Possible squad/starting XI next season?

[denislawsbackheel]

What about Mahrez?

FFS

 

[MCFC1993]

Goalkeepers
Ederson
Bazunu/Steffan
Carson

Right Backs
Walker

Left Backs
Cancelo

Centre Backs
Dias
Stones
Laporte
Ake

Defensive Midfielders
Rodri

Centre Midfielders
De Bruyne
Bernardo Silva
Gundogan

Left Midfield
Foden (may feature in midfield as well)
Grealish

Right Midfield
Mahrez
Sterling

Strikers
Haaland
Jesus
Alvarez

Squad Player (Can play anywhere)
Zinchenko


That's 21 players, not including youth players such as Palmer, Mcatee and Delap, to compete on 4 fronts we need about 22-24 players (helps if a couple are youth players, easier to leave out). Next season will be easier to keep everyone happy with 5 subs and 9 subs on the bench.

Before we even lose anyone, we need at least 1 full back (preferably a left back) with Cancelo having the ability to play either side and Zinchenko being an option in there. We also need 1 midfielder; an understudy to Rodri with Gundogan still able to do a job in less important games.

Then you factor in the rumours around attackers and we might need to replace them too.

Need
Left Back
Defensive midfielder
Replace any outgoings

 

[Sleeping_Easy]

There's been a lot of rumours around Mahrez to Madrid over the last few months. If he wants the move I think we should let him go for the right price. He's been brilliant for us but he's 31 now and the chance to secure a decent fee for him might not present itself again.

 

[Semper aggressus]

Apart from Fern who’s reached the time to go after nine brilliant seasons, I don’t want anyone else to leave. Our squad is too small as it is.

Haaland and Alvarez in, then we need a right back as cover for Walker, plus a back up defensive midfielder, maybe Kalvin Phillips, or someone from abroad.

We need to keep Jesus, Sterling and Mahrez, given we play about 60-something games a season.

 

[bluenova]

...That's 21 players, not including youth players such as Palmer, Mcatee and Delap, to compete on 4 fronts we need about 22-24 players (helps if a couple are youth players, easier to leave out). Next season will be easier to keep everyone happy with 5 subs and 9 subs on the bench...

Do you think that will make much difference?

Pep has coped by rotating between games to give players more rest, rather than using subs.

Not sure he'll change that, even with a five sub rule.

 

[MCFC1993]

Do you think that will make much difference?

Pep has coped by rotating between games to give players more rest, rather than using subs.

Not sure he'll change that, even with a five sub rule.

It will in the busier periods when we have a bigger squad.

Our lack of depth this year meant that in some games, when Pep wanted to change things, he couldn't as most of the lads on the bench needed a rest.

 

[cyan]

Goalkeepers - clearly Ederson is No 1. Steffen may feel he needs to move on - he should be first choice somewhere. And from what we have seen in cup matches - he isn't as comfortable on the ball as Pep requires. There have been good reports about Trafford and Bazunu - wonder if one of them is good enough to replace Steffen?

Full Backs - Walker, Cancelo, Zinchenko - I wouldn't be looking to move any of them on. But we need another left back, and Walkers injuries have shown we need someone ready to replace him. We have some promising youngsters but Pep clearly didn't feel he wanted to throw Egan-Riley into the end of season matches - but who knows after another pre-season.

Centre Backs - Stones, Laporte, Dias, Ake. - Wouldn't look to replace any of them - unless Harwood-Bellis, Mbete or Doyle are felt to be good enough to play the sort of role Ake has played this year and be trusted if there are the injury problems of the last few weeks

Defensive Midfield - Rodri - key to our style and tactics. We need someone to cover/challenge him. Sounds like the recruiters are eyeing up options.

Central Midfield - DeBruyne, Bernardo, Gundogan, Foden. there have again been rumours about Bernardo and Gundogan leaving - I would not want them to - Bernardo was our star player in first half of the season and then an important part of the team in the second - but if he really wants to head for the sunshine and someone is prepared to pay a proper transfer fee, then so be it. Gundogan showed yesterday just how crucial he is - but I could also understand if he wants to be somewhere where he is a regular starter. If either of those goes then Foden surely becomes a more regular central midfielder. And we need someone else who can step in there when required - that might be the same person we require as a defensive midfilder

Wide Midfield - Mahrez, Sterling, Grealish, they all offer different options and until Kakay or McAtee or Edozie are ready to replace them I wouldn't be looking to move them. Yet, I could understand if Sterling wasn't happy at his role in the squad and wanted to move on - especially if it was to experience playing in a different country. Same with Mahrez - he might fancy one more big move and if PSG were calling, he could be attracted. But hopefully Mahrez and Sterling fancy at least one more year with us feeding Haaland

Attackers - Jesus, Haaland, Alvarez. Clearly next years attack will focus around Haaland, that gives Alvarez the opportunity to quietly assimilate. the big question mark is over Jesus. He offers so much and of course can also play wide. I would want him as part of the squad - but would understand if he wants to go and be the main man elsewhere. If he does then we would need one of the youngsters - Palmer? to step up and offer the sort of hard working, flexible squad option that Jesus brings.

So of the current first team squad, I don't think I would be actively looking to move any of them on - unless they are unhappy/looking for a new challenge. We need a bit more depth - as this run in has shown. We need some younger players who in time will replace the thirty somethings, and in an ideal world we already have them. But I would be actively looking to recruit a new full back (ideally who can play either side) and a Box-Box Midfield player.

 

[kippax_blueboy]

Goalkeepers - clearly Ederson is No 1. Steffen may feel he needs to move on - he should be first choice somewhere. And from what we have seen in cup matches - he isn't as comfortable on the ball as Pep requires. There have been good reports about Trafford and Bazunu - wonder if one of them is good enough to replace Steffen?

Full Backs - Walker, Cancelo, Zinchenko - I wouldn't be looking to move any of them on. But we need another left back, and Walkers injuries have shown we need someone ready to replace him. We have some promising youngsters but Pep clearly didn't feel he wanted to throw Egan-Riley into the end of season matches - but who knows after another pre-season.

Centre Backs - Stones, Laporte, Dias, Ake. - Wouldn't look to replace any of them - unless Harwood-Bellis, Mbete or Doyle are felt to be good enough to play the sort of role Ake has played this year and be trusted if there are the injury problems of the last few weeks

Defensive Midfield - Rodri - key to our style and tactics. We need someone to cover/challenge him. Sounds like the recruiters are eyeing up options.

Central Midfield - DeBruyne, Bernardo, Gundogan, Foden. there have again been rumours about Bernardo and Gundogan leaving - I would not want them to - Bernardo was our star player in first half of the season and then an important part of the team in the second - but if he really wants to head for the sunshine and someone is prepared to pay a proper transfer fee, then so be it. Gundogan showed yesterday just how crucial he is - but I could also understand if he wants to be somewhere where he is a regular starter. If either of those goes then Foden surely becomes a more regular central midfielder. And we need someone else who can step in there when required - that might be the same person we require as a defensive midfilder

Wide Midfield - Mahrez, Sterling, Grealish, they all offer different options and until Kakay or McAtee or Edozie are ready to replace them I wouldn't be looking to move them. Yet, I could understand if Sterling wasn't happy at his role in the squad and wanted to move on - especially if it was to experience playing in a different country. Same with Mahrez - he might fancy one more big move and if PSG were calling, he could be attracted. But hopefully Mahrez and Sterling fancy at least one more year with us feeding Haaland

Attackers - Jesus, Haaland, Alvarez. Clearly next years attack will focus around Haaland, that gives Alvarez the opportunity to quietly assimilate. the big question mark is over Jesus. He offers so much and of course can also play wide. I would want him as part of the squad - but would understand if he wants to go and be the main man elsewhere. If he does then we would need one of the youngsters - Palmer? to step up and offer the sort of hard working, flexible squad option that Jesus brings.

So of the current first team squad, I don't think I would be actively looking to move any of them on - unless they are unhappy/looking for a new challenge. We need a bit more depth - as this run in has shown. We need some younger players who in time will replace the thirty somethings, and in an ideal world we already have them. But I would be actively looking to recruit a new full back (ideally who can play either side) and a Box-Box Midfield player.

Really enjoyed reading this, thanks for your balanced view. I think I agree with everything you have written. We have a great squad that needs freshening up. Haaland and Alvarez will probably need time to settle. We do need a left-back and defensive midfielder. Other than Fernandinho none of the other players are out of contract this season but Sterling, Gundogan, Mahrez, Jesus and (Mendy) are next season so if the club want/need to cash them in now we might see some moving on rather than being offered a new contract during the Summer. I can see Sterling and Jesus both being offered 3-4 year deals but not Gundogan and Mahrez due to their ages. These are the two I can see going in the Summer or being offered 2 year deals to stay. Both still have plenty to offer if they accept they are part of the first-team squad, not definite starters.

 

[Tolmie scores]

Apart from Fern who’s reached the time to go after nine brilliant seasons, I don’t want anyone else to leave. Our squad is too small as it is.

Haaland and Alvarez in, then we need a right back as cover for Walker, plus a back up defensive midfielder, maybe Kalvin Phillips, or someone from abroad.

We need to keep Jesus, Sterling and Mahrez, given we play about 60-something games a season.

Exactly that. This clear out idea of a squad that's recently won 4 titles is madness why not plan a tweaking project and not dramatically change everything that worked? Try and keep the best happy with an eye on the change of focus that a CF will bring. Tell the lads we will go for all cups that will mean 70+ games to play for all year - map it out, I'd suggest two tactics - false 9 when Haaland or Alvarez aren't playing. (Sad to say Haaland could be injured a fair bit) sell the dream to the squad and start that right now....C'mon City don't just sit back and let three months of chaos ensue

 

[peps bald head]

There's been a lot of rumours around Mahrez to Madrid over the last few months. If he wants the move I think we should let him go for the right price. He's been brilliant for us but he's 31 now and the chance to secure a decent fee for him might not present itself again.

Well he relies on his technical ability which will pretty much stick with him forever, so aging don’t affect him. Id rather let him stay and let Palmer be his understudy. He doesn’t rely on his pace, and has never done so even when he was younger in Leicester.