Long term plan.

[abu13]

With the signing of KDB looking to be nailed on it got me thinking about the strength of the squad and the succession plan for the future. All last season we had the ageing squad argument directed at us, i think we have gone a long way to rectifying this.
The only area's i have any concern with are left back and who will replace Yaya. With this in mind i can see us sticking with what we have and going all out for a top quality midfielder next year. Kolarov seems to be fired up this season and so i think we are good to go.

In the coming years we will need to replace a number of our top players but we have depth there already.

I can see us getting to a policy of a Marquee signing each year with academy guys being promoted if good enough. I think this may be the last window for a while where we have to strengthen in multiple areas at once.

In Hart,Otamendi, Mangala, Angelino, Delph, Sterling, KDB, Aguero, Ichenaco the future is looking really bright.

Hopefully Pogba sits tight and we turn his head next year :)

 

[proudbear]

I was just thinking about this. The contrasts to Barcelona 09/10 first XI is striking if you think about it. Txiki and Soriano have really turned City into carbon copys with the signings of Sterling and KDB.

Think about it;

Xavi - De Bruyne/Toure; Possession/Pass masters
Iniesta - Silva; In your face final 3rd magicians
Neymar/Villa - Sterling; Pacy winger who can dribble
Messi - Aguero; Obvious
Busquets - Fernandinho; Midfield Anchors

Direct attacking, passing football with lots of possession and a killer final ball. Obviously im not saying they're as good yet, but the set up and potential is definitely there for this season and beyond.

Barcelona all over and its so exciting what the future holds.

 

[Project]

I was just thinking about this. The contrasts to Barcelona 09/10 first XI is striking if you think about it. Txiki and Soriano have really turned City into carbon copys with the signings of Sterling and KDB.

Think about it;

Xavi - De Bruyne/Toure; Possession/Pass masters
Iniesta - Silva; In your face final 3rd magicians
Neymar/Villa - Sterling; Pacy winger who can dribble
Messi - Aguero; Obvious
Busquets - Fernandinho; Midfield Anchors

Direct attacking, passing football with lots of possession and a killer final ball. Obviously im not saying they're as good yet, but the set up and potential is definitely there for this season and beyond.

Barcelona all over and its so exciting what the future holds.

What?

 

[gazzaa2]

De Bruyne signing should leave the attack well served for a while. Over the next few windows we'll need a long-term replacement for Toure (Pogba would be ideal) and longer term full backs given the age of the players there.

 

[vmsuhail]

With the signing of KDB looking to be nailed on it got me thinking about the strength of the squad and the succession plan for the future. All last season we had the ageing squad argument directed at us, i think we have gone a long way to rectifying this.
The only area's i have any concern with are left back and who will replace Yaya. With this in mind i can see us sticking with what we have and going all out for a top quality midfielder next year. Kolarov seems to be fired up this season and so i think we are good to go.

In the coming years we will need to replace a number of our top players but we have depth there already.

I can see us getting to a policy of a Marquee signing each year with academy guys being promoted if good enough. I think this may be the last window for a while where we have to strengthen in multiple areas at once.

In Hart,Otamendi, Mangala, Angelino, Delph, Sterling, KDB, Aguero, Ichenaco the future is looking really bright.

Hopefully Pogba sits tight and we turn his head next year :)

So what is the average age of our squad now compared to last season (including KDB)?

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

Surely, the long term plan must involve bedding-in a few homegrown players, with maybe one stellar signing every summer?

In the meantime, our immediate circumstances will always dictate the buying policy.


Lets not forget the number of games that Kompany and Aguero have missed through injury over the last few seasons, and how it has affected their performance when returning too soon. Kompany has started brilliantly, but we can't afford our Captain to be missing a third of the season.

Every team has a few injury concerns, so hopefully by releasing Richards, Dzeko and Jovetic, we now have a fitter, more fluid, flexible squad, that can deal with every scenario.


Similarly, our reserve goalkeeper situation needs to be resolved, because Caballero will undoubtedly play in the domestic cups, and hardly filled the stadium with confidence last season.

 

[hihosilva]

The next areas to look at will be the full backs as all four, Zabba,Sagna, Clichy & Kolorov are in their 30's this season.
Not saying we need to replace all but I could see Clichy & Sagna moving on.

 

[Taylor]

I was laughing at some fans forums. United and Liverpool reckon our defence is there for the taking. Also seen a few fans say our midfield is still weak.

Some united fans even claimed KDB will have a negative impact on Silva as we might shove him centrally with Silva out wide- deluded or what!!

 

[proudbear]

What?

What is there not to understand?

 

[Dunne's own goal]

Also seen a few fans say our midfield is still weak.

Tbh I worry about that too (in Europe, not in Prem). Last couple of years every European team has run straight through our (Central) midfield and I don't think signing Delph will save us.

 

[Falastur]

So what is the average age of our squad now compared to last season (including KDB)?

26.9 compared to somewhere around 29 at the end of last season. However, if you take out Lopes and Denayer, it goes up to 27.5, so at the end of the season it'll be pushing 28.5, January purchases and sales notwithstanding, which is no real improvement at all.

 

[enrique67]

Some united fans even claimed KDB will have a negative impact on Silva as we might shove him centrally with Silva out wide- deluded or what!!

In reality what formation do you think we would play with KDB? Who would play where?

I have been thinking about this and am excited to see the permutations that Pellegrini will employ against the stronger CL squads.