Kalvin Phillips

[Keeper!]

If we get this kid…and Stones and Walker are nailed on starters, what do we do with the other four CBs who have to rotate for one spot?

Stones misses dozens of games a season, Walker needs some rest, Ake is often injured, Dias the same, the stronger the squad the better.

 

[Barcon]

We've already got a ginger.

 

[Middedon]

Stones misses dozens of games a season, Walker needs some rest, Ake is often injured, Dias the same, the stronger the squad the better.

True. And Ake and Akanji are getting closer to 30, so this would help lower the age profile. I mean I guess a good problem would be having them all healthy! I just don’t want anyone to get irritated and leave!

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

I think we signed Nunes after that deal fell through, I would like a left-back/wingback, please

Selling Phillips will see us getting our money back, it's time we finally sorted out the left-back role once and for all, maybe then we can start to see a balanced team and stop asking centre backs to cover that role

Spot-on. Pep has worked round the left back issue for years. But it costs us again and again… the last one being Chelsea at the weekend. Delph did well and also Zinchenko but imagine how unbeatable we would be with a world-class left back.

 

[ancoats]

Spot-on. Pep has worked round the left back issue for years. But it costs us again and again… the last one being Chelsea at the weekend. Delph did well and also Zinchenko but imagine how unbeatable we would be with a world-class left back.

It still puzzles me how we are so good and win titles and cups without a left-back or wing-back.
Only Klopp and Liverpool have really worked us out down the left with Salah and it's why we struggle against them,
Against Chelsea at the weekend it was so on show that our left side of the defence was weak and Doku never really got back to help Gvardiol and I think the whole of the defence was in a panic.

The Balance of the team is so important against the better teams, when we have one of them days when we panic and make silly mistakes they always cost us because the other manager and team overload down the left and attack us with pace.

For the Best team in the world, We really do bluff and Gamble at left back/wing-back

 

[Gabriel]

For the Best team in the world, We really do bluff and Gamble at left back/wing-back

The left-back position is also more cruelly exposed when there is insufficient cover from centre midfield, and with no Stones to anchor, Rodri’s talents are spread even more thinly. A central defender at left-back can certainly allow Doku to remain a constant threat upfield on the left, but if the opponent gets space in between them, then we are running a high risk. A Rice or a Paqueta against Chelsea would have shut that door quite easily.

 

[ancoats]

The left-back position is also more cruelly exposed when there is insufficient cover from centre midfield, and with no Stones to anchor, Rodri’s talents are spread even more thinly. A central defender at left-back can certainly allow Doku to remain a constant threat upfield on the left, but if the opponent gets space in between them, then we are running a high risk. A Rice or a Paqueta against Chelsea would have shut that door quite easily.

Adding Rice or Paqueta is still not addressing the problem at the left-back

Yes, Pep has found a system that can help with playing Stones with Rodri, But again we struggle when facing players like Salah at Liverpool. Because City are a great team Going forward 90% of the games we face there is no problem and we could play any sort of system at the back,

Why not have a proper left-back or wing-back in the squad, What harm will it cause having the right tool in the box,
We have seen Last season what a proper Striker can add to the team,

 

[Gabriel]

Adding Rice or Paqueta is still not addressing the problem at the left-back

Yes, Pep has found a system that can help with playing Stones with Rodri, But again we struggle when facing players like Salah at Liverpool. Because City are a great team Going forward 90% of the games we face there is no problem and we could play any sort of system at the back,

Why not have a proper left-back or wing-back in the squad, What harm will it cause having the right tool in the box,
We have seen Last season what a proper Striker can add to the team,

Indeed. In the seven summers since Kolarov left, the management have returned from their annual quest empty-handed, unable to find the fabled treasure that is a left-back. Is it really that hard? Heavens, Indiana Jones was able to lay his hands on the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail in half that time! Instead Guardiola has had to make do and mend with an unlikely assortment of artefacts, a couple of whom wouldn't get shelf space in the People's Museum. Some will say "don't be so ungrateful: look at all the trophies!" To that I say, look at the rings of dust where once stood the League Cup and Charity Shield...

In the meantime, before the quest recommences, perhaps it's time for Phillips to undergo Guardiola's conversion therapy and see if he can play left-back.

Maybe just wait.

 

[ancoats]

Indeed. In the seven summers since Kolarov left, the management have returned from their annual quest empty-handed, unable to find the fabled treasure that is a left-back. Is it really that hard? Heavens, Indiana Jones was able to lay his hands on the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail in half that time! Instead Guardiola has had to make do and mend with an unlikely assortment of artefacts, a couple of whom wouldn't get shelf space in the People's Museum. Some will say "don't be so ungrateful: look at all the trophies!" To that I say, look at the rings of dust where once stood the League Cup and Charity Shield...

In the meantime, before the quest recommences, perhaps it's time for Phillips to undergo Guardiola's conversion therapy and see if he can play left-back.

Maybe just wait.

I think the left-back has to be fast and mobile, So am ruling out Phillips ever playing there

 

[Ghostofmerlin]

I think we can rule out Phillips playing anywhere on the pitch, for us anyway.