N'Golo Kante

[fatbloke]

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.

I completely disagree, Pellegrini and his persistent choice of Yaya Toure in a midfield two saw us scrape fourth place.

Fernando isn't my favourite player and he is limited in some respects but his performances in the last few months, especially in the Champions League have shown that he can play an important role if needed. We all know his strengths and weaknesses, in a midfield three he is not a gamble.

My post was a response to your drama queen panic, the point being that you don't need to stress and worry if we go into the season with what we currently have in midfield. Would I like another quality all round midfielder? Absolutely. Do I think it's a gamble going into next season with what we have now? Absolutely not.

 

[schfc6]

I completely disagree, Pellegrini and his persistent choice of Yaya Toure in a midfield two saw us scrape fourth place.

Fernando isn't my favourite player and he is limited in some respects but his performances in the last few months, especially in the Champions League have shown that he can play an important role if needed. We all know his strengths and weaknesses, in a midfield three he is not a gamble.

My post was a response to your drama queen panic, the point being that you don't need to stress and worry if we go into the season with what we currently have in midfield. Would I like another quality all round midfielder? Absolutely. Do I think it's a gamble going into next season with what we have now? Absolutely not.

It's not a drama queen panic. We are woefully light in centre mid.
Was Mancini a drama queen when he wanted De Rossi and got Rodwell.

It wasn't Pellegrini's persistence to do anything. Delph spent most of the season injured. So that left three senior players for 50 odd games. This is my entire point. Light in midfield.

I pressume we'll sign one more top level centre mid, I hope we sign two.

 

[fatbloke]

It's not a drama queen panic. We are woefully light in centre mid.
Was Mancini a drama queen when he wanted De Rossi and got Rodwell.

It wasn't Pellegrini's persistence to do anything. Delph spent most of the season injured. So that left three senior players for 50 odd games. This is my entire point. Light in midfield.

I pressume we'll sign one more top level centre mid, I hope we sign two.

Woefully light? We have 6 full internationals who are more than capable of playing in a midfield three - Gundogan, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Silva, Nasri and Delph without mentioning Fernando or Byrne who I think deserves a chance in pre-season at worst.

If you have too many players you lose that team spirit and unity because some players aren't getting enough minutes and become disinterested. Not only that but it restricts the chances of youngsters like Byrne, the two Garcia's and Diaz, who all want and need first team experience even if it's coming off the bench for the last 15-20 minutes. There's been so many occasions this season in the easier games when a youngsters could have got minutes and we've put on Demichelis in midfield or Bony up front because we want to keep everyone happy.

 

[Metalartin]

Woefully light? We have 6 full internationals who are more than capable of playing in a midfield three - Gundogan, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Silva, Nasri and Delph without mentioning Fernando or Byrne who I think deserves a chance in pre-season at worst.

If you have too many players you lose that team spirit and unity because some players aren't getting enough minutes and become disinterested. Not only that but it restricts the chances of youngsters like Byrne, the two Garcia's and Diaz, who all want and need first team experience even if it's coming off the bench for the last 15-20 minutes. There's been so many occasions this season in the easier games when a youngsters could have got minutes and we've put on Demichelis in midfield or Bony up front because we want to keep everyone happy.

Silva, Nasri and De Bruyne are more CAM, a CM is a little more industrious does a little more tackling, turning defense into attack and spreading the play. More players of the Fernandinho and Gundogan mold I think is what some people think we need. Fernando I think needs more credit for the way he finished the season it's just a shame the rest of the team finishing so flat took most of the gloss off that, his tackling and passing accuracy had statisticians mentioning him at times, from a media that is so anti-city most of the time has to be a good sign. Still, half a good season since signing him is still a risk for me, he could still go backwards instead of kicking on knowing our luck. Delph too is another risk, we've seen the smallest of glimpses that he might grow into the team given a chance and some bad games too but most of the time he's been injured... I think at least one of them will have to go IMO to bring in some assured quality. Fernando's tackling and defensive positioning is more useful and different than what Delph offers but Delph is English which helps with the quota. Bringing some youth through would be great, maybe sign one CM and let them all share the other space to see who takes their chances best when they arrive.

 

[schfc6]

Woefully light? We have 6 full internationals who are more than capable of playing in a midfield three - Gundogan, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Silva, Nasri and Delph without mentioning Fernando or Byrne who I think deserves a chance in pre-season at worst.

If you have too many players you lose that team spirit and unity because some players aren't getting enough minutes and become disinterested. Not only that but it restricts the chances of youngsters like Byrne, the two Garcia's and Diaz, who all want and need first team experience even if it's coming off the bench for the last 15-20 minutes. There's been so many occasions this season in the easier games when a youngsters could have got minutes and we've put on Demichelis in midfield or Bony up front because we want to keep everyone happy.

Take it we're just guessing the likes of Silva & De Bruyne can play centre mid in the Prem? Because you have zero evidence to support this.

"More than capable" doesn't sound like a CL & PL winning formula to me. Especially as it's a total guess.

 

[fatbloke]

Take it we're just guessing the likes of Silva & De Bruyne can play centre mid in the Prem? Because you have zero evidence to support this.

"More than capable" doesn't sound like a CL & PL winning formula to me. Especially as it's a total guess.

If you're that scared of the thought of moving De Bruyne or Silva back 10-15 yards deeper then god help you fella......... and you said you weren't a drama queen.

We're talking about two of the most intelligent footballers about on the pitch at least, they're both experienced internationals, in Silva's case with 100 caps for the most decorated international team around over the last decade or so.

 

[schfc6]

If you're that scared of the thought of moving De Bruyne or Silva back 10-15 yards deeper then god help you fella......... and you said you weren't a drama queen.

We're talking about two of the most intelligent footballers about on the pitch at least, they're both experienced internationals, in Silva's case with 100 caps for the most decorated international team around over the last decade or so.

Yes Silva is indeed highly decorated, 100 caps for Spain. Non as a central midfielder.
De Bruyne highlighted last night just how much of a gamble he'd be in centre mid.

I'm not scared. I think it's illocical to have a manager like Pep and not have the required midfielders.

You've still not explain why we should 'make do' when our rivals will not be taking risks or gambling with the most important position on the field last night.

Spain and Germany have already shown the importance of controlling the midfield.

I really don't get your point, you'd prefer to try De Bruyne in centre mid, take him out of his own position rather than just buy someone for that actual role? If so, why?
I'm sure Pep himself could do a job in centre mid, but I'd prefer he didn't. Much like I'd prefer Silva and De Bruyne play in the favoured and strongest positions.

Be honest would you prefer;
....Kante/Kroos.......
Gundogan..Fernandinho
Silva...........De Bruyne
.......Aguero..............

Or
........Gundogan......
Fernandinho..De Bruyne..
Silva..............Sterling
.......Aguero..........

As Gundogan is still on crutches, that second midfield will be Fernando currently.
Sorry, but that's not good enough.

 

[capiloton]

Silva, Nasri and De Bruyne are more CAM, a CM is a little more industrious does a little more tackling, turning defense into attack and spreading the play. More players of the Fernandinho and Gundogan mold I think is what some people think we need. Fernando I think needs more credit for the way he finished the season it's just a shame the rest of the team finishing so flat took most of the gloss off that, his tackling and passing accuracy had statisticians mentioning him at times, from a media that is so anti-city most of the time has to be a good sign. Still, half a good season since signing him is still a risk for me, he could still go backwards instead of kicking on knowing our luck. Delph too is another risk, we've seen the smallest of glimpses that he might grow into the team given a chance and some bad games too but most of the time he's been injured... I think at least one of them will have to go IMO to bring in some assured quality. Fernando's tackling and defensive positioning is more useful and different than what Delph offers but Delph is English which helps with the quota. Bringing some youth through would be great, maybe sign one CM and let them all share the other space to see who takes their chances best when they arrive.

agree with you. City lack of Midfielder. i mean Center Midfielder.
Nasri, KDB and Silva are no CM. they're AMC/AML/AMR.
to rotate gundogan, dinho and nando, for 50+ game. it's impossible.
like you said, I left Delph out until he become reliable.
i'd love to see us signing Kante and Kroos.
imagine Gundogan, Kante and Kroos control the middle.
like Pep formation 3-3-3-1 at Bayern.

--------------- aguero
-- sterling ---- KDB ------- sane
-- gundogan -- kante -- kroos
-- stones -- kompany -- otamendi

 

[fatbloke]

Yes Silva is indeed highly decorated, 100 caps for Spain. Non as a central midfielder.
De Bruyne highlighted last night just how much of a gamble he'd be in centre mid.

I'm not scared. I think it's illocical to have a manager like Pep and not have the required midfielders.

You've still not explain why we should 'make do' when our rivals will not be taking risks or gambling with the most important position on the field last night.

Spain and Germany have already shown the importance of controlling the midfield.

I really don't get your point, you'd prefer to try De Bruyne in centre mid, take him out of his own position rather than just buy someone for that actual role? If so, why?
I'm sure Pep himself could do a job in centre mid, but I'd prefer he didn't. Much like I'd prefer Silva and De Bruyne play in the favoured and strongest positions.

Be honest would you prefer;
....Kante/Kroos.......
Gundogan..Fernandinho
Silva...........De Bruyne
.......Aguero..............

Or
........Gundogan......
Fernandinho..De Bruyne..
Silva..............Sterling
.......Aguero..........

As Gundogan is still on crutches, that second midfield will be Fernando currently.
Sorry, but that's not good enough.

So you think both Silva and De Bruyne are in their favoured and strongest positions as wide players? I can only assume along with the rest of the forum members by that statement alone you have never watched either of them play for us.

 

[schfc6]

So you think both Silva and De Bruyne are in their favoured and strongest positions as wide players? I can only assume along with the rest of the forum members by that statement alone you have never watched either of them play for us.

Don't be a prick mate, I've had a season ticket since 1988. I just disgree with you.
I believe Silva will play for us where he has 90% of his career. Excatly where he played for Spain. From the left. Is it his best position? No.

Hence my arguement, our recruitment is bizare and contradictory to our best players.

Silva plays best as a 10, arguably the best in the league. So we buy another one, along with a left winger who's right footed. Non of it makes sense. It doesn't balance. Silva has been in England years, it looks like he's beginning to struggle with the pace as he enters his 30's, so your solution is to put him centre mid in a team with a manager that demands a high intensity press??

And I don't watch games?