Peps Targets

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I'd be surprised if Pep buys any 'established' players in his tenure (except maybe Pogba). From the looks of some of the names we've been linked with, he wants to go for young players who are 'mouldable'. This means they'll spend their formative years learning under Pep so if (when?) he leaves in 3 years he leaves behind players that are better tactically than their counterparts and going into their prime.
 
I wonder how far the line we are with deals for the summer? This summer will be crazy with the new tv money, new managers at Chelsea, probably united and Klopp will be given money at Liverpool. There is a small elite players market which means any top class players available will be pursued by Real, Barca, Bayern, Chelsea, united and ourselves. I hope that Txiki is already working with a number of deals so that before the window opens we've identified every player we need this summer.

Despite last summers big spend I have a suspicion that there will be another huge spend with an accompanying scramble to find new clubs for a few our departing stars.

Demichelis is going, Yaya will probably go, Fernando is a doubt as is Mangala, I think Kolarov will go and there have been rumours over of a move to Italy for Zabaleta, Cabellero will probably move for game time and Bony will probably move on and I think one of Nasri or Navas will go.

That means up to 9 first team players could leave with only Denayer likely to replace from within.
 
Thinking of realistic targets, ie. not the best Barca/Real/Bayern/PSG players, at a good age (ages below are at start of next season), with some versatility and without having to fork out fantasy money. I'd be looking to 'raid' 2 players each from Juve and Dortmund in addition to Stones and the return of Denayer

What is needed?
Defense: Another CB and quick technical fullbacks
Midfield: More ballplayers - Pep loves them and we don't have m/any. Multiple CMs are needed.
Attack: If your CM 3 is tasked with dominating the ball, your front 3 all need a high goalthreat. Kun and KDB have that. Sterling is still a WIP and will still play a large roll but it's clear to me we need a RW. We also need quality Aguero cover - something difficult to do unless you find someone with the versatility to play both RW and ST. I'd love Isco at City but he's no ST.

RB/CB:
(Jason Denayer)
Quick and has shown he has excellent technical ability.
Loan Return
Age: 21

LB:
Alex Sandro,
Attack-minded fullback
Age 25
Guesstimate Price: £25m

CB/DM:
John Stones
Ball playing CB capable of being moulded to cover DM
Age: 22
Guesstimate Price: £40-50m (could depend upon him handing in a transfer request)

DM/CM:
Julien Weigl
The Busquets/Alonso analogue
Age: 20
Guesstimate Price: £22m (quoted price 2 months ago)

CM/DM:
Iklay Gundogan
The Xavi/Alcantara analogue
Age: 25
Guesstimate Price: £20-25m (12 months remaining on current contract in summer)

RW/ST:
Paulo Dybala
Goalscoring wideman and perfect Aguero cover
Age: 22
Guesstimate Price: over £40m (They paid €32m + €8m in add-ons so we'd be looking at quite a bit more)


Eg. team:

Taking for granted Kompany is injured:

Hart
--Denayer---Stones--Otamendi---Sandro
Weigl
------Silva-----Gundogan-
---
Dybala----Aguero---De Bruyne​

Subs: Caballero, Zabaleta, Clichy, Fernandinho, Nasri, Sterling, Iheanacho​


In the event Kompany, Weigl, Gundogan, Silva, and Aguero are injured

Hart
-Zabaleta--Denayer--Otamendi---Sandro
Stones
-------Nasri----Fernandinho
De Bruyne---Dybala----Sterling​

Subs: Caballero, Sagna, Clichy, A. Garcia, Delph, EDS AM, Iheanacho,


Sold:
Demichelis
Mangala
Kolarov
Fernando
Toure
Navas
Bony


Just my 2 pence...
 
I'd be surprised if Pep buys any 'established' players in his tenure (except maybe Pogba). From the looks of some of the names we've been linked with, he wants to go for young players who are 'mouldable'. This means they'll spend their formative years learning under Pep so if (when?) he leaves in 3 years he leaves behind players that are better tactically than their counterparts and going into their prime.
This is what I'm noticing too: Wiegl, Sane, Xhaka, Laporte, Stones, Gaya, Picinni E.t.c

I think he is picking out the next generation of good players, add the above to DeBryune and Sterling. And you have a young nucleus of very talented players. Pogba being the most accomplished young star outside of Neymar.

Reckon we will not buy lots of big name superstars either.
 
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