Summer Transfers

The need for a CB and Striker are dependent on whether 2 great City legends are leaving; if they are not then those positions will not need upgrading just yet.

Positions that need addition
Left back, Right back, Central Mid and Goalkeeper. Maybe winger

My Preference
LB: Theo, Bernat, Grimaldo
RB: Semedo, Perreira, Heinreich
CM:Fabihno, Wiegl, Dahood
GK: Moraes, Donnarumma, Rulli

Squad
GK: ?, Bravo, Gunn
LB: ?, Delph
RB: ?, Dihno
CB1: Stones, Kompany
CB2: Kolarov, Otamendi
DM: Dihno, ?
CM1: Silva, Gundogan, Delph
CM2: Debryune, Gundogan, Delph
AM1: Sterling, ?
AM2: Sane, Nolito
ST; Aguero, Jesus

From where I stand we need starters at Goalie, RB and LB. All the other positions are challenging the starter positions, and we should do so around the aging positions. So DM becomes th next need. All other positions are fine barring some marque exit.
 
@Dax777 I agree with you a lot. However....Delph i'd say is certainly leaving. Pep said as much. And if Fernando, Delph and Yaya are all leaving. I think we could be looking at 2 midfielders to replace those 3.

Theo looks fast and powerful. Reminds me of Bale. But not sure he is ready to become a first choice LB for a top team. Also think we will be looking for at least 1 left-sided CB. Kompany might stay....but the days you count him as a normal squad member might be over.

Agree on GK, but will be interesting to see if Bravo stays as #2. He was bought to be #1....and is probably paid like one. Would be an expensive #2. I would prefer to keep Caballero.

Also think Nolito could be sold. Don't think Pep likes him that much. Too slow and can play pretty much only on the left side. You can see the difference Sane makes. And with Navas leaving. Pep might fancy signing a winger who can play both sides to replace those 2. Or keep Roberts .This would also reduce the squad size. Which is good. Leaves more space for youngsters.

This is what i expect:

GK
RB
LB
CB
1-2 midfielders
Possibly a winger
 
What I think we'll go in for:

GK - Ederson Moraes (Neuer a possibility if that really was a come get me plea)
LB - So many options, Pep will find the right one.
RB - See above.
CB - Laporte - I think we could tempt him if we went back in for him.
CM - Again so many options, I think a realistic option would be Weigl (I know he signed a new contract).
Attacker - If Aguero goes.
 
Players I think we'll sign:
Ederson
Laporte
Grimaldo

Players I hope we sign:
Semedo
Bakayoko
Coric
Lemar

Out:
Navas
Willy (even though I think he's been better than bravo)
Zaba
Clichy
Nolito
Kelechi
Mangala
Nasri
Hart

New contract:
Yaya-1/2 years
Sagna-1 year

Line up 17/18:
Ederson
Semedo Stones Laporte Grimaldo
Bakayoko
Sterling KDB Silva Sane
Aguero/Gabby J
 
@BlueCityfan what did he say about Delph?

In general outside of starter needs, I tend to expect backup positions to be filled by loonies and youth players. So if we are losing say Delph and Fernando for me that means Zichenko and Garcia become key members of the core rather than buying. But say we lose Yaya then I expect someone like Fabihno or Wiegl.

Sadmy for me as far as CB goes, it would come down to emotions or building. The truth is Kolarov is a decent Leftsided CB. But if we get another then someone has to leave. And it can't be Kolarov or Stones. So its Kompany or Otamendi.

One is almost never injured, the other is a legend. I think Its clear here the legend would be moved on merit. But more likely than not both would be kept and I doubt well carry 5 senior CBs. I know Pep is cutthroat, but this would be tough.

Milk to and Navas being moved on I can see. But again this means another space for a loanie: Maybe Roberts.

I agree on Theo, I just like his potential so much. Theo and Semedo as our fullbacks will be something. If not, then sure Bernat will be my 2nd choice. Haven't seen enough of Grimaldo to judge.
 
IWasHere said:
Players I think we'll sign:
Ederson
Laporte
Grimaldo

Players I hope we sign:
Semedo
Bakayoko
Coric
Lemar

Out:
Navas
Willy (even though I think he's been better than bravo)
Zaba
Clichy
Nolito
Kelechi
Mangala
Nasri
Hart

New contract:
Yaya-1/2 years
Sagna-1 year

Line up 17/18:
Ederson
Semedo Stones Laporte Grimaldo
Bakayoko
Sterling KDB Silva Sane
Aguero/Gabby J
Click to expand...
Y
This means wed have taken 3 of Benfica's back 5. Highly unlikely
 
Dax777 said:
@BlueCityfan what did he say about Delph?

In general outside of starter needs, I tend to expect backup positions to be filled by loonies and youth players. So if we are losing say Delph and Fernando for me that means Zichenko and Garcia become key members of the core rather than buying. But say we lose Yaya then I expect someone like Fabihno or Wiegl.

Sadmy for me as far as CB goes, it would come down to emotions or building. The truth is Kolarov is a decent Leftsided CB. But if we get another then someone has to leave. And it can't be Kolarov or Stones. So its Kompany or Otamendi.

One is almost never injured, the other is a legend. I think Its clear here the legend would be moved on merit. But more likely than not both would be kept and I doubt well carry 5 senior CBs. I know Pep is cutthroat, but this would be tough.

Milk to and Navas being moved on I can see. But again this means another space for a loanie: Maybe Roberts.

I agree on Theo, I just like his potential so much. Theo and Semedo as our fullbacks will be something. If not, then sure Bernat will be my 2nd choice. Haven't seen enough of Grimaldo to judge.
Click to expand...

Pep on Delph..."It is for him to be fit, to see his level, then at the end of the season we are going to decide what is the best for the club, for him, for everybody." Sounds to me like he will go.

I also think we have too many senior players. But we need to replace some with higher quality. Delph isn't needed IMO. But Fernando would be playing a much bigger role right now if he was good enough. Especially with Gundogan injured.

I like the Thomas Lemar link.....versatile midfielder who can play wide or in the middle. Think he could be David Silva's long-term replacement if we get him.

I don't think 5 senior CB's is too many...if one of them is Kompany. Since he will probably be injured anyway. Also gives Pep the option to play a back 3 more often.
 
Do we really need a new goal keeper now that Willy has found his feet? I would not mind a contract extension. Willy, Bravo and Gunn would be okay for me.
 
Jazzman said:
Do we really need a new goal keeper now that Willy has found his feet? I would not mind a contract extension. Willy, Bravo and Gunn would be okay for me.
Click to expand...
Don't think it's as high on the priority list as full back on both sides and centre mid. That said, if we get a good price for Hart in the summer we should probably look to reinvest that money in the same position as presumably we've already earmarked funds for the other positions. I agree on keeping Willy regardless tbh, if we decide a replacement no 1 for Bravo is needed then Willy will make a far better no 2 than Bravo - he has a lower expectation of his place in the squad and won't block Gunn from the no 2 spot when he's ready as at 35 he'll probably be happy enough to start to drop back into the 3rd choice goalie/goalkeeping coach spot that Richard Wright occupied.

Actually, now I come to think of it, unless Bravo steps up enough to be no. 1 then we need a new goalkeeper, Willy at his age isn't acceptable as the no 1, there's no guarantee that his level at the end of next season will be anything close to his level at the present moment.
 
aguero93:20 said:
Don't think it's as high on the priority list as full back on both sides and centre mid. That said, if we get a good price for Hart in the summer we should probably look to reinvest that money in the same position as presumably we've already earmarked funds for the other positions. I agree on keeping Willy regardless tbh, if we decide a replacement no 1 for Bravo is needed then Willy will make a far better no 2 than Bravo - he has a lower expectation of his place in the squad and won't block Gunn from the no 2 spot when he's ready as at 35 he'll probably be happy enough to start to drop back into the 3rd choice goalie/goalkeeping coach spot that Richard Wright occupied.

Actually, now I come to think of it, unless Bravo steps up enough to be no. 1 then we need a new goalkeeper, Willy at his age isn't acceptable as the no 1, there's no guarantee that his level at the end of next season will be anything close to his level at the present moment.
Click to expand...
I was thinking we could stick with the current 3 keepers for 1 more season, in which Rulli have more time to develop and show us if he is a future option.
I would - like you it seems - prioritize our funds in the direction of full backs and centre mid, as it is there we have the greatest age problems in our squad. Personally I would let Sagna, Clichy and Yaya go at the end this season, and hopefully replace them with younger first team starters.
I would consider giving Zab another year, because he can serve as a backup fullback and can also do a job in DM in times of need.
Kolarov will stay I reckon, mainly because of his versatility. For me he becomes a backup centre back, who could also be a backup fullback if required.
I hope Maffeo will make it and become another fullback in our squad.
The question is what to do in the center back area. I don't think we are doing too badly there when Kompany is fit, but I would probably not risk that again. Stones and Ota is for me okay. Will be interesting to see if Pep goes looking for another CB.
So all in all I am down to 2 FB's and 1 DM, and we will be in a better shape :-)
 
Jazzman said:
I was thinking we could stick with the current 3 keepers for 1 more season, in which Rulli have more time to develop and show us if he is a future option.
I would - like you it seems - prioritize our funds in the direction of full backs and centre mid, as it is there we have the greatest age problems in our squad. Personally I would let Sagna, Clichy and Yaya go at the end this season, and hopefully replace them with younger first team starters.
I would consider giving Zab another year, because he can serve as a backup fullback and can also do a job in DM in times of need.
Kolarov will stay I reckon, mainly because of his versatility. For me he becomes a backup centre back, who could also be a backup fullback if required.
I hope Maffeo will make it and become another fullback in our squad.
The question is what to do in the center back area. I don't think we are doing too badly there when Kompany is fit, but I would probably not risk that again. Stones and Ota is for me okay. Will be interesting to see if Pep goes looking for another CB.
So all in all I am down to 2 FB's and 1 DM, and we will be in a better shape :-)
Click to expand...
Yeah a fullback on either side and a defensive mid who can play the pivot role well is exactly what I'd be looking for, I think bringing 4 fullbacks in at once would be unsettling for the entire team and also unnecessary - it not the age of the lads we have at the moment that's the problem, it's the fact that all 4 of them are that age, 2 at that age as back ups along with 2 younger lads would be perfect for squad harmony as well as helping the balance of the team.

I'd say it's a certainty we'll bring in a centre half as well though - first of all it seems that Guardiola doesn't want to rely on Kompany and secondly he'll want a passing centre half that's either left footed or two footed as the best possible fit for the left centre half role in a 4 and the leftmost role in a 3 - IF he chooses to try that again, personally I'm not too sure it suits our current widemen (Sterling and Sane) and I think even with new full backs next year I wouldn't drop either of those 2 to try it.

Edit: The unsettling part about the 4 fullbacks bit above - I don't want to bring in 2 first team quality players and 2 mediocre ones as it's a bit silly and we'd probably have to make promises about gametime etc that we couldn't keep to bring in 4 at starter quality which wouldn't be healthy for morale when 2 of them started feeling like they'd been lied to or weren't getting a chance.
 
Dunno if there is any truth in this.....


After having turned down rumours linking him to the beginning of a negotiation with Manchester City, which would have been led by former manager of his, Pep Guardiola, German international Manuel Neuer(30), acknowledged for several years, up to these days, as the best goalkeeper around worldwide (together with Italian veteran Gianluigi Buffon), is indeed becoming more and more of a main target for Premier League giants, much disappointed with Claudio Bravo's impact, and already determined to get rid of Torino loanee Joe Hart. Currently on a deal with Bayern Munich, which he's been playing for since 2011/12, until June 2021, former Schalke 04 star player is earning a 9 million euros salary from Die Roten; Barcelona FC as well, not thrilled with Marc-André Ter Stegen's reliability as a regular N° 1, might enter the race towards him. On his turn, Neuer, after having won any trophy possible at Munich, might be enthused by the chance of a brand new experience.
 
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