Agree 100%...I've been saying the same thing since Zinny's move to Arsenal has gained serious steam...for the millionth time Cucurella has NEVER been viewed by City as a replacement for Zinchenko...either we bring in another back or promote someone like Wilson-Esbrand...
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Oleksandr Zinchenko | Joins Arsenal for £30m
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blueparrot
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Functioning ? Mendy can hardly be included since his first injury. I'd have to go back to Kolarov days.At the start of 21-22 season? And consistently right up until then.
He wasn't leaving when we starting pursuing Cucurella...You seem to have forgotten a Mr Ake is now staying
Functioning ? Mendy can hardly be included since his first injury. I'd have to go back to Kolarov days.
When was the last time we had 4FBs that didn't like olives then? Ffs, that's some skew.
The pursuit of Cucurella began as soon as the season ended...it was never connected to Ake or Zinchenko staying or leaving in any way...someone please show me when that was ever presented by the club...therefore Ake staying changes nothing as neither does Zinny leaving in regards to our pursuing Cucurella...City have been pursuing Cucurella regardless of Zin staying or going...if City chooses not to replace Zinchenko people can draw their own conclusions...
blueparrot
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It really isn't. We've managed for years with only 3 full backs available, no reason we can't do it again.When was the last time we had 4FBs that didn't like olives then? Ffs, that's some skew.
We're not short anywhere if we can bring Cucurella (or another LB) in.
20 man squad for heavy rotation as follows:
Ederson (GK)
Ortega (GK)
Carson (GK)
Walker (RB)
Cancelo (LB or RB)
Cucurella (LB)
Stones (CB or RB)
Ake (CB or LB)
Dias (CB)
Laporte (CB)
Rodri (DM)
Phillips (DM)
KDB (RCM)
Bernardo (LCM, RAM or LAM)
Gundogan (LCM)
Foden (LAM, RAM, RCM, CF)
Grealish (LAM)
Mahrez (RAM)
Haaland (CF)
Alvarez (CF, RAM, LAM)
Additional youth team players for occasional introduction / injury cover:
Palmer (RAM, RCM)
McAtee (CAM, RAM)
Kaboré (RB)
Mbete (CB)
Not only zero holes, IMO, and I'd back that squad against any other in the PL.
20 men for a typical 25 man squad seems pretty small.
I know we don't always fill the full squad but we usually go with at least 22 including CT players and excluding kids. As we did last season too, at least started that way.
Open to the idea of us going with a smaller squad. Argue quality over quantity too, but lets please stop pretending it is anything other than a small squad. Particularly when including multiple players that are down for 2 positions.
Pep and the club used to openly say '2 players for every position', not sure when it became 1 player for 2 positions myself, but in a couple areas that is currently the case.
All that said, FB is the only one that I see as a bit of biggie, personally. If we had kids with the promise (and it IS just promise) of Palmer or McAtee, might feel different.
It really isn't. We've managed for years with only 3 full backs available, no reason we can't do it again.
Managed, good word. And that wasn't through choice either, we didn't go into every season expecting to deal with only 3, would have sold or sent one out on loan if we did.
blueparrot
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We'll see what happens but if Zinchenko goes I only expect one left back to join. That will be through choice. If Zinchenko stays I think he'll struggle foe game time and a lot of the game time he does manage will be further forward.Managed, good word. And that wasn't through choice either, we didn't go into every season expecting to deal with only 3, would have sold or sent one out on loan if we did.
The pursuit of Cucurella began as soon as the season ended...it was never connected to Ake or Zinchenko staying or leaving in any way...someone please show me when that was ever presented by the club...therefore Ake staying changes nothing as neither does Zinny leaving in regards to our pursuing Cucurella...City have been pursuing Cucurella regardless of Zin staying or going...if City chooses not to replace Zinchenko people can draw their own conclusions...
While I agree myself, in fairness, we can't possibly know that. There is just as much chance the club knew Zinchenko would leave and looked at Cucurella in case that happened, as there is they identified Cucurella as an additional targeted player. We can read into it how we want to, but there is nothing clear cut.
Cobwebcat
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So if Zin stays you would not expect us to sign Cuc then because 4 is too many?We'll see what happens but if Zinchenko goes I only expect one left back to join. That will be through choice. If Zinchenko stays I think he'll struggle foe game time and a lot of the game time he does manage will be further forward.
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Gaz (FMwkdsoul)
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Peps taken a couple of the EDS full backs on the preseason tour. JWE & Rico Lewis. JWE probably the most likely but has had his injury issues last couple of seasons.Agree 100%...I've been saying the same thing since Zinny's move to Arsenal has gained serious steam...for the millionth time Cucurella has NEVER been viewed by City as a replacement for Zinchenko...either we bring in another back or promote someone like Wilson-Esbrand...
Cobwebcat
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That’s true but most reports seemed to be saying we were happy for Zin to stay and we’ve been after Cuc for what seems like ages!While I agree myself, in fairness, we can't possibly know that. There is just as much chance the club knew Zinchenko would leave and looked at Cucurella in case that happened, as there is they identified Cucurella as an additional targeted player. We can read into it how we want to, but there is nothing clear cut.
blueparrot
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I think we would still sign him because we want a different kind of left back , but I doubt Zincheko would get more than a handfull of starts probable a few league / FA cup games. He might be thinking the same which is why he's open to moving. I strongly doubt we'll replace him with a 4th full back. Might be wrong.So if Zin stays you would not expect us to sign Cuc then because 4 is too many?
Cobwebcat
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We will see. I’m not sure what’s going on either.I think we would still sign him because we want a different kind of left back , but I doubt Zincheko would get more than a handfull of starts probable a few league / FA cup games. He might be thinking the same which is why he's open to moving. I strongly doubt we'll replace him with a 4th full back. Might be wrong.
So if Zin stays you would not expect us to sign Cuc then because 4 is too many?
That is a valid way of putting it.
If Zinchenko was keen on staying, with 2 spaces in the squad and money there, I would think we would still be looking to add Cucurella.
If we had already signed him, before the likelyhood of Zinchenko leaving becoming apparent, I don't think anyone would think, we have too many FBs, we need to get rid of one.
Which then begs the question, why would you not replace an outgoing Zinchenko.
I get BP's and others' thinking though, and I think we have to very much be open minded to that being exactly what the club wants. Time will tell.
Cobwebcat
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Yeah it’s interesting. We have been linked with Sosa today with the report suggesting if we don’t get Cuc we will go after Sosa. Open the replies and every other tweet is “we need both”That is a valid way of putting it.
If Zinchenko was keen on staying, with 2 spaces in the squad and money there, I would think we would still be looking to add Cucurella.
If we had already signed him, before the likelyhood of Zinchenko leaving becoming apparent, I don't think anyone would think, we have too many FBs, we need to get rid of one.
Which then begs the question, why would you not replace an outgoing Zinchenko.
I get BP's and others' thinking though, and I think we have to very much be open minded to that being exactly what the club wants. Time will tell.
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Yeah it’s interesting. We have been linked with Sosa today with the report suggesting if we don’t get Cuc we will go after Sosa. Open the comments and every other tweet is “we need both”
A very similar situation, chances well are the club are looking at him as an alternative to Cucurella. I don't particularly doubt that myself. But equally, could just as as well be the club are looking at him to replace Zinchenko with a 10m profit, with Cucurella still the main target.
As with all speculation, Timing plays such a big part. But isn't always as linear as it maybe seems on the face of it.
Cobwebcat
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A very similar situation, chances well are the club are looking at him as an alternative to Cucurella. I don't particularly doubt that myself. But equally, could just as as well be the club are looking at him to replace Zinchenko with a 10m profit, with Cucurella still the main target.
As with all speculation, Timing plays such a big part. But isn't always as linear as it maybe seems on the face of it.
I think it’s only Neymar and the left full back situation causing much debate at the moment and the former is slowing.
God I’m boiling.
I think it’s only Neymar and the left full back situation causing much debate at the moment and the former is slowing.
God I’m boiling.
That is a huge credit to the club imo.
Secured all our main targets. Sold players on quickly for decent value. Extended a few key contracts. Sold on a bunch of academy players. Leaves only 1 player going into the season with only 1 year left on contract. Plenty of money in, room in the squad, just any surprise outgoings to deal with now (don't think zinch is a surprise as such).
So naturally, fuck all for us punters to argue about other than how many FBs do we 'need', is Palmer better than Messi, what do ItKs K, and what would we do with a problem like Neymar.
Happy days, all said.
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