Summer Transfers

[kun]

Ox for Nolito wouldn't be bad.

Yes it would. Not only is Nolito a better footballer, he's also not a crock.

 

[Cityfan]

Yes it would. Not only is Nolito a better footballer, he's also not a crock.

Slightly off topic but have we had any players who have not lived down to their reputation as being injury prone?
Off hand since the take over I can remember RSC, Hargreaves, Rodwell, Jovetic,& Delph . It is early days but Gundogan although possibly a little unlucky has not been a shining counter example yet, The only one I can think of that had a vague reputation was Lescott and that was from several seasons before he came.

 

[Dax777]

Yes it would. Not only is Nolito a better footballer, he's also not a crock.

I'll give you the crock part. But I'd assume Nolito will want to leave for where he is a starter, so it wouldn't be an either or. Thus we need not broach the topic of who is better.

Ox is faster, which means he is suitable for the wide position as well as been capable of playing CM or DM. Also has the benefit of being a technically sound English player..

Being injury prone is a downer, otherwise he'd be a good role player.

 

[Dax777]

Slightly off topic but have we had any players who have not lived down to their reputation as being injury prone?
Off hand since the take over I can remember RSC, Hargreaves, Rodwell, Jovetic,& Delph . It is early days but Gundogan although possibly a little unlucky has not been a shining counter example yet, The only one I can think of that had a vague reputation was Lescott and that was from several seasons before he came.

Add Kompany to that list. None has outplayed their label yet :(

 

[IWasHere]

Just based on the latest rumours you'd expect something like this:

Bravo >>> Ederson
Willy >>> Willy
Gunn >>> Gunn


Sagna >>> Henrichs
Zabaleta >>> Maffeo


Stones >>> Stones
Otamendi >>> Laporte
Kompany >>> Kompany
Tosin >>> Tosin


Kolarov >>> Kolasinac
Clichy >>> Grimaldo


Yaya >>> Fabinho
Fernandinho >>> Fernandinho
Fernando >>> Dahoud
Delph >>> Isco
Silva >>> Silva
Gundogan >>> Gundogan
KDB >>> KDB
A. Garcia >>> A. Garcia


Sterling >>> Sterling
Navas >>> Roberts
Sané >>> Sané
Nolito >>>


Aguero >>> Aguero
Jesus >>> Jesus
Iheanacho >>> Iheanacho

That would be 17 foreign players and 8 HG players (3 association trained - Roberts, Sterling, Stones).

8 new signings + 2 returning loanees, 10 leaving.

The problem is, aside from the feasibility of the transfer fees - would these players join us? Would Dahoud want to come if we're going to get Isco and Fabinho in midfield already? Would Grimaldo want to come if we're getting Kolasinac?

How do you keep 6 midfielders who would genuinely expect to start every game happy with 3 spots open?

That's a good shout tbf. I'd also add:

Mbappe > Nolito
Unal > Iheanacho

Something tells me aguero might get sold as well for some reason

 

[Cityfan]

Add Kompany to that list. None has outplayed their label yet :(

Yep, I was wondering whether to include Vinnie and though I agree his injuries have been a problem overall we have had great value from him despite his injuries unlike the others.

 

[IWasHere]

By "relatively happy" I'm going to assume you mean some were happy. Coz Gotze sure wasn't.

And even then Thiago and Martinez were injured a lot. So you really had 4/5 guys for 3/4 positions a majority of the time. And Gotze still was getting screwed.

Even though I agree we will have injuries and should probably prepare well for its eventuality. The idea of having 8 starting caliber CMs strike me as unworkable.

Garcia on the other hand is actually a key need. Coz he is the one guy you can give little CL and league starting time to and mostly save him.for cups and the injury crunch period.

The others you'd have to give consistent time. Sure Fabihno will be at RB but for the 3 middle spots you have Silva,Dihno, Kevin, Ilkay and Dahood. 5 key guys for 3 spots. Even if Dihno spends all his time at CB, so long as no one is injured, there are still 4 starters for 3 spots. Excluding Dihno, Fabihno, and Garcia.

Its seems a hard sell the idea of now adding Isco to that group. Even if Kev is a Tweener. Is it Doable? Sure. But highly improbable.

If dinho stays he'll probably play as a backup right back (assuming we get fabinho). Gundogan will be first choice next season, (whilst, say dahoud or any other centre mid we might potentially get will rotate with him) and that leaves 3 players fighting for 2 positions, KDB/Silva/Isco (assuming we get isco).

 

[Dax777]

At the start of next season, if this is the squad we have, ill be more than pleased.

Attack
Sterling, 23, Sane 21, Coman 21, Jesus 20

Midfield:
Dihno 32, Silva 31, Gundogan 26, Debryune 26, Isco 25, Dahood 21, Garcia 20

Defense
Kolarov 31, Otamendi 29, Fabihno 23, Stones 22, Grimaldo 21, Heinrich 20, Maffeo 19,

Goalie
Bravo 34, Ederson 23, Gunn 21

16 foreign players plus 4 English players. And supplement with the youth team

 

[Kompany is King]

Think we will buy a wide player. Competition needed & to cope with loss of form/injury.

 

[citizens_1976]

At the start of next season, if this is the squad we have, ill be more than pleased.

Attack
Sterling, 23, Sane 21, Coman 21, Jesus 20

Midfield:
Dihno 32, Silva 31, Gundogan 26, Debryune 26, Isco 25, Dahood 21, Garcia 20

Defense
Kolarov 31, Otamendi 29, Fabihno 23, Stones 22, Grimaldo 21, Heinrich 20, Maffeo 19,

Goalie
Bravo 34, Ederson 23, Gunn 21

16 foreign players plus 4 English players. And supplement with the youth team

Selling Aguero would be a travesty.

 

[blueparrot]

At the start of next season, if this is the squad we have, ill be more than pleased.

Attack
Sterling, 23, Sane 21, Coman 21, Jesus 20

Midfield:
Dihno 32, Silva 31, Gundogan 26, Debryune 26, Isco 25, Dahood 21, Garcia 20

Defense
Kolarov 31, Otamendi 29, Fabihno 23, Stones 22, Grimaldo 21, Heinrich 20, Maffeo 19,

Goalie
Bravo 34, Ederson 23, Gunn 21

16 foreign players plus 4 English players. And supplement with the youth team

Agree almost entirely, except replacing Aguero with Coman, if we missed Jesus who'd be our goalscorer., Would rather have no Coman keep Aguero and add another centre back.

 

[aguero93:20]

At the start of next season, if this is the squad we have, ill be more than pleased.

Attack
Sterling, 23, Sane 21, Coman 21, Jesus 20

Midfield:
Dihno 32, Silva 31, Gundogan 26, Debryune 26, Isco 25, Dahood 21, Garcia 20

Defense
Kolarov 31, Otamendi 29, Fabihno 23, Stones 22, Grimaldo 21, Heinrich 20, Maffeo 19,

Goalie
Bravo 34, Ederson 23, Gunn 21

16 foreign players plus 4 English players. And supplement with the youth team

That squad is desperately in need of a top centre half and a 25 goal a season striker.

 

[Dax777]

Selling Aguero would be a travesty.

True. I just don't see how he plays as a backup.

 

[Dax777]

That squad is desperately in need of a top centre half and a 25 goal a season striker.

At a push I'd get Vlad Chiriches as the 4th CB. As for striker, I really don't have anyone in mind. Might think a bit more. Even though I sense the team as is will rise to the occasion

 

[Dax777]

Agree almost entirely, except replacing Aguero with Coman, if we missed Jesus who'd be our goalscorer., Would rather have no Coman keep Aguero and add another centre back.

I'd rather keep Aguero too. But I don't think he'll be a starter next season and. I don't think he'll take a backup role.

 

[Manchester_lalala]

At a push I'd get Vlad Chiriches as the 4th CB. As for striker, I really don't have anyone in mind. Might think a bit more. Even though I sense the team as is will rise to the occasion

Sometimes I don't know weather if you're joking or not. Chiriches is gash, not anywhere near good for us. That squad is good but like said, it's in desperate need of a quality centre back.

 

[Dax777]

Sometimes I don't know weather if you're joking or not. Chiriches is gash, not anywhere near good for us. That squad is good but like said, it's in desperate need of a quality centre back.

I disagree. I think our Centerbacks are pretty good. Chiriches is a fantastic ball playing CB. A bit rash like Otamendi, but great on the ball and in the tackle. As a backup to Stones and Ota, he'll be totally great.

Unlike most, I disagree we need a Center back. It is probably the strongest position on the squad. Ota, John and Kola are 3 solid CBs. Maybe a young Athletic CB to groom might work, but for my money, ill take one of the better ball playing CBs in Europe in Chiriches to backup the position..

 

[citizens_1976]

True. I just don't see how he plays as a backup.

Yeah, I think wherever Aguero is, he wants to be the main man and not playing as a rotational squad player. I would never sell him, he is simply world class and players like him are very hard to find.

 

[citizens_1976]

I disagree. I think our Centerbacks are pretty good. Chiriches is a fantastic ball playing CB. A bit rash like Otamendi, but great on the ball and in the tackle. As a backup to Stones and Ota, he'll be totally great.

Unlike most, I disagree we need a Center back. It is probably the strongest position on the squad. Ota, John and Kola are 3 solid CBs. Maybe a young Athletic CB to groom might work, but for my money, ill take one of the better ball playing CBs in Europe in Chiriches to backup the position..

You can have ball playing centre backs all day every day, but if a team lacks real leadership at the back, then as a club you will never win titles. Barcelona had that with Puyol, Real Madrid have that with Ramos, Bayern have that with Boateng and Hummels.

City lack a leader at the back, they lack assurance and it is clear to see when we play against direct teams who like to hit us on the break at speed, we are all at sea and the communication and organisation is all over the place. Kolarov lacks concentration, Stones is too nice and needs to toughen up and start growing into a leader at this club and Otamendi is on the floor diving in more than the grass itself. For me, we need a commander at the back to provide that presence and that assurance for other players to look up to. Its all well and good having pretty footballers, but you need character and real grit to fight towards titles every other season.

I feel Bonucci and Van Dijk would provide that for us. Bonucci for his experience and composure, Van Dijk for his commanding and imposing physical presence.

 

[citizens_1976]

At a push I'd get Vlad Chiriches as the 4th CB. As for striker, I really don't have anyone in mind. Might think a bit more. Even though I sense the team as is will rise to the occasion

Griezmann, Aubameyang, Lacazette, Dybala, Belotti. Plenty of options although I wouldn't want any of them over Aguero.