Ndombele (signed for Spurs)

[DTeacher]

I still think this is best option for us.

Fucking love him.

You are Steve Jennings and I claim my £500000.....actually, a good, positive article for once!!

https://www.squawka.com/en/features/tanguy-ndombele-lyon-pick-spurs-man-city-real-madrid

 

[ADegenerate]

I don’t watch a ton of the French Ligue games but I have caught a handful of them specifically to see how well this guy played outside of his impressive highlights.

He was outstanding in the few games I caught and he’s been my top target at the position for quite a while. Unfortunately, I don’t think his skill set would be maximized here with us and Tottenham would be a much better fit for him in their 3-5-2. I have no doubt he would be amazing for us but I think he would enjoy his football more in a system where he’s free to take more risks and where he would have better cover without being confined as tightly as he would be here in a more passive role. Real bummer too because I think if Tottenham pulls that signing off that’s quite the coupe for them.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

No reason we couldn’t get them both. Once Fernandinho finally leaves, whomever we do sign can’t play 60+ games a year!

We never replaced Yaya, and there are games where a solid two in midfield would suit the opposition, especially in Europe.

If we really do have designs on the CL, we need to firm up our defensive frailties, because we’ve been knocked out three years on the trot because we shipped a shed load of goals in a game against “decent” competition (Monaco, Liverpool & Spurs). You simply can’t do that!

Plus, giving two players a good rotation when starting only one of them is an excellent way to keep them fresh and on their toes, and available when the inevitable injuries occur.

I’d rather pick up Ndombele AND Rodri than another CB, especially with Otamendi, Garcia, Sandler, and even Fernandinho as CB cover for Stones & Laporte.

 

[blueparrot]

No reason we couldn’t get them both. Once Fernandinho finally leaves, whomever we do sign can’t play 60+ games a year!

We never replaced Yaya, and there are games where a solid two in midfield would suit the opposition, especially in Europe.

If we really do have designs on the CL, we need to firm up our defensive frailties, because we’ve been knocked out three years on the trot because we shipped a shed load of goals in a game against “decent” competition (Monaco, Liverpool & Spurs). You simply can’t do that!

Plus, giving two players a good rotation when starting only one of them is an excellent way to keep them fresh and on their toes, and available when the inevitable injuries occur.

I’d rather pick up Ndombele AND Rodri than another CB, especially with Otamendi, Garcia, Sandler, and even Fernandinho as CB cover for Stones & Laporte.

As both are moving this summer and Fernandinho isn’t leaving we can’t have both. We have got room in the squad to buy both this summer anyway.

 

[Plain Speaking]

As both are moving this summer and Fernandinho isn’t leaving we can’t have both. We have got room in the squad to buy both this summer anyway.

Rodri isn't necessarily leaving. That's the big question stay for an improved offer or leave?
Unless Rodri decides soon there is a scenario we miss out on both!

 

[ChicagoBlue]

As both are moving this summer and Fernandinho isn’t leaving we can’t have both. We have got room in the squad to buy both this summer anyway.

“Can’t have both”? Where is that written?!

As for the last sentence, I assume you meant “have NOT got room in the squad”??? In which case, I say “poppycock!”

Unless CAS comes to our aid (which I think they will, but who really knows?!) there is no better time to sign serious replacements for Fernandinho, Gundogan (out of contract same time as Ferna) and Yaya, who was never replaced! Not to mention, David Silva will be gone in the blink of an eye, too, even though everyone assumes Bernardo and Foden are his replacement.

For two top midfielders, with FFP sanctions looming, and the turnover we are about to face in midfield, THIS is the year to get them both and play them. As I said, competing on 4 fronts is very, very hard. Indeed, just trying for the PL & CL is virtually impossible in the modern game unless you throw the domestic cup competitions or always play the reserves!

Go big or go home! We need fresh legs, fresh faces, and the best players available.

 

[ADegenerate]

No reason we couldn’t get them both. Once Fernandinho finally leaves, whomever we do sign can’t play 60+ games a year!

We never replaced Yaya, and there are games where a solid two in midfield would suit the opposition, especially in Europe.

If we really do have designs on the CL, we need to firm up our defensive frailties, because we’ve been knocked out three years on the trot because we shipped a shed load of goals in a game against “decent” competition (Monaco, Liverpool & Spurs). You simply can’t do that!

Plus, giving two players a good rotation when starting only one of them is an excellent way to keep them fresh and on their toes, and available when the inevitable injuries occur.

I’d rather pick up Ndombele AND Rodri than another CB, especially with Otamendi, Garcia, Sandler, and even Fernandinho as CB cover for Stones & Laporte.

I absolutely agree with what you’re saying and especially regarding the CB but I don’t think that’s in Ndombeles best interest. Tottenham is the right sized club for him at the moment because he’ll 100% play and he’ll still have time for a bigger move next. Here he might fizzle out and be forced to move back to somewhere like Lyon and unable to get a big move again...similar to Memphis depay who’s done very well on his return to a smaller club (AFAIK).

 

[ChicagoBlue]

I absolutely agree with what you’re saying and especially regarding the CB but I don’t think that’s in Ndombeles best interest. Tottenham is the right sized club for him at the moment because he’ll 100% play and he’ll still have time for a bigger move next. Here he might fizzle out and be forced to move back to somewhere like Lyon and unable to get a big move again...similar to Memphis depay who’s done very well on his return to a smaller club (AFAIK).

It’s a reasonable point, but I think the top players realize that the PL is a grind, and being rested for a game or two, or even just playing 70 in one game and 20 in the next, prolongs your career, protects you from injury and doesn’t detract from your prospects.

Every top player at City gets subbed and rested. The level of sports science today almost demands it.

They are slightly different players, and neither of them is exactly like Ferna or Gundogan, but with a year to acclimate to the Prem, which almost everyone needs, I think now is the time to strike. We will never look more attractive and next years Pep will be entering his final contract year, so it will be harder to attract young, long time prospects on 5-6 year deals.

 

[ADegenerate]

It’s a reasonable point, but I think the top players realize that the PL is a grind, and being rested for a game or two, or even just playing 70 in one game and 20 in the next, prolongs your career, protects you from injury and doesn’t detract from your prospects.

Every top player at City gets subbed and rested. The level of sports science today almost demands it.

They are slightly different players, and neither of them is exactly like Ferna or Gundogan, but with a year to acclimate to the Prem, which almost everyone needs, I think now is the time to strike. We will never look more attractive and next years Pep will be entering his final contract year, so it will be harder to attract young, long time prospects on 5-6 year deals.

Great counterpoints and I can’t really disagree. I might be leaning a little too heavily on the business side of things but the allure of Pep hasn’t been as effective in recruitment as I expected it to be.

All the times we were ‘snubbed’ has been fairly surprising to be honest. It’s obviously worked out brilliantly for us and I’m not complaining at all but I fully expected the likes of Mbappe, De ligt, de jong, type players to be playing for us. Even the smaller ones like Alves, Laporte the first time, Sanchez, Sancho, Brahmin, or Jorginho aren’t even locks.

There’s obviously something up with that and it tells me that weekly wages and focusing on building your branding have killed off playing for ‘footballing reasons’ (if that makes sense). For that reason I struggle to see Ndombele accepting a smaller ‘role’ here where he doesn’t have as big of a personal spotlight on him as Tottenham and it’s the same reason why Sane will leave (IMO) and it’s also probably why Rodri is wavering and Gundogan is hesitant to sign.

It sucks but I completely understand it. It’s just a silly kids game and the money at risk now is absolutely absurd.

While we’re on the subject of branding. Look at what happens when our players do it...Raz was absolutely murdered in the media week in and out for years and Mendy is already completely vilified for it simply because of injuries.

 

[blueparrot]

“Can’t have both”? Where is that written?!

As for the last sentence, I assume you meant “have NOT got room in the squad”??? In which case, I say “poppycock!”

Unless CAS comes to our aid (which I think they will, but who really knows?!) there is no better time to sign serious replacements for Fernandinho, Gundogan (out of contract same time as Ferna) and Yaya, who was never replaced! Not to mention, David Silva will be gone in the blink of an eye, too, even though everyone assumes Bernardo and Foden are his replacement.

For two top midfielders, with FFP sanctions looming, and the turnover we are about to face in midfield, THIS is the year to get them both and play them. As I said, competing on 4 fronts is very, very hard. Indeed, just trying for the PL & CL is virtually impossible in the modern game unless you throw the domestic cup competitions or always play the reserves!

Go big or go home! We need fresh legs, fresh faces, and the best players available.

So you work out how we keep to 17 non home grown and buy both.Anyway it's not happening the club have no intention of buying both.