Summer Transfers

[Akiva]

The more I think about it, the more this summer's transfer window strikes me as critical like none other.

We are having our first major squad refresh, with accompanying exoduses, since before the Mancini era. But beyond that, last summer saw a number of key missed targets that ultimately left us short this year. The obvious examples of that are Laporte and Bonucci, both who pulled out of deals at the 11th hour. On top of that, it seems likely to me we were also banking on a number of other signings (Aubameyang and Kroos, both of whom would have been too expensive at the time) and ended up with comparitively very little in terms of solid additions for present and future (Sane, Stones and Gundogan being the three)

It's obvious what needs prioritising, Pep has said as much, but the urgency means that unlike many in the media I don't believe City are going to arse around with low-ball candidates or gamble on reclamation projects and/or injury risks. We have Pep and he's already endured a year with a squad largely unfit for his desires. With that in mind, I think people should revise their expectations and look to world class options in every category.

IMHO, we should be looking at;
Moraes
One of Bernat/Grimaldo
Laporte/Van Dijk
One of Fabinho/Heinrichs
One of Weigl/Isco
Bench striker (Llorente etc)

Obviously the most important thing is defense, but a long term replacement for David Silva is crucial and I'd argue the same for Yaya too. Weigl would be a difficult get, but Isco is likely and would be ideal.

 

[kenzie115]

The more I think about it, the more this summer's transfer window strikes me as critical like none other.

Says everyone before every summer.

 

[Akiva]

Says everyone before every summer.

Right, and I actually stated the reason why this one moreso than others:

We are having our first major squad refresh, with accompanying exoduses, since before the Mancini era.

But thanks for your input to the thread.

 

[kenzie115]

Right, and I actually stated the reason why this one moreso than others:



But thanks for your input to the thread.

Which included us signing Llorente, so you'll forgive me for not taking it seriously.

 

[Akiva]

Which included us signing Llorente, so you'll forgive me for not taking it seriously.

Oh, then maybe you want to respond to that inclusion (which actually was the only one listed as an example, not an expectation) and actually discuss why you don't like it, rather than trolling the thread with useless driveby comments?

 

[kenzie115]

Oh, then maybe you want to respond to that inclusion (which actually was the only one listed as an example, not an expectation) and actually discuss why you don't like it, rather than trolling the thread with useless driveby comments?

I'm not qualified to know who we should sign and I'm not a 15 year old kid who thinks football manager gives him the answers. I'll leave it to Pep and Txiki and not worry about it being "the most important window ever".

Your comment simply amused me and I passed comment on it. Surely you didn't expect everyone to love what you wrote? It's a forum, that will happen to you.

 

[Akiva]

I'm not qualified to know who we should sign and I'm not a 15 year old kid who thinks football manager gives him the answers. I'll leave it to Pep and Txiki and not worry about it being "the most important window ever".

Your comment simply amused me and I passed comment on it. Surely you didn't expect everyone to love what you wrote? It's a forum, that will happen to you.

Ah, so it was just a useless post that doesn't add to the discussion here. Cool.

 

[Cityfan]

We are having our first major squad refresh, with accompanying exoduses, since before the Mancini era. But beyond that, last summer saw a number of key missed targets that ultimately left us short this year. The obvious examples of that are Laporte and Bonucci, both who pulled out of deals at the 11th hour. On top of that, it seems likely to me we were also banking on a number of other signings (Aubameyang and Kroos, both of whom would have been too expensive at the time) and ended up with comparitively very little in terms of solid additions for present and future (Sane, Stones and Gundogan being the three)

I think last summer was a pretty major refresh, I am not sure what other additions we were banking on other than Laporte, Bonucci appeared an opportunistic alternative, I doubt our plan was to sign three new centre backs.
You list three major signings but I think Bravo was certainly intended as one, unfortunatley he has not really worked out. In addition Gabriel Jesus was agreed in the summer. Five major players for a team of eleven players with a squad player in Nolito and possible future players of Moreno and Zinchenko is a pretty major refresh and I doubt we will see a bigger one over the next few years.
Of course we need a bit more quality in at full back and possibly one or two other positions but I don't think next summer will be bigger or more important.

 

[Cotton Weave Blue]

Ins: Fabinho, Rose, Laporte, Ox.
Outs: Clichy, Zaba, Navas
Extension: Yaya

GK: Bravo, Caballero
DF: Fabinho, Sagna, Stones, Otamendi, Kompany, Laporte, Kolarov, Rose
MF: Yaya, Gundogan, Fernandinho, Fernando, Delph
AM: Sterling, Ox, KDB, Silva, Nolito, Sane
ST: Aguero, Jesus, Inheacho

I've probably missed someone but that looks strong to me.

 

[Akiva]

I think last summer was a pretty major refresh, I am not sure what other additions we were banking on other than Laporte, Bonucci appeared an opportunistic alternative, I doubt our plan was to sign three new centre backs.
You list three major signings but I think Bravo was certainly intended as one, unfortunatley he has not really worked out. In addition Gabriel Jesus was agreed in the summer. Five major players for a team of eleven players with a squad player in Nolito and possible future players of Moreno and Zinchenko is a pretty major refresh and I doubt we will see a bigger one over the next few years.
Of course we need a bit more quality in at full back and possibly one or two other positions but I don't think next summer will be bigger or more important.

I mean, that doesn't really disagree with what I've suggested.

Even if you count Jesus, that's not a major squad refresh when you've still got six or more starting outfield players who were there when we won the league under Mancini. No other top six club has this issue.

Further, the fact that Bravo hasn't worked out and Zinchenko/Moreno are playing poorly for their loan clubs, and thus years away from City first team, are only further evidence of the importance of making big signings this summer.