Summer Transfers

[Ashleymcduff]

Have you not yet realised,Hart is not of the standard we are at and say sorry for what exactly ?

Hart has had a horrible season in Italy

 

[Thenumber1blue]

Hart has had a horrible season in Italy

Probably because he's not that good and never has been.As for apologise to him,fuck me !

 

[Dax777]

We need balance as was shown earlier in the season when we were trying to shoehorn Silva, Kev and Gundogan into the same team and it rarely worked. I'd rather have a lad in the DM position who can control the ball and play passes to a higher standard then say, Fernando, so that they don't ruin the tactical play of the team or our ability to control a game, while also being able to fill in for some of Silva and Kev's weaknesses and protect the centre halves also. Dinho can do the first part but not the second, Yaya has successfully done both and it's improved the team.

None of the centre halves we've been linked with are what you'd call aerially dominant.

Not the same though. We easily could have played all 3 in the middle. The problem was forcing 1 of them wide where they weren't effective. It playing with 4 in midfield and 2 up top. Thus weakening the potential of our wingers.

And also in fairness, Sane hasn't flipped the switch yet. Which I think is a great reason we are so dynamic now.

I mean the notion of Yaya being a solid Pivot used to get laughed at all the time around here. I know this coz I used to be the one suggesting it would work and that our possession potential will blunt whatever defensive loss in strength that came from it.

Anyway, happy I was proved right on that point after being ridiculed ad nauseum.

Again I'm suggesting Silva or Isco will be even better than Yaya in my estimation. As they'd actually be slightly better defensively.

But that's all projections based on what I've seen this season.

As for our CBs not being aerily dominant. I'm not too worried. We seemed to hold up better than most teams in the air regardless of that fact.

 

[Dax777]

I currently think it would be borderline insanity to let Yaya go. I'd rather let Dinho go than Yaya, as things stand. We have Fernando and Delph who could potentially both be replaced before looking at Dinho and Yaya; although we do have to factor in whatever the homegrown rules are and getting the squad to be the right size, including some breathing room for the kids.

Could be a fascinating summer.

If Pep domes good on his promise to shrink the senior squad, then you can expects lots of players to leave.

It seems to me it will be a lot easier to achie what goal by letting all ending contracts expire. Assuming the right replacements are found. If we get say Isco or even Tolisco, Yaya leaving wouldnt be hard to deal with
In my mind we'll probably have
5 forwards
5 Mids
6 defenders.
3 Goalies.
Thus
2 strikers (Aguero, Gabriel)
3 Wingers (Sterling, Sane, Mbappe)
5 CMs(Debryune, Silva, Dihno, Gundogan, Isco)
3 FB:
3 CBS
3 Gks

 

[_OVO_]

To be fair, I think Silva is going to be the Pivot, but Isco can play it too. And might be defensively superior to Silva.

Also 1) Stones should be better 2) and Laporte would be the partner either based on my incoming.

Also I wouldn't lie to you, I'm not a big proponent of plugging every weakness. If we are weak in the air at DM but better at controlling play and creating chances because of it, I'm okay with that. What matters is what adds up to the best team.

I'd rather we strengthen what we are good at and become great at it. So make our wing play dynamic and scary fast - Sane, Sterling, Mbappe. Play smoother out of the back and our of pressure: Bravo/Ederson, Laporte/Stones/ Ota, Bernat/Grimaldo, Semedo/Perreira. Control and Creativity in the middle ( Silva, Debryune, Gundogan, Isco, Dihno) And technique and deadlines up top Aguero, Jesus

That in my mind gives us our best team.

I think we have to be cautious in summer with the way we go about the signings, e.g with a back line of Ederson, Semedo, Stones, Laporte, Bernat...or anything similar, we'd be devoid of top game experience and leadership. This is why I think someone like Bonucci would do more good to our side than a Laporte, but only if we could manage to get him at a decent price. He would bring experience and most importantly a voice in that defence, exactly what we have been missing since Vinny. Plus I think Stones would develop quicker with him by his side.

For no 6., I would like Nzonzi or Fabinho, the latter can cover various positions and I'm sure he could do a pivot like job that Yaya's been doing but with a better defensive cover to our backline. Gundogan and Fabinho for that Pivot position while Silva to slowly pass on the torch to Isco.

For rb, I initially was impressed by Sidibe but his performance the other night left me underwhelmed. I think we have been recently linked with Cancelo who I think I read is also on Barca's radar. I have seen few of his games recently and have been impressed with what I saw. So Cancelo as a main Rb with Fabinho to cover in when needed.

Ederson/Willy at GK
Cancelo/Fabinho for rb
Stones/Bonucci/Nico/Kolarov for CB
Bernat/young LB or Kolarov ?
Fabinho/Gundogan/Dinho/Silva/Isco/De Bruyne to cover the midfield, and Fabinho as a utility player to cover various positions.
Aguero/Jesus/Sane/Raz to cover front 3 with Isco as a backup Wing option.
I don't think we'll be allowed to do a double by Monaco, they are not short of money and they are excellent negotiators. So I don't think Mbappe would be doable. Also considering we have already invested in Jesus and Sane, I don't believe we need another project any time soon.

That makes it a squad of 20 with enough room for youngsters like Garcia/Roberts/Maffeo or maybe even Mooy.
Even after all that I think we'll be short of a backup LB as I don't think we have anyone suitable in the academy to fill up that role.

Looking at the players I've put up, we are looking at an investment of around 180m , make it to 200 at a stretch.
35m for Ederson
25m for Cancelo
30m for Fabinho
25m for Bernat
35m for Bonucci
35m for Isco

 

[Kompany is King]

I see Jack Butland is making his way back to recovery. English. Possible reserve keeper next season?

Be interesting to see what Pep does with the keeper situation & how/if Gunn actually gets game time in our first team.

 

[aguero93:20]

Not the same though. We easily could have played all 3 in the middle. The problem was forcing 1 of them wide where they weren't effective. It playing with 4 in midfield and 2 up top. Thus weakening the potential of our wingers.

And also in fairness, Sane hasn't flipped the switch yet. Which I think is a great reason we are so dynamic now.

I mean the notion of Yaya being a solid Pivot used to get laughed at all the time around here. I know this coz I used to be the one suggesting it would work and that our possession potential will blunt whatever defensive loss in strength that came from it.

Anyway, happy I was proved right on that point after being ridiculed ad nauseum.

Again I'm suggesting Silva or Isco will be even better than Yaya in my estimation. As they'd actually be slightly better defensively.

But that's all projections based on what I've seen this season.

As for our CBs not being aerily dominant. I'm not too worried. We seemed to hold up better than most teams in the air regardless of that fact.

Silva in defensive midfield would be fine when we had the ball, we'd see plenty of teams tear through him on the counter though.

 

[BongoCityzen]

IN:
VVD 45M
Isco 30M
Ederson 30M
Bendy 25M
Aurier 25M
Fabinho 30M

Total:185M

OUT:

Hart 15M
Mangala 15M
Nasri 15M
Bony 15M
Delph10M
Fernando10M

Total:80M


Net Spent:105M

 

[Keeper!]

IN:
VVD 45M
Isco 30M
Ederson 30M
Bendy 25M
Aurier 25M
Fabinho 30M

Total:185M

OUT:

Hart 15M
Mangala 15M
Nasri 15M
Bony 15M
Delph10M
Fernando10M

Total:80M


Net Spent:105M

Delph, Fernando and Bony 35M ? Good luck on that one, if you can get 1/2 that, I think you will get a call from the Sheik offering you a job as Director of Football.

 

[Dax777]

Silva in defensive midfield would be fine when we had the ball, we'd see plenty of teams tear through him on the counter though.

No more than they are doing to Yaya now. Who by the way is a far inferior defender compared to Silva.

 

[Dax777]

I think we have to be cautious in summer with the way we go about the signings, e.g with a back line of Ederson, Semedo, Stones, Laporte, Bernat...or anything similar, we'd be devoid of top game experience and leadership. This is why I think someone like Bonucci would do more good to our side than a Laporte, but only if we could manage to get him at a decent price. He would bring experience and most importantly a voice in that defence, exactly what we have been missing since Vinny. Plus I think Stones would develop quicker with him by his side.

For no 6., I would like Nzonzi or Fabinho, the latter can cover various positions and I'm sure he could do a pivot like job that Yaya's been doing but with a better defensive cover to our backline. Gundogan and Fabinho for that Pivot position while Silva to slowly pass on the torch to Isco.

For rb, I initially was impressed by Sidibe but his performance the other night left me underwhelmed. I think we have been recently linked with Cancelo who I think I read is also on Barca's radar. I have seen few of his games recently and have been impressed with what I saw. So Cancelo as a main Rb with Fabinho to cover in when needed.

Ederson/Willy at GK
Cancelo/Fabinho for rb
Stones/Bonucci/Nico/Kolarov for CB
Bernat/young LB or Kolarov ?
Fabinho/Gundogan/Dinho/Silva/Isco/De Bruyne to cover the midfield, and Fabinho as a utility player to cover various positions.
Aguero/Jesus/Sane/Raz to cover front 3 with Isco as a backup Wing option.
I don't think we'll be allowed to do a double by Monaco, they are not short of money and they are excellent negotiators. So I don't think Mbappe would be doable. Also considering we have already invested in Jesus and Sane, I don't believe we need another project any time soon.

That makes it a squad of 20 with enough room for youngsters like Garcia/Roberts/Maffeo or maybe even Mooy.
Even after all that I think we'll be short of a backup LB as I don't think we have anyone suitable in the academy to fill up that role.

Looking at the players I've put up, we are looking at an investment of around 180m , make it to 200 at a stretch.
35m for Ederson
25m for Cancelo
30m for Fabinho
25m for Bernat
35m for Bonucci
35m for Isco

Cancel is more of a dribler than a passer or team oriented player. But he is a bit like Dani Alves with less end product. So I can see it. But for my money I'll rather have Semedo or Perreira. Think they are both more complete and fit better.

If we are only going to take 1 player of Monaco, Mbappe gets my vote. He is the one most likely to become a superstar. Sure he may tank too. But I'd rather take that risk rather than get a solid but low ceiling good player like Fabihno.

Bonnuci we simply wouldn't get. And I'm happy about it. I think it would be a disastrous signing. Its a lot easier to defend in the Italian league and his co-defenders Chielini and Barzagli are equally as tactically aware. So take him out of the slower league and the luxury of being flanked by 2 tactically sound teammates, and I don't think he will be half the player folks think we are getting. Not to mention. He is old.

I feel your pain. I'm not sure who to get at CB either or who to let go for that matter. But I'm pretty confident Bonnucci is a bad call. I could be wrong, in not a tarrot reader. But the projection simply doesn't compute for me.

I like your Ederson, Bernat and Isco picks though. If we add Mbappe and Semedo to that, we might just have something. :)

 

[Dax777]

Delph, Fernando and Bony 35M ? Good luck on that one, if you can get 1/2 that, I think you will get a call from the Sheik offering you a job as Director of Football.

You can always hope for China! :-)

 

[blueparrot]

The way I see it next season as far as our 17 non homegrown it would look something like
(forget the names , I just shoved them in )
2 keepers Bravo Moraes
3 f/b Fabinho, Kolarov, Bernat
3 cb Kompany, Laporte, Otamendi
2 c.m Weigl, Fernandinho
3 att mid Debruyne, Silva, Gundogan
3 forwards Sane,Jesus, Aguero

16 That leaves one space where and who would people get. For me it would be a wide forward, but he'd need to be young and happy to sit games out, maybe Lemar. Unless we bring Moreno or Zinchenko back, then there wouldnt be a space.

 

[BlueCityfan]

Cancel is more of a dribler than a passer or team oriented player. But he is a bit like Dani Alves with less end product. So I can see it. But for my money I'll rather have Semedo or Perreira. Think they are both more complete and fit better.

If we are only going to take 1 player of Monaco, Mbappe gets my vote. He is the one most likely to become a superstar. Sure he may tank too. But I'd rather take that risk rather than get a solid but low ceiling good player like Fabihno.

Bonnuci we simply wouldn't get. And I'm happy about it. I think it would be a disastrous signing. Its a lot easier to defend in the Italian league and his co-defenders Chielini and Barzagli are equally as tactically aware. So take him out of the slower league and the luxury of being flanked by 2 tactically sound teammates, and I don't think he will be half the player folks think we are getting. Not to mention. He is old.

I feel your pain. I'm not sure who to get at CB either or who to let go for that matter. But I'm pretty confident Bonnucci is a bad call. I could be wrong, in not a tarrot reader. But the projection simply doesn't compute for me.

I like your Ederson, Bernat and Isco picks though. If we add Mbappe and Semedo to that, we might just have something. :)

Cancelo is a terrible defender. No defensive awareness whatsoever. Agree on Bonucci, would be stupid to get a 30 year old defender. Kolarov, Kompany are 30+, and Otamendi is 29. We need young defenders. I would personally prefer to sign 2 CB's this summer. I don't think Kompany has anything to contribute as a player anymore, unfortunately. I would also replace either Otamendi or Kolarov. But if Kompany is replaced, and Kolarov and Otamendi stay. I wouldn't be unhappy.

I like Mbappe, but not sure a 50m+ forward is going to be a priority this summer. If Isco is available for a reasonable price. I hope we are in for him. i think he will be the next Sanchez. In terms of going from a back-up player for one of the La Liga giants, into a Premier League star.

 

[Akiva]

Bonnuci we simply wouldn't get. And I'm happy about it. I think it would be a disastrous signing. Its a lot easier to defend in the Italian league and his co-defenders Chielini and Barzagli are equally as tactically aware. So take him out of the slower league and the luxury of being flanked by 2 tactically sound teammates, and I don't think he will be half the player folks think we are getting. Not to mention. He is old.

I mean, the only legitimate argument I've read on here against Bonucci is his age, which you've made, but it's a bit far fetched to suggest he couldn't perform outside Italy at the same time. Either he's young and untested or he's older and a known commodity, it has to be one or the other here.

For what it's worth, Bonucci wouldn't be in the discussion if Pep wasn't such a big fan and his defensive ability, while impressive, is secondary to his passing and possession contributions which are all but unrivaled in the position.

Further, I'd argue with a squad of young players it does well to have a few seasoned veterans as the anchor alongside them. I'm not saying necessarily Bonucci, but people here talking about ousting all players over the age of 26 are shortsighted and have little knowledge on how Pep likes to build a squad.

I like Mbappe, but not sure a 50m+ forward is going to be a priority this summer. If Isco is available for a reasonable price. I hope we are in for him. i think he will be the next Sanchez. In terms of going from a back-up player for one of the La Liga giants, into a Premier League star.

Mbappe is impressive, but he should be considerably on City's backburner given we already have an even more impressive Mbappe in Gabriel Jesus.

I'm with you on Isco, for all the question marks, he would make the ideal ultimate successor to David Silva and a more than workable current successor to Yaya/Fernandinho in the deeper role (though Weigl would be choice here if we got him) You'd need a clearly defined role and position for him to tempt him away though, which makes the issue complicated IMO

The bottom line is we are linked with an absolute plethora of players, yet again, and while there will be a mass exodus of older players this summer, I'm not sure City needs a radical overhaul in the front half of the park at all. I'd take an Isco and, depending on what happens with Aguero, another forward and call it a day. Meanwhile, I'd take four defenders, three minimum and a goalkeeper alongside a defensive midfielder or two. It's clear where the emphasis is going to be this transfer window and, with so much potential up front, failure to improve at the back would be a disaster.

 

[BlueCityfan]

The bottom line is we are linked with an absolute plethora of players, yet again, and while there will be a mass exodus of older players this summer, I'm not sure City needs a radical overhaul in the front half of the park at all. I'd take an Isco and, depending on what happens with Aguero, another forward and call it a day. Meanwhile, I'd take four defenders, three minimum and a goalkeeper alongside a defensive midfielder or two. It's clear where the emphasis is going to be this transfer window and, with so much potential up front, failure to improve at the back would be a disaster.

We don't need an overhaul up front. Sane-Jesus-Sterling is the future. And if Aguero stays (which i think he will). We can also use a front 2 of Aguero-Jesus. Or move Jesus wide with Aguero alone up front. So i'm not sure we need to add anyone, let alone someone of Mbappe's quality.

But we need an overhaul in our defence. With 3-4 new defenders to replace Sagna, Zabba. Clichy, Kompany. And possibly Kolarov/Otamendi.
And some tinkering with our midfield. If Yaya, Delph and Fernando leave. Agree with you on Isco. And i would also add another Pivot.

 

[simon23]

Full backs and a world class centre half are an absolute must......

And if Yaya leaves we need another world class midfielder....

I wouldn't be too concerned about the forward/attacking options at all but if Isco was available then Id go for him.

Sell Bony, Delph Fernando Navas Kolarov, Ottomendi and then we can start adding a bit more quality to the already real need mentioned above.

 

[City_Sean]

Spend the budget on defenders. We need them more than anything.

 

[toffee balls]

Full backs and a world class centre half are an absolute must......

And if Yaya leaves we need another world class midfielder....

I wouldn't be too concerned about the forward/attacking options at all but if Isco was available then Id go for him.

Sell Bony, Delph Fernando Navas Kolarov, Ottomendi and then we can start adding a bit more quality to the already real need mentioned above.

Kolarov is having an excellent season.

 

[Dax777]

Spend the budget on defenders. We need them more than anything.

Well once we buy 3 defenders and a goalie there still will be money for 2 more attacking players. Or at least 1. Best if that 1 is Isco.And if 2, make the other Mbappe.