Claudio Gomes, if he was rated that highly, came to City at the wrong time.
He came as an 18 year old Academy player. He played for the U23, and this season at 19 he went on loan.
Young and experienced is our past Transfer strategy. We have assemble the necessary squad and are now moving to a new way of building our squad:
The Academy bieng the main source of the first team.
Our core squad: 14 outfield players.
4 Forwards:
Sterling (25) - LW
Agüero (32) - ST
Jesus (23) - ST
Mahrez (29) - RW
4 Midfielders:
Phil Foden (20) - AM
Rodri (24) - DM
Kevin De Bruyne (29) - AM
Bernardo Silva (26) - AM
6 Defenders:
Eric Garcia (19) - RCB
Mendy (26) - LB
Laporte (26) - LCB
Cancelo (26) - RB
Walker (30) - RB
Fernandinho (35) - RCB
And Madrid are developing their youngsters mostly on chance, and on loan. What youngsters that stayed with the Madrid first team actually thrived?
Rodrygo? Well he just got here this summer
Vinicius? I guess he's progressing ok
Asensio? Been at Madrid for 4 season(since 20yr old) I cannot even tell if he's a starter or a rotation player
Luka Jovic? no comment
Brahim Dias? No comment
Fede Valverde? Arrived at 18, and it just this season at 21, that he had his breakthrough at Madrid.
Odriozola? Bought last season at 22 yr old.
Dani Ceballos? Bought at 20 years old in 2017.
We are probably the only Top team in England that has a tiny Central Midfielder competing for minutes in the first team.
We are also probably the only Too team in England with a Tiny Spanish Midfielder sized CB competing for minutes in the first team.
You say Claudio Gomes came at the wrong time but this is the same situation with Kouassi. Do you really think he will get serious playing time at City next year if he were to join you this summer ? Foden at 20 and being probably a bigger talent has had roughly the same playing time than Kouassi, 17, at PSG.
City has an extremely high standard and Guardiola is quite demanding which means it is really tough for young players who have not already made a mark. Angelino, for example, had to be loaned out again after his successful stint in Eredivisie to get enough playing time. He got the same playing time between City and Leipzig than Kouassi.
This is why i think City is for players who have proven at the higher level but with room for improvement. It fits the Aguero, Sterling, Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Mendy, Laporte, Cancelo transfers.
About Real Madrid. Like i said, i don't think it is the right time either for Camavinga to join them. Imo, he should stay at Rennes since they even qualified for CL preliminary rounds. He is in his comfort zone, is guaranteed playing time, can grow without too much pressure. In 2 or 3 years time, he could then join a bigger team if he has followed his progression. However, Real Madrid can talk to him and say : "Hey, look at those two brazilian teenagers with barely professional football under their belt we just bought ! They got to play as soon as they came in. That could be you !" It can be tempting.
Asensio actually played a major role at Real Madrid but he got done by his injuries.
Luka Jovic. Seems like it was a mistake from him to go there. Benzema is still undisputed at the helm of the Real Madrid attack, especially with Zidane as a coach. They are waiting for Mbappé.
Brahim Diaz. He wanted to play for Real Madrid, prolly his dream, but a very bad choice.
Ceballos is done at Madrid. It is notorious that Zidane has never liked him and didn't want him. It was more like an opportunistic buy by Perez due to his low price and the competition of Barça. They will still get a nice profit out of him.
