Mehdi Benatia

[MeatHunterrr]

I m sure we bought MDM who is a centre back and if memory serves me right we won the league and a cup to

And im sure we released Lescott and im sure we are not Arsenal. Therefore we need good CB, demichelis is now fourth or third choice.

How the hell do you get a starter last season (who turned out excellent by the way) down into 3rd or 4th place when we've not actually signed anyone?

Pretty certain we will, isnt that already obvious? So therefore Demichelis will drop down the pecking order.

 

[BringBackSwales]

I'm not expecting much this summer, this sounds about right to me.

I agree......these moves would improve the team but am concerned about Liverpool and Chelsea making bigger steps in the transfer window...we were not that far ahead at the end of the season so cannot afford to stand still......


City Watch ‏@City_Watch 8h
According to Onda Cero Málaga, Pellegrini has asked City to sign Sagna, Fernando, Benatia & Willy Caballero. One down, should be two soon...

Sounds like you're confusing bigger steps with bigger names. We have a wealth of excellent attacking talent, and just by keeping Aguero fit and having Jovetic ready we're still better than anyone else (And that's not just because of the players we have, but the system we play).

Don't forget what Pellegrini said about his time at Real Madrid - You can't build an orchestra with a load of guitarists. What we needed before the window was a right back, a central defender, better quality in depth at central midfield and another backup keeper due to Pants leaving. We've sorted one, by all accounts have sorted another, backup keeper isn't hugely important and then we just have a centre back to go. Anyone else would swap for our situation.

the only position in the team for which no other player can fill in; I just hope Joe doesn't get an injury

 

[adrianr]

I agree......these moves would improve the team but am concerned about Liverpool and Chelsea making bigger steps in the transfer window...we were not that far ahead at the end of the season so cannot afford to stand still......


City Watch ‏@City_Watch 8h
According to Onda Cero Málaga, Pellegrini has asked City to sign Sagna, Fernando, Benatia & Willy Caballero. One down, should be two soon...

Sounds like you're confusing bigger steps with bigger names. We have a wealth of excellent attacking talent, and just by keeping Aguero fit and having Jovetic ready we're still better than anyone else (And that's not just because of the players we have, but the system we play).

Don't forget what Pellegrini said about his time at Real Madrid - You can't build an orchestra with a load of guitarists. What we needed before the window was a right back, a central defender, better quality in depth at central midfield and another backup keeper due to Pants leaving. We've sorted one, by all accounts have sorted another, backup keeper isn't hugely important and then we just have a centre back to go. Anyone else would swap for our situation.

the only position in the team for which no other player can fill in; I just hope Joe doesn't get an injury

Its also the only position in the team where one player can quite literally play every single game of the season. We rotated Pants into the cup games so he'd stick around, but ultimately teams just don't have great backups because there's so little reason to rotate unless its enforced. Yes Hart could get injured or have another flap but without pants to pander to he should be playing every game we're in.

 

[George Hannah]

the only position in the team for which no other player can fill in; I just hope Joe doesn't get an injury

this is where the pinch begins to hurt

 

[Tricky_Trev]

Some media say that Manuels list is as following: sagna, Fernando, benatia and Willy. U guys think?

I'm not expecting much this summer, this sounds about right to me.

Just because those players don't score goals, it doesn't mean they "aren't much". That would be a very good transfer window for us and would make us a lot stronger. Top class partner for Vinnie, top class defensive midfielder, protecting the back four and meaning we get Yaya higher up the pitch. Plus, we have someone to take the strain off Zab, since Richards has proven to be incapable. We solve all the deficiencies in our squad.

 

[Sir Joe Aguero]

Some media say that Manuels list is as following: sagna, Fernando, benatia and Willy. U guys think?

I'm not expecting much this summer, this sounds about right to me.

Just because those players don't score goals, it doesn't mean they "aren't much". That would be a very good transfer window for us and would make us a lot stronger. Top class partner for Vinnie, top class defensive midfielder, protecting the back four and meaning we get Yaya higher up the pitch. Plus, we have someone to take the strain off Zab, since Richards has proven to be incapable. We solve all the deficiencies in our squad.

Still not got a traditional left winger.

 

[Mancitybluemoon1]

I'm not expecting much this summer, this sounds about right to me.

Just because those players don't score goals, it doesn't mean they "aren't much". That would be a very good transfer window for us and would make us a lot stronger. Top class partner for Vinnie, top class defensive midfielder, protecting the back four and meaning we get Yaya higher up the pitch. Plus, we have someone to take the strain off Zab, since Richards has proven to be incapable. We solve all the deficiencies in our squad.

Still not got a traditional left winger.

I agree....I would love to see a world class left winger on this team but watching them play I get the feeling Pelle uses wing-backs for that role with players like Silva and Narsi helping out.....I think we can cover ourselves for lack of wingers by the way we play but lack of a CB next to Kompany scares me!! ;)

 

[Tricky_Trev]

I'm not expecting much this summer, this sounds about right to me.

Just because those players don't score goals, it doesn't mean they "aren't much". That would be a very good transfer window for us and would make us a lot stronger. Top class partner for Vinnie, top class defensive midfielder, protecting the back four and meaning we get Yaya higher up the pitch. Plus, we have someone to take the strain off Zab, since Richards has proven to be incapable. We solve all the deficiencies in our squad.

Still not got a traditional left winger.

That's not how we play. Our entire game is based on having silva and nasri play centrally, overloading the midfield to dominate possession. Then Kolarov and Zab supply the width and overlapping runs. Kolarov is our left 'winger', playing from full back. We will never play with two traditional wingers. It's a way of playing that's pretty much extinct in the top sides.

 

[ped]

I'm not expecting much this summer, this sounds about right to me.

I agree......these moves would improve the team but am concerned about Liverpool and Chelsea making bigger steps in the transfer window...we were not that far ahead at the end of the season so cannot afford to stand still......


City Watch ‏@City_Watch 8h
According to Onda Cero Málaga, Pellegrini has asked City to sign Sagna, Fernando, Benatia & Willy Caballero. One down, should be two soon...

Sounds like you're confusing bigger steps with bigger names. We have a wealth of excellent attacking talent, and just by keeping Aguero fit and having Jovetic ready we're still better than anyone else (And that's not just because of the players we have, but the system we play).

Don't forget what Pellegrini said about his time at Real Madrid - You can't build an orchestra with a load of guitarists. What we needed before the window was a right back, a central defender, better quality in depth at central midfield and another backup keeper due to Pants leaving. We've sorted one, by all accounts have sorted another, backup keeper isn't hugely important and then we just have a centre back to go. Anyone else would swap for our situation.

agree ,with every word,if we can bring these 4 in ,we are as good as anyone in Europe.

 

[Shauntheprofitmachine]

Just because those players don't score goals, it doesn't mean they "aren't much". That would be a very good transfer window for us and would make us a lot stronger. Top class partner for Vinnie, top class defensive midfielder, protecting the back four and meaning we get Yaya higher up the pitch. Plus, we have someone to take the strain off Zab, since Richards has proven to be incapable. We solve all the deficiencies in our squad.

Still not got a traditional left winger.

That's not how we play. Our entire game is based on having silva and nasri play centrally, overloading the midfield to dominate possession. Then Kolarov and Zab supply the width and overlapping runs. Kolarov is our left 'winger', playing from full back. We will never play with two traditional wingers. It's a way of playing that's pretty much extinct in the top sides.

Does still seem to work well for Madrid and Bayern, mind

 

[BringBackSwales]

Sounds like you're confusing bigger steps with bigger names. We have a wealth of excellent attacking talent, and just by keeping Aguero fit and having Jovetic ready we're still better than anyone else (And that's not just because of the players we have, but the system we play).

Don't forget what Pellegrini said about his time at Real Madrid - You can't build an orchestra with a load of guitarists. What we needed before the window was a right back, a central defender, better quality in depth at central midfield and another backup keeper due to Pants leaving. We've sorted one, by all accounts have sorted another, backup keeper isn't hugely important and then we just have a centre back to go. Anyone else would swap for our situation.

the only position in the team for which no other player can fill in; I just hope Joe doesn't get an injury

Its also the only position in the team where one player can quite literally play every single game of the season. We rotated Pants into the cup games so he'd stick around, but ultimately teams just don't have great backups because there's so little reason to rotate unless its enforced. Yes Hart could get injured or have another flap but without pants to pander to he should be playing every game we're in.

you have just endorsed my point - you want Hart playing in every game, I have got no problem with that, but no capable understudy and 1 injury would mean we are fucked in all competitions - I don't want the risk of a full league season being fucked up because of 1 injury, and happilly nor will our management

 

[Rammyblues]

Whoever the back up keeper is he will play in COC and FA cup games to give Joe a rest. Seems to me there is a paucity of good keepers who are prepared second fiddle and with the added benefit of being "homegrown" We either look to the academy or we buy someone. The two most bandied about are Shay Given and Kieran Westwood.

I will again trust our management on this.

 

[LoveCity]

I don't think they want someone just happy to play second fiddle. I think they want someone to genuinely push Hart and keep him focused. When Hart felt safe last season and became complacent, he was a disaster. Then he was dropped and replaced, came back and was better. If someone like Westwood came, Hart would NEVER feel seriously at risk of losing his spot again.

Caballero would be perfect if they want someone not to 'back up' Hart but to really challenge him. On last season alone, Caballero was better and if he's willing to start as a #2 then we should jump at the chance - he's top notch. I'm not sure there is a local #2 really capable of pushing Hart. Hart is England's #1 by a mile and that's because most of the others aren't that good.

 

[adrianr]

the only position in the team for which no other player can fill in; I just hope Joe doesn't get an injury

Its also the only position in the team where one player can quite literally play every single game of the season. We rotated Pants into the cup games so he'd stick around, but ultimately teams just don't have great backups because there's so little reason to rotate unless its enforced. Yes Hart could get injured or have another flap but without pants to pander to he should be playing every game we're in.

you have just endorsed my point - you want Hart playing in every game, I have got no problem with that, but no capable understudy and 1 injury would mean we are fucked in all competitions - I don't want the risk of a full league season being fucked up because of 1 injury, and happilly nor will our management

My first point was simply that the quality of our back up keeper is the least of our worries, which it is. Yes, an injury to Hart and a less capable backup would put us in more trouble than a more capable one, but you can't account for every injury eventuality especially the little keepers get injured anyway. No team really has that good a back up, unless it's in an overlap season where they haven't been sent out on loan and/or been sold. We won't have another Given/Hart situation long term which is what it sounds like people want. We couldn't even keep Pants happy and he's nowhere near an elite level keeper.

 

[adrianr]

I don't think they want someone just happy to play second fiddle. I think they want someone to genuinely push Hart and keep him focused. When Hart felt safe last season and became complacent, he was a disaster. Then he was dropped and replaced, came back and was better. If someone like Westwood came, Hart would NEVER feel seriously at risk of losing his spot again.

Caballero would be perfect if they want someone not to 'back up' Hart but to really challenge him. On last season alone, Caballero was better and if he's willing to start as a #2 then we should jump at the chance - he's top notch. I'm not sure there is a local #2 really capable of pushing Hart. Hart is England's #1 by a mile and that's because most of the others aren't that good.

Case in point. Caballero would be awesome - How long do people think we can realistically keep both him and Hart happy at the same club? I'd give it a season, two tops, or until the first high profile game one of them gets picked over the other. Unless Caballero really is happy being a number 2, because everything about Harts personality suggests he wouldn't be. We can do cups and league etc, but ultimate both keepers want to play in the big league and champions league games, and no amount of league cup or FA cup finals will make up for that.

And whilst having someone to push Hart is great, if he isn't mature and professional enough by now to stay on top of his game without someone waiting to take his place perhaps he should consider lower pressure pastures. I think now he can be, Pellegrini has made his point with him, and if he has another shoddy season he'll be moved on.

 

[LoveCity]

Case in point. Caballero would be awesome - How long do people think we can realistically keep both him and Hart happy at the same club? I'd give it a season, two tops, or until the first high profile game one of them gets picked over the other. Unless Caballero really is happy being a number 2, because everything about Harts personality suggests he wouldn't be. We can do cups and league etc, but ultimate both keepers want to play in the big league and champions league games, and no amount of league cup or FA cup finals will make up for that.

And whilst having someone to push Hart is great, if he isn't mature and professional enough by now to stay on top of his game without someone waiting to take his place perhaps he should consider lower pressure pastures. I think now he can be, Pellegrini has made his point with him, and if he has another shoddy season he'll be moved on.

If it comes to that, we should cross that bridge when we get to it. Barca just signed the best goalkeeper in Germany (Ter Stegen) besides Neuer and are also getting Claudio Bravo, the Sociedad and Chile #1 who is a quality keeper and who, unlike Willy, has been playing Champions League football this season.

If Caballero joins, it will surely be with the understanding that he starts as our 'cup' goalkeeper, and he also has a fantastic personal relationship with Pellegrini so despite being a bit of a character, likely wouldn't throw his toys out of the pram.

And if the day comes in future when Cabellero wants to move on, we should just repeat the process IMO. Sell and get another good #2. I'd be worried if Kieren Westwood had to play a long string of games for City. I'm not in favour of signing players just because they fill an optional quota. I'd rather name a reduced Premier League squad and have quality over quantity.

But I have a feeling we could keep Caballero happy. He is almost 33, would get a huge pay rise, and would make a real push for more games. In fact, the biggest potential problem might be him taking Joe Hart's place and Joe Hart becoming unhappy (or improving more to win his spot back), but if that happens it will be because Caballero has been great and there is no room for sentiment at a top club.

Keylor Navas would also be a very good #2 if Caballero went elsewhere. He and Caballero were better than Valdes and Diego Lopez in La Liga last season.

 

[George Hannah]

Case in point. Caballero would be awesome - How long do people think we can realistically keep both him and Hart happy at the same club? I'd give it a season, two tops, or until the first high profile game one of them gets picked over the other. Unless Caballero really is happy being a number 2, because everything about Harts personality suggests he wouldn't be. We can do cups and league etc, but ultimate both keepers want to play in the big league and champions league games, and no amount of league cup or FA cup finals will make up for that.

And whilst having someone to push Hart is great, if he isn't mature and professional enough by now to stay on top of his game without someone waiting to take his place perhaps he should consider lower pressure pastures. I think now he can be, Pellegrini has made his point with him, and if he has another shoddy season he'll be moved on.

If it comes to that, we should cross that bridge when we get to it. Barca just signed the best goalkeeper in Germany (Ter Stegen) besides Neuer and are also getting Claudio Bravo, the Sociedad and Chile #1 who is a quality keeper and who, unlike Willy, has been playing Champions League football this season.

If Caballero joins, it will surely be with the understanding that he starts as our 'cup' goalkeeper, and he also has a fantastic personal relationship with Pellegrini so despite being a bit of a character, likely wouldn't throw his toys out of the pram.

And if the day comes in future when Cabellero wants to move on, we should just repeat the process IMO. Sell and get another good #2. I'd be worried if Kieren Westwood had to play a long string of games for City. I'm not in favour of signing players just because they fill an optional quota. I'd rather name a reduced Premier League squad and have quality over quantity.

But I have a feeling we could keep Caballero happy. He is almost 33, would get a huge pay rise, and would make a real push for more games. In fact, the biggest potential problem might be him taking Joe Hart's place and Joe Hart becoming unhappy (or improving more to win his spot back), but if that happens it will be because Caballero has been great and there is no room for sentiment at a top club.

Keylor Navas would also be a very good #2 if Caballero went elsewhere. He and Caballero were better than Valdes and Diego Lopez in La Liga last season.

but the whole argument for Westwood is because of the UEFA attack, nobody is suggesting he's got the pedigree of Caballero. It's a case of a means to an end for this season only.

 

[LoveCity]

Case in point. Caballero would be awesome - How long do people think we can realistically keep both him and Hart happy at the same club? I'd give it a season, two tops, or until the first high profile game one of them gets picked over the other. Unless Caballero really is happy being a number 2, because everything about Harts personality suggests he wouldn't be. We can do cups and league etc, but ultimate both keepers want to play in the big league and champions league games, and no amount of league cup or FA cup finals will make up for that.

And whilst having someone to push Hart is great, if he isn't mature and professional enough by now to stay on top of his game without someone waiting to take his place perhaps he should consider lower pressure pastures. I think now he can be, Pellegrini has made his point with him, and if he has another shoddy season he'll be moved on.

If it comes to that, we should cross that bridge when we get to it. Barca just signed the best goalkeeper in Germany (Ter Stegen) besides Neuer and are also getting Claudio Bravo, the Sociedad and Chile #1 who is a quality keeper and who, unlike Willy, has been playing Champions League football this season.

If Caballero joins, it will surely be with the understanding that he starts as our 'cup' goalkeeper, and he also has a fantastic personal relationship with Pellegrini so despite being a bit of a character, likely wouldn't throw his toys out of the pram.

And if the day comes in future when Cabellero wants to move on, we should just repeat the process IMO. Sell and get another good #2. I'd be worried if Kieren Westwood had to play a long string of games for City. I'm not in favour of signing players just because they fill an optional quota. I'd rather name a reduced Premier League squad and have quality over quantity.

But I have a feeling we could keep Caballero happy. He is almost 33, would get a huge pay rise, and would make a real push for more games. In fact, the biggest potential problem might be him taking Joe Hart's place and Joe Hart becoming unhappy (or improving more to win his spot back), but if that happens it will be because Caballero has been great and there is no room for sentiment at a top club.

Keylor Navas would also be a very good #2 if Caballero went elsewhere. He and Caballero were better than Valdes and Diego Lopez in La Liga last season.

but the whole argument for Westwood is because of the UEFA attack, nobody is suggesting he's got the pedigree of Caballero. It's a case of a means to an end for this season only.

You mean the Champions League squad (16+5)? Then bring in someone as a short-term #3 or name Richard Wright if a foreign keeper as #2 isn't possible. Of course, there would be a risk in that but the probability of a forced Hart absence in the CL is a lot smaller than in the PL because of so fewer games. But we've lost our Premier League #2 (briefly our #1) and cup keeper, and he was a pretty decent keeper. Replacing him with mediocrity would be weakening our squad and I'm not in favour of that personally.

I'd also like to see Joe Hart kept on his toes. I like him but am still not fully convinced by him, but the way to keep him at his best is to keep him focused and not complacent.

 

[mainemanc1066]

I thought this would be about Mehdi Benetia?

 

[birchwoodgingerste]

I thought this would be about Mehdi Benetia?

Apparently not been hijacked again.