Lucas Paquetá

[Dribble]

Association trained is 3 years at an English or Welsh academy before the age of 21, note not Scottish. Slightly different for European competition where there are A and B lists.

I'm well aware of what constitutes Association trained. Regardless of which way you want to dress it up, or twist your post, Aké is Dutch. He's NOT English.

 

[Gabriel]

Do you think McAtee has a future here? Can Bobb step up & replace KDB or Foden at the highest level if required? What's Lewis's best position, & can he replace Walker now or stand in for Rodders? I'm a huge fan of Bobb & Lewis BTW.

Agreed with Paqueta & Neves. I just suspect with Kev's injuries & age, & the annual "Will he, won't he" situation with Bernardo, I think we need to be planning & blooding their long-term replacements from now, whether that be internally, or bringing in outside reinforcements.

I think Bobb has an incredibly bright future ahead of him, and season 25-26 will be when he cements his place alongside Foden in the middle. Lewis will make a very good central midfielder; the vast amount of experience he has in CL games alone makes him invaluable. McAtee can have a future if he is moulded into a right-wing version of Grealish. However, that might involve both parties swallowing a bit of pride and agreeing to rebuild their relationship.

De Bruyne and Walker will presumably retire from international football this summer, so the question arises as to whether doing so keeps them fresh enough for another gruelling season of club football or whether that is the start of their decline. I think they’ll both stay, though if Walker is holding trophies above his head, ala Gundogan, he might bow out on top. I pray I don’t see Bernardo leaving for cash, so if he has to go, it would be better that he’s used in a deal for Neves. Irrespective of how the season ends, though, with so much football more injuries are inevitable, so we need to have more players that we can call upon at all times.

 

[Dribble]

I think Bobb has an incredibly bright future ahead of him, and season 25-26 will be when he cements his place alongside Foden in the middle. Lewis will make a very good central midfielder; the vast amount of experience he has in CL games alone makes him invaluable. McAtee can have a future if he is moulded into a right-wing version of Grealish. However, that might involve both parties swallowing a bit of pride and agreeing to rebuild their relationship.

De Bruyne and Walker will presumably retire from international football this summer, so the question arises as to whether doing so keeps them fresh enough for another gruelling season of club football or whether that is the start of their decline. I think they’ll both stay, though if Walker is holding trophies above his head, ala Gundogan, he might bow out on top. I pray I don’t see Bernardo leaving for cash, so if he has to go, it would be better that he’s used in a deal for Neves. Irrespective of how the season ends, though, with so much football more injuries are inevitable, so we need to have more players that we can call upon at all times.

I suppose a lot will depend on our plans for a CDM & what happens with Bernardo.

Again, will Lewis eventually be a No 8, a No 6, or an inverted RB, & when will he be ready to step up as first choice? Do we bring in other players until he's ready to be first choice? If so, whom?

I think both Walker & KDB are more likely to remain than leave, but as we saw with Gundog & Mahrez, we can't rule anything out.

I'll be utterly gutted if Bernie leaves, but we can't hold onto a player if he wants to go & his Release Clause is met.

It promises to be a big & pivotal summer for us in terms of squad shaping.

 

[Brightwell Bros.]

But is he as good as the other 3. Is he even as good as Mata? We should only be acquiring players who are top 20-30 in the world. Does Paqueta fall in that category?

Think that's unrealistic tbh.

The honest answer is I don't know, I think he's very, very good on the eye, and the advanced data would suggest he has something that Pep and the rest think they can improve and add something to the squad we dont have.

 

[Cityfan]

But is he as good as the other 3. Is he even as good as Mata? We should only be acquiring players who are top 20-30 in the world. Does Paqueta fall in that category?

I'm not to sure who would have been considered top 30 in the world when we signed them.
Pretty certain amongst others Ake, Akanji, Stones Ederson Doku, Rodri Alvarez etc would not have been. In all honesty Phillips as a full England International regular may well have been rated higher than some signings we have made that turned out fine

 

[The Black Shed]

You can't compare Philips with Paqueta, they play different roles/positions. But you don't get 40+ caps for the Brazilian national team without having something about you, certainly in that creative role. £85m though? seems excessive but not surprising as he is the main guy for West Ham and without him they don't create as easily. And it's City, so double what you'd expect to sell him for

 

[mattcity5]

Just seen this...

Yes we're not West Ham, but I'm not sure we can think of him as a replacement for Gundo. Gundo hardly ever gave the ball away and almost always took the sensible option. I don't see that with Paqueta and id stay clear - but I admit I'm saying that without knowing the plan for him, so maybe it could work, who knows.

Just feel there's got to be better (and cheaper) options.

 

[Paulmcfc2703]

You can't compare Philips with Paqueta, they play different roles/positions. But you don't get 40+ caps for the Brazilian national team without having something about you, certainly in that creative role. £85m though? seems excessive but not surprising as he is the main guy for West Ham and without him they don't create as easily. And it's City, so double what you'd expect to sell him for

'You don't get 40+ caps for the Brazilian national team without having something about you'.

How many does Richarlison have?

Kleberson had a load of caps too. Elano had plenty but I don't think he would get a sniff in this current team either.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

'You don't get 40+ caps for the Brazilian national team without having something about you'.

How many does Richarlison have?

Kleberson had a load of caps too. Elano had plenty but I don't think he would get a sniff in this current team either.

Fred has 32 caps…

 

[The Black Shed]

'You don't get 40+ caps for the Brazilian national team without having something about you'.

How many does Richarlison have?

Kleberson had a load of caps too. Elano had plenty but I don't think he would get a sniff in this current team either.

Fred has 32 caps…

I know, I know. And someone will no doubt point out that Phillips has 40 caps, and I don't recall Fernandinho tearing it up for Brazil either. I'm just saying Paqueta is a very good player but not valued at £85m