The Likely 25

Given
Hart
Taylor

Bridge
Kolarov
Richards
Zabaleta
Toure
Kompany
Lescott
Boateng

A Johnson
Silva
Wright-Phillips
Milner
Barry
de Jong
Toure
Vieira
M Johnson

Adebayor
Jo
Tevez
Robinho

Youngsters then include: Boyata, Cunningham, Weiss and Balotelli which comes to a total off 28, although I would personally keep Bellamy instead of Jo.
 
Project said:
Losing Bellamy makes sense if Mancini feels he is detrimental to his efforts. And let's be honest, he is.

Ireland makes less sense though. We don't need the money, we don't need the squad place (assuming nobody else is coming in) and he hasn't really been negative towards Mancini in the press. I'd feel a lot more confident with Ireland in the squad as backup/rotation to Silva than without.
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That's how I feel about Ireland also, particularly in relation to the need for cover for Silva. I'm not quite so sure that Bellamy is as much trouble as he is made out to be though. The thing today has only come about because Bellamy feels he is being forced out of the club in my opinion.

Anyway, I could understand using them as bait in other deals, for Dzecko and Milner, but selling them outside of those circumstances seems like madness to me unless there are more big name signings on the way that we don't know about.
 
depps said:
Project said:
Losing Bellamy makes sense if Mancini feels he is detrimental to his efforts. And let's be honest, he is.

Ireland makes less sense though. We don't need the money, we don't need the squad place (assuming nobody else is coming in) and he hasn't really been negative towards Mancini in the press. I'd feel a lot more confident with Ireland in the squad as backup/rotation to Silva than without.
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That's how I feel about Ireland also, particularly in relation to the need for cover for Silva. I'm not quite so sure that Bellamy is as much trouble as he is made out to be though. The thing today has only come about because Bellamy feels he is being forced out of the club in my opinion.

Anyway, I could understand using them as bait in other deals, for Dzecko and Milner, but selling them outside of those circumstances seems like madness to me unless there are more big name signings on the way that we don't know about.
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Same here, I would also keep Stephen, don't see the harm in it.
 
We all presume Robinio is coming back to play for us , i am not that confident !!
 
1) How many times has this been posted?

2) How many times do people need to be told that the final 25 doesn't mean 25 players. With Under 21's, such as Cunningham, Boyata, Weiss, Nimely, Balotelli, and Ibrahim, you've now got 31 spots. Hardly need a fire sale, right?
 
So I see Robinho making the squad and staying for the season. I'm hopeful
 
I would take Taylor out of the squad and just go with 2 keepers - come on here - the 25 man rule is until January - 4 months!! - and it makes provision for emergency back-up - especially for the keeper situation - I would put Taylor in the Europa league spots and he can be drafted in come January if there is a problem

I know it is conventional wisdom to have 3 keepers - but it is a waste of a spot for me - given the emergency rules
 
Squad 25 plus 6 under 21

"Home Grown" – 11 (h)
Not “Home Grown” - 14
Under 21 – 6 plus (u21)

Goalkeepers
Given(h?), Hart(h),Taylor(h), Gonzales

Defence
Full backs:
RB: Boateng, Richards(h),
LB: Kolarov, Bridge(h), Cunningham(u21),

Centre backs:
RCB: Toure(K), Boyata(u21),
LCB: Lescott(h),Kompany,

Midfield
Defensive midfield: De Jong, Vieira, Ibrahim(u21),
Central midfield: Toure(Y), Milner(h), Barry(h), Zabaleta,
Wide midfield: Johnson(A)(h), SWP(h), Weiss(u21),
Attacking midfield: Silva, Robinho,

Attack
Tevez, Adebayor, Balotelli(u21), Bellamy(h?), Jo, Nimely(u21),

Not included:
Likely to be sold: Roque Santa Cruz, Ireland(h),
Loan: Onouha(h), Etuhu(h),
Midfield:Johnson(M)(h), Logan(h), Vidal(h),
GK: Nielsen

Elite development – under 21 : (Combination of loan out and some limited first team opportunities)
GK: Karius
RB: Trippier
LCB: Mee
Attacking midfield: Tutte
Attack: Guidetti, Ball

What is impressive is the planning that has gone into developing a stronger, younger and more versatile squad. This is a squad that indicates a clear tactical shape that can change flexibly (4-1-2-1-2 to 4-3-3 to 4-4-2).
The number of versatile multi-position players such as Kompany, Boateng, Zabaleta, Milner, Silva, Yaya Toure, is a big strength; as is the increase in number of players who are comfortable with both feet.
Of special interest next season will be the development of the full-backs’ role; Mancini is obviously looking to very attacking full-backs modelled on Inter’s Maicon, with strong midfield cover (Barry, Milner on left; Yaya Toure, Milner, Zabaleta on right).
It would now be a lot easier to fit Robinho into the team, playing in the central attacking midfield role that Silva had at the beginning of the Valencia game (as would Ireland if he stayed), SWP and Weiss can also play in that role.
The ‘Inter Milan / Mancini’ formation will also bring out the best of the roaming Tevez, though Adebayor/Balotelli will have to be a lot more disciplined in playing the central forward role.
 
Roque could be off to Sunderland if they sell Kenwyn Jones to Stoke, so there's one off your list.

Also, as there is only us out there who can potentially buy players for mega money, the receiving teams want players as well.

Which is why I think Robinho will be used as leverage.

Today, we are being linked with Thiago from AC Milan. Whilst they are different positions, I am sure they would love to have him on their books.
 
GK:- Hart, Given, Taylor (Given might want to leave)
RB:- Boateng, Zabs
LB:- Kolarov, Bridge
CB:- Kompany, Kolo, Lescott, Richards
CM:- De Jong, Yaya, Barry, Milner, Vieira
LW:- Silva, Robinho (Robinho will probably never player for city again)
RW:- A.Johnson, Swp
ST:- Tevez, Adebayor, Jo, RSC, ???? (Bellamy wants away Jo not good enough, neither is RSC)

Youth (Dont count to 25) - Boyata, Balotelli, Ibrahim,

Assuming we sign Milner, Ireland, Bellamy and Nedum leave. Mario is under 21 so doesnt effect the 25 man squad. With Bellamy, Robinho and quite possibly Given wanting away its impossible to say what the final 25 will be at this stage. To me it looks like 5 of the 25 are still up for very real debate possibly 6 with reports SWP might be sold - not ideal a few days before kick off. I am sure most of use would rather have Nedum, Ireland and Bellamy in the squad vs Jo, RSC, Robinho. But there you go managers call.

Really I dont see why we need 3 over 21 keepers when we could have a decent under 21 for backup.....The other standout is Viera - we dont need him and he takes up a valuable squad spot.

I guess we will get a much better idea when the squad for Saturdays game is announced.
 
SkyBlueCitizen said:
So I see Robinho making the squad and staying for the season. I'm hopeful
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Hmmm he is too stroppy, I agree he will make the squad, but when he realises he is not top of the pecking order he'll be off. 20m to someone in January
 
Viera - we dont need him and he takes up a valuable squad spot.
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Trouble is Mancini needs him and brought him in if nothing more than a mentor to players he will be allocated a squad place 99.999999999999 % sure.
 
At the rate the players are coming out in the press we'll be lucky to have 23 eligible players in the squad, and thats assuming Robinho comes back
 
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