Kylian Mbappe

[aguero93:20]

If Sergio has made his mind up to leave it's the one we do need.

Only those in the club know for a fact what is going on but rumours seem to persist Serg is leaving

Rumours have persisted that Sergio wanted to leave since the day we signed him, he's been going to Madrid, Barca and PSG for definite in every single transfer window since the January 2012 one, so I'll take those with a pinch of salt. Even if he didn't want to stay and rotate, I doubt he'd leave if we didn't bring in a new marquee forward.

 

[aguero93:20]

I think we need a GK, 2 full backs, a CB, a pivot/DM and a forward (2 if Aguero leaves). 80%+ of the club's efforts will probably go into sorting out the defensive players. 80%+ of the press's attention will be on the forward position (more so if Aguero leaves). I dont think that the level of press coverage is a good indicator of where the club's priorities lie. And it will not be a case of the club trying to complete the signings sequentially, highest priority first etc.

If that's the case then I'd have no problem with it. It's not how we've operated since 2011 though.

 

[domalino]

We're not really under any pressure to sell this summer with so many out of contract and Nasri/Mangala putting themselves well into the shop window. Hart shouldn't be an issue either with his national status.

If we have deals lined up I'd have expected them to be announced by now - especially the likes of say, Kolasinac, who's been free to negotiate with any non German club since the 1st of January, Henrichs (Bayer have form for announcing transfers before the window opens) or Moraes, who's club have made no effort to hide we've been after him.

The attacking links are worrying me at this stage - we've form over the last few seasons for blatantly neglecting positions we needed to strengthen or trying to fill them out with substandard players at the last minute.

Guardiola knows what he's doing. He won't be happy that the defence is coughing up goals, but he's correct in what he's said all season, the attack is the problem.

Since the Tottenham draw at home we've conceded 7 goals (0.8 per game, Good) and scored 17 (1.9 per game, not good)

We should be scoring near 3 goals per game with the amount and quality of attacking players we have on the pitch, it's the main reason we're not killing off games and winning them comfortably, it's why we dropped points to Stoke, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea. We couldn't score when we had dominant possession and loads of time.

 

[aguero93:20]

Guardiola knows what he's doing. He won't be happy that the defence is coughing up goals, but he's correct in what he's said all season, the attack is the problem.

Since the Tottenham draw at home we've conceded 7 goals (0.8 per game, Good) and scored 17 (1.9 per game, not good)

We should be scoring near 3 goals per game with the amount and quality of attacking players we have on the pitch, it's the main reason we're not killing off games and winning them comfortably, it's why we dropped points to Stoke, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea. We couldn't score when we had dominant possession and loads of time.

Reminds me of Mancio's comment about playing ten strikers. I honestly think that the most important players we can sign this summer with regards to our attack are two top full backs. They'll give Sané and Sterling far more support and freedom and bring more width and balance to our attacking play, leaving our players in more space, resulting in more clear cut chances and more goals. On top of that, the full backs are the outlet ball and integral to both building from the back and counter attacking.

 

[Tevez City]

You've made this point before about composure v confidence. To me it's a grey area. His goal against Swansea was brilliant - great composure and also the confidence to throw the step over in and score. But then how many scuffs or mis-hit efforts has he had? That's not a lack of confidence in his shooting, it's poor execution that is potentially down to a lack of composure, or concentration.

Sterling seems to produce those moments of composure/confidence when we’re already winning games. In tight games, at 0-0, or when we’re losing and he has a chance he seems to fluff his lines on occasion. For him to step up he needs to keep composed and be confident in his game regardless of the score. That makes a top class player, the ability to be consistent in their performances and confident in their ability. He’s missed chances he should bury, where he just needs to side foot the ball into the goal but gets the timing wrong. That’s about concentration. Watching the ball and being composed in the finish – not lashing at the ball or rushing the shot. It’s a mix of confidence and composure.


Overall we’re on the same page though. He’s been brilliant this season and I’m just picking one part of his game I feel is preventing him becoming one of the very best in Europe. He gets that goal scoring column up to 1 in 3games or so and in combination with his assist record he’ll be incredible. It’s the same for De Bruyne and Sane.


Much has been said of our defence but we’ve created so many chances in games that those defensive mistakes shouldn’t have really cost us points in any case.

Thanks for replying to @domalino and saving my time.

Sterling is one of my favorite player in the team, he takes risk and create chances but he hesitate a lot imo.

 

[supercity88]

Reminds me of Mancio's comment about playing ten strikers. I honestly think that the most important players we can sign this summer with regards to our attack are two top full backs. They'll give Sané and Sterling far more support and freedom and bring more width and balance to our attacking play, leaving our players in more space, resulting in more clear cut chances and more goals. On top of that, the full backs are the outlet ball and integral to both building from the back and counter attacking.

Pep loves to overlap and pack certain areas of the pitch to create space elsewhere. We saw with the team goal against Hull, how keeping possession sucked Hull out (as they were trying to force an error) and then as Silva had the ball, not only was Sterling looking to receive it (more narrow), Navas was bursting forward and dragged their full back away from him which allowed him room to run into. If Navas doesn't make that run Sterling has another defender to contend with and possibly doesn't manage to make the same run.

Going back to Mancini we didn't really have much pace out wide. Silva would be one side, Nasri the other (or Adam Johnson) and most of the play would be about cutting inside. When players do that, they need a full back overlapping so that when they cut inside they have an option of playing the full back in, and an option of using the extra space to put a ball in the box or find a team mate.

As you say, getting two dynamic and attacking full backs will be a huge benefit to the team. Particularly as Sterling and Sane are able to exploit any bit of space they might be afforded. It also makes a huge difference if you want to play 3-5-2 (or a version of). I thought when England played Germany with 3 at the back, it showed how crucial a quality full back is. On the right, Walker was brilliant. So much pace and attacking intent. He tried to take the opposing defender on, or found a team mate but was pressing and defending from the front. On the other side, Bertrand was bang average. He wasn't comfortable in that role and didn't seem happy to try and attack the opposing defender with the same intent, instead looking for an outlet instantly.

If we can secure two attacking full backs we'll be a much much better side. You can imagine Silva finding a pocket of space one side of the pitch and then switching play to a full back in an attacking area at which point, on receiving the ball they'd have the winger and a striker running ahead of them to receive the ball and provide an option. At times this season, the outlet ball has been to Sterling/Sane and they've only had Aguero ahead of them and have had to either take the man on themselves, or wait for the supporting players to provide option, slowing everything down.

 

[BlueDeadHead]

You have probably misunderstood me. Extending contract means staying for, say, 1 year and then changing clubs for a huge sum. Mbappe's current deal expires in 2 years, so I bet he will extend it to allow Monaco getting 100m+ fee whenever he decides to leave (for example, next summer). It's a good move, as it guarantees that:
1) the club he owes will get huge fee, with Mbappe leaving on a very good terms,
2) he will have an 'insurance' to be a starter for his next club, be it Real, Juventus or City. No coach would dare to bench 100m purchase, that's how it works.
As for City and Pep, don't forget that we're biased, and not everyone is obliged to share our fascination with Mansour's project. Let's be honest - City's profile is still far behind the big boyz in neutral person's eyes, we need to win our first CL at least to break this wall.
Edit: think Henry would give Mbappe the same advice, if asked (and he'll surely be asked) : stay for 1 year to mature a bit, then move to work with Guardiola.

No I understand you. I just don't agree with you. If Pep thinks you are the heir to Messi, you move when he asks you to. You do everything he asks you to do and then you become the best player of your generation. That is exactly what Messi did.

Pep is getting ready to sell Aguero. He sent Hart packing. He won't give a shit what we pay for anybody. Transfer fee doesn't even come into his thinking when he chooses his starting 11. That actually is how it works.

And you don't say no or wait a year because of

Genuinely can't believe some of the stuff hearing and going on.

It's not Sanchez or Mbappe, it's both, with a more than acceptable fallback if the kid wants to wait or go elsewhere.

Kun must have something boxed-off or at least on the table.

 

[Dax777]

I just prefer to be pessimistic to not get upset eventually. What you're saying is too good to be true mate :) Time will tell.

Stay pessimistic my friend, its the best way to be. The optimists amongst us, are bound for dissapointment. :-)

 

[Afrenchguy]

Monaco will end up demanding what they want for this lad if he carries on scoring as he is in the Champions League.

I am starting to think whether €100m will be enough. He looks potentially set to replace Ronaldo as the best European player in a few years.

Ballon D'or material maybe.

As I already said, no it's not since Monaco rejected the 110M€ bid by M.City.

Barcelona thought that about Jesus. Don't underestimate Pep.

Don't overestimate Pep. He already said few weeks ago that he had a career plan since he's 14YO, and nothing will make him change his mind about that. That's why he won't leave this summer, and why he will be at Madrid if they want to.

All the people wanting to sign him but when would he play? Ahead of Kun (IF he is still here this summer) ? NO. Ahead of Gabriel Jesus? NO.

Yeah, easylly ahead of both of them, specially with Pep. Won't take more than three weeks to be far ahead.

 

[hcblue95]

As I already said, no it's not since Monaco rejected the 110M€ bid by M.City.



Don't overestimate Pep. He already said few weeks ago that he had a career plan since he's 14YO, and nothing will make him change his mind about that. That's why he won't leave this summer, and why he will be at Madrid if they want to.



Yeah, easylly ahead of both of them, specially with Pep. Won't take more than three weeks to be far ahead.

What makes you think this 110m bid is true. No one has heard about this bid except you, unfortunately you will have to accept that most of your players are leaving this summer and hope that you replace them well.