Not sure, but I think he only played about three games. I think he did get a MOTM in a league cup game though.
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N'Golo Kante
- Thread starter stan bowles
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Not sure, but I think he only played about three games. I think he did get a MOTM in a league cup game though.
Funny, you mention gulf in class between Nando/Delph and Diniho/Gundogan but the likes of Roberto, Vidal (not the Vidal), Casemiro, Kovacic, Hernanes, Pereyra, Sturaro are a huge step down from the players they deputise for. Again all the teams you have noted have 3 World Class/Great CM players supplemented by 2-3 good/average players, not 5 at the level of Diniho and Gundogan.
We need one more and that's what we'll get.
Disagree totally. We need two more. We were woefully short in midfield for the last two seasons.
I don't think Fernando is anywhere near good enough and I quite like him. Delph, again, quite like him but injury problems and brain worry me greatly.
As I say, I think we'll sign a Weigl or similar and perhaps an ageing player Pep fancies for a season or two.
Not sure, but I think he only played about three games. I think he did get a MOTM in a league cup game though.
Think it may have been that game. However, i don't see the point in playing him so deep!
Alaba is and was centre mid and captain for his country.
Lahm I'll give you, but converting the World's best right back into an average holding midfielder is hardly evidence that De Bruyne can do the same.
Fabregas was a total failure and it cost him his Barca dream.
My point, one that can't really be counter argued, if we swap Toure for Gundogan and replace a manager pretty blind to the stregnths and weaknessess of our midfield with one almost entirely dependant on a midfield we'll be short.
I expect another top level centre mid and one the Pep trusts, an Alonso type signing.
You're right, Mascerano had never played centre back, it was a choice based on Pep's knowledge of his squad. By your logic we'd be starting the season gambling with our midfield.
If after working with the squad he decides player X can perform to the required standard then great, if he decides youth player Y is as good as he needs then great.
For me starting the season relying on changing a players position is unnecessary. Why sign De Bruyne to simply change his position?
All Europe's elite sides including internationals have squads heavy with centre mids. Why do you believe we should buck the trend?
Fernando and Fernandinho got us to the semi-finals of the Champions League, in a team set up completely devoid of any semblance of tactical acumen by Pellegrini just a few short months ago. It's hardly a fucking gamble is it? Some right drama queens on here lately.
How do you know De Bruyne wouldn't suit playing in a midfield three? If he's playing a bit deeper it might give him a little more time and space in possession, with his ability to pick a pass it could be perfect. Until you try it you don't know if it'll work or not. He could become an even better version of Frank Lampard, timing runs into the box and shooting from distance.
blueparrot
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Look at it another way then, assuming we play a front 3 from Aguero, Sterling, Navas, Iheanacho and if targets are correct, Sane and Aubamayang.You're right, he could probably do a job.
But, this is my point. Other teams have specific experienced designated midfielders. De Bruyne and Silva have never really played centre midfield for anyone, let alone in the Premier League.
Nearly all top managers ask for two player for each position. 4 full backs, 4 centre halves etc. so if you're playing 433 as expected, surely logic would dictate 6 designated central midfielders?
And assuming De Bruyne was bought with Peps approval.
Where do you think he's planning to play him and Silva and Nasri? if it's not at the top of a midfield 3.
I expect us to bring in one more CM but also wouldn't be surprised to see Stones used as the cdm on occasion.
Look at it another way then, assuming we play a front 3 from Aguero, Sterling, Navas, Iheanacho and if targets are correct, Sane and Aubamayang.
And assuming De Bruyne was bought with Peps approval.
Where do you think he's planning to play him and Silva and Nasri? if it's not at the top of a midfield 3.
I expect us to bring in one more CM but also wouldn't be surprised to see Stones used as the cdm on occasion.
I don't know. I have real issues with our recent recruitment, I think Txiki is doing an awful job.
I've no idea how to get them in a balanced side.
Pellegrini an experienced successful manager had no idea either.
I don't think Silva and De Bruyne compliment each other in a balanced side. That's ignoring Nasri. I think Sane is a special player, but having him along with De Bruyne, Silva, Nasri and Sterling doesn't make sence to me.
For me, we don't appear to address our issues.
We sign ludicrously expensive players who don't necessarily improve us.
Was Mangala a good buy? Is Otamendi any better? Now we're supposed to have signed Laporte, is he any better than Otamendi?
We've spent £70 million on two centre backs in the last two summers. By all accounts we're about to spend that again on two more because they've been shite. Yet only £20 million on centre mids and nothing on full backs in the last few summers. Two areas of our squad we've grossly ignored.
Normally I'd agree you, adding three centre mids is too many. But we've neglected the Midfield for too long. For me, last season only Fernandinho was fit for purpose. You could argue we need 4 full backs too.
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Fernando and Fernandinho got us to the semi-finals of the Champions League, in a team set up completely devoid of any semblance of tactical acumen by Pellegrini just a few short months ago. It's hardly a fucking gamble is it? Some right drama queens on here lately.
How do you know De Bruyne wouldn't suit playing in a midfield three? If he's playing a bit deeper it might give him a little more time and space in possession, with his ability to pick a pass it could be perfect. Until you try it you don't know if it'll work or not. He could become an even better version of Frank Lampard, timing runs into the box and shooting from distance.
They also saw us scrape 4th. I'm sorry but Fernando is not good enough. In fact he's shit. His passing is woeful. He is so limited, I'm sure if I checked your post history you'd be like most City fans and you'd have slated Pellegrini for playing him in a two with Ya Ya, rightly so. But just think about that. Manchester City has a centre mid that can't pla in a two. Embarrassing.
I don't know De Bruyne can't play in midfield, you don't know he can. You have absolutely zero evidence to support your argument.
He's in his mid 20's and has never played there.
I honestly don't know what point you're trying to make? It's a bad idea to improve our midfield? We should persist with average players? Gamble on others?
My point was, and remains, I'd prefer to spend the fee and wages required to get Pogba on two more midfield players.
blueparrot
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It makes perfect sense in my mindI don't know. I have real issues with our recent recruitment, I think Txiki is doing an awful job.
I've no idea how to get them in a balanced side.
Pellegrini an experienced successful manager had no idea either.
I don't think Silva and De Bruyne compliment each other in a balanced side. That's ignoring Nasri. I think Sane is a special player, but having him along with De Bruyne, Silva, Nasri and Sterling doesn't make sence to me.
For me, we don't appear to address our issues.
We sign ludicrously expensive players who don't necessarily improve us.
Was Mangala a good buy? Is Otamendi any better? Now we're supposed to have signed Laporte, is he any better than Otamendi?
We've spent £70 million on two centre backs in the last two summers. By all accounts we're about to spend that again on two more because they've been shite. Yet only £20 million on centre mids and nothing on full backs. Two areas of our squad we've grossly ignored.
Normally I'd agree you, adding three centre mids is too many. But we've neglected the Midfield for too long. You could argue we need 4 full backs too.
Gundogan./ Nasri. New signing / Fernando
DeBruyne / Silva
Sane / Navas. Aguero / Iheanacho. Sterling / Aubamayang or somebody else
Much the same as Bayern played Muller behind Lewandowski and 2 wide players. We'll see but Pep knows best.
It makes perfect sense in my mind
Gundogan./ Nasri. New signing / Fernando
DeBruyne / Silva
Sane / Navas. Aguero / Iheanacho. Sterling / Aubamayang or somebody else
Much the same as Bayern played Muller behind Lewandowski and 2 wide players. We'll see but Pep knows best.
It makes perfect sense to you to buy a £60 million centre forward and play him out of position?
That's where we differ.
The hypothetical side you're suggesting doesn't make sense either. Sterling a £40 million player or Aubamayang a potential £60 million player?
Silva or De Bruyne?
How do you fit Gundogan, Sterling, Aubamayang, Aguero, Fernandinho & Sane in a side?
How do you get Mangala, Stones, Otamendi & Laporte into a side?
Fernando can't play in a two. We've no idea what Nasri will be like.
If we ever line up.
.....Nasri...Fernando....
.....De Bruyne........
Navas.Aguero.Sterling
We'll get battered.
As for perfect sense. Having £40 million sub wingers and having Zabaleta, Fernando & Kolarov still playing is perfect sense? Not for me.
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Every single thread degenerates into arguments, can people not accept another persons views? Christ it's like listening to kids squabble