Lionel Messi | Joins Inter Miami (pg4111)

[BillyShears]

Sergio is currently chatting a lot of shit about Barca and other clubs to a few people.

PSG, possibly, but his nose is out of joint and needing to talk up his options because City are still waiting to discuss new terms.

Sergio, as a free transfer?

With the signing fee and commensurate wages, I doubt Barca could even afford the commission to his dad.

I actually think Sergio would be best suited to Italy at this stage of his career, but I don't anticipate City not making him an offer of some description based on his legendary status at the club.

It might be a few quid less, even, but Sergio can afford to take the hit!!

Devil's advocate.

Give Kun a new deal or sign Messi?

(you can't have both)

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Last season Messi scored more goals than Aguero has done in most seasons he’s played for us. He also got more assists than De Bruyne. I actually think it’s Messi who is underrated as bizarre as it sounds.

I know what you mean, which is why we need to see it up close for ourselves, just for selfish reasons!!

Perhaps the better comparison or question to pose is how many more titles we would have had if Messi had played for us for the last ten years?

I suspect it would have been quite a few more.

Not to denigrate anyone.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Devil's advocate.

Give Kun a new deal or sign Messi?

(you can't have both)

Haha, that's a good one. I'd thank Sergio for all he has done and set him free.

I think more people would be more uncomfortable with it because there would be no big send off like there wasn't for Dave?

It would be fascinating to know how much Messi would need Sergio here, I suspect he would like him to be, even for a year to help him settle?

Sergio injuries remain the elephant in the room.

 

[HelloCity]

Devil's advocate.

Give Kun a new deal or sign Messi?

(you can't have both)

Aguero is barely playing so it would have to be Messi.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

I'd actually expect Mahrez and his own massive wages to be in the firing line also, certainly with Messi needing to come in off the right and potential for a transfer fee to offset Grealish.

 

[HelloCity]

If Messi does come I genuinely think in a future book he’ll admit that he should have come sooner. Probably when Pep first joined City.

Honestly, we’d have won the quadruple in either 17/18 or 18/19 if we had him.

 

[BillyShears]

Haha, that's a good one. I'd thank Sergio for all he has done and set him free.

I think more people would be more uncomfortable with it because there would be no big send off like there wasn't for Dave?

It would be fascinating to know how much Messi would need Sergio here, I suspect he would like him to be, even for a year to help him settle?

Sergio injuries remain the elephant in the room.

I think the legends will come back for a send off regardless.

In terms of Messi/Kun - I don't think his move will depend upon Kun remaining. Think the draw for Leo is clearly Pep and the chance to once again shine on the biggest stage in a winning team.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

I think the legends will come back for a send off regardless.

In terms of Messi/Kun - I don't think his move will depend upon Kun remaining. Think the draw for Leo is clearly Pep and the chance to once again shine on the biggest stage in a winning team.

Of course, mate, but Messi and Sergio are pals for obvious reasons, also, they have similar likes and traits?

Both are intensely private and Sergio does appear to be lonely in the interviews he has given when his son Benjamin isn't staying with him?

Transitioning from Barcelona to Manchester would be a massive challenge for Messi, having lined nowhere else for decades, all the stuff that brilliant city offers.

Whilst Pep could transition easier because he is the manager and is constantly preoccupied with team affairs, a player like Messi would need to have an ally like Sergio, perhaps?

It will be a circus with fanboys and paps congregating each day he leaves his Cheshire compound.

 

[domalino]

I'd actually expect Mahrez and his own massive wages to be in the firing line also, certainly with Messi needing to come in off the right and potential for a transfer fee to offset Grealish.

We need to offload Mahrez, Mendy and replace Carson with an u21 if we want to sign a LB, Messi, Striker and keep Fernandinho and Aguero.

That's going to be a tough ask. Mahrez isn't playing great and I thought PSG might fancy him with Draxler and Di Maria leaving, but Pochettino isn't the kind of coach who'd want Mahrez.

Mendy...where to start. We might end up paying most of his wages like Adebayor, or just leaving him out of the squad like Nasri.

 

[blueparrot]

I think the legends will come back for a send off regardless.

In terms of Messi/Kun - I don't think his move will depend upon Kun remaining. Think the draw for Leo is clearly Pep and the chance to once again shine on the biggest stage in a winning team.

I don’t think Messi coming depends on Aguero. My view is a goal calculation. If we get Messi would the squad have enough goals with Messi, Aguero and Jesus, or would we still need a new striker too. My guess would be we would go with those 3 and replace Aguero and maybe Messi too in 2022.
If on the other hand we didn’t get Messi, Aguero and Jesus wouldn’t be enough reliable goals and we would replace Aguero this summer with a new striker.