transfer fee and most likely the very high wages he'll command for a defender.

It's a huge gamble as far as I'm concerned, I certainly don't buy into this motion that if we don't get him we'll be relegated by Christmas bollocks that's for sure (not accusing you of that btw, just some of the other outlandish quotes we've seen in the thread).

 

[ChicagoBlue]

The opportunity cost of not signing KK when he is available is enormous.

Spoken like someone who doesn’t know the opportunity cost, and who doesn’t have to pay the bills.

We have needs all over the park and smashing our transfer record for KK, which is where this looks like going, a 29 yr old with no PL experience, strikes me as having potentially very high costs.