The rebuild has started. Who goes?

[madloaf]

Ederson - Keep
Ortega - Let Go
Carson - Keep

Walker - Let Go
Dias - Keep
Stones - Keep
Akanji - Let Go
Ake - Keep
Gvardiol -Keep
Khusanov - Keep
Reis - Keep
Wilson-Esbrand - Loan
Simpson-Pusey - Loan
Doyle - Loan
Braithwaite - Loan

Rodri - Keep
Gonzalez - Keep
Lewis - Keep
Nunes - Keep
Kovacic - Let go
De Bruyne - Let go (build a statue of his pass v Villa)
Bernardo - Keep
Gundogan - Let Go (build a statue of him getting on the end of that pass v Villa)
Foden - Keep
Grealish - Keep
Doku - Loan
Savinho - Keep
Bobb - Keep
McAtee - Let Go
Perrone - Let Go
Philips - Let Go
O'Reilly - Keep

Haaland - Keep
Marmoush - Keep
Claudio Echeverri - Keep
Mubama - Keep
Kayky - Lol

 

[Man_City_Loyal]

"Doku - Hit & miss player, reminds me too much of Siberiski"

He is.

 

[noseve]

Why are you as a Southampton fan on a City forum talking about our rebuild? Or are you just based in Southampton and have a poor attention to detail, which explains why you don't see merit in having a squad with players who aren't necessarily world class but will knuckle down and do their best on the pitch. Pep isn't flawless but singling out Nunes for criticism in a season where nearly everyone has been absolutely shite and, when played where he's more comfortable, he's been pretty good is ridiculous.

You've researched me? Sad, yet classic :-)

Well, you brought it up, so here you go:
Cue - the abuse...
It's true, I do live in Southampton.
The first match I ever watched on MOTD involved Man City and I was mesmerised by Colin Bell. It seemed like there were 4 of him on the pitch. I was so young that I didn't even know Southampton had a team (some might say so what's new?) and so my first kit was Man City , No. 8 of course. When I found out that Saints existed, and was told that I 'should' support them, it was as near an identity crisis as any 7-year-old could have. I was gradually weaned onto Saints, but have always followed City and resumed full fan status again (before the first title) when Saints were in League 1 and there seemed little chance of them ever meeting again outside of cup ties, so no conflict.
Plenty of lower-league supporters also have a top-4 favourite, as it makes the PL a bloody sight more interesting, when viewed from such a distance.

I derived as much pleasure from seeing Mancini stuff it RIGHT UP the reds as anybody else on here!
I'm now too old and too ugly to hide the fact that I look for two team's results - but genuinely I still look to City first, as I did as a kid in the 1960s.

So, unless the mods hoick me off, I shall assume that I'm entitled to stay on here.

Coming back to Nunes - if I can accept that even KDB (my favourite player for years) can't defy age, and doesn't really deserve a place in the starting line up - then I can certainly comment upon Nunes, considering his catalogue of errors. He'd no doubt improve Saints, but this is CITY - a different level.

**Actually** - intrigued by your reasoning - so people from Southampton have a poor attention to detail, do they? you'll have to explain that one ;-l

 

[waspish]

Changed my mind no one to go unless they want to! Want to ease our new players in to the side all next season while rotating the likes of Kdb gundogan Grealish Silva stones Ake and Kovacic! Want our bench to be stacked with new players or experienced

 

[supercity88]

You've researched me? Sad, yet classic :-)

Well, you brought it up, so here you go:
Cue - the abuse...
It's true, I do live in Southampton.
The first match I ever watched on MOTD involved Man City and I was mesmerised by Colin Bell. It seemed like there were 4 of him on the pitch. I was so young that I didn't even know Southampton had a team (some might say so what's new?) and so my first kit was Man City , No. 8 of course. When I found out that Saints existed, and was told that I 'should' support them, it was as near an identity crisis as any 7-year-old could have. I was gradually weaned onto Saints, but have always followed City and resumed full fan status again (before the first title) when Saints were in League 1 and there seemed little chance of them ever meeting again outside of cup ties, so no conflict.
Plenty of lower-league supporters also have a top-4 favourite, as it makes the PL a bloody sight more interesting, when viewed from such a distance.

I derived as much pleasure from seeing Mancini stuff it RIGHT UP the reds as anybody else on here!
I'm now too old and too ugly to hide the fact that I look for two team's results - but genuinely I still look to City first, as I did as a kid in the 1960s.

So, unless the mods hoick me off, I shall assume that I'm entitled to stay on here.

Coming back to Nunes - if I can accept that even KDB (my favourite player for years) can't defy age, and doesn't really deserve a place in the starting line up - then I can certainly comment upon Nunes, considering his catalogue of errors. He'd no doubt improve Saints, but this is CITY - a different level.

**Actually** - intrigued by your reasoning - so people from Southampton have a poor attention to detail, do they? you'll have to explain that one ;-l

If by research you mean I saw your name (written to the side of your post) and saw you put Southampton as team supported... then yes. And I was thorough. I wouldn't generalise to all people from Southampton having a poor attention to detail but I think you've proven you do now.

But I'm not here for personal insults. And I don't mind if you support City and Southampton as odd as that is. You at least could enjoy the last game at Maine Road more than a lot of us result wise.

As per my original post, I said Nunes stays but simply as a squad option to fill in wherever we need him to if players are injured or need a rest. It's vital the squad has cover, it's what we've lacked this season. You don't need 18 world class players. We've had plenty in previous seasons who did a job for us when others needed resting. It's not football manager, we can't just sell/terminate contracts for 8 players and then buy a whole new squad, and we wouldn't want to. This squad is full of talented players and I believe the majority will get back to previous levels in a squad that has the right amount of cover in the right areas. Nunes will be phased out naturally, because he isn't good enough to start consistently and then we'll sell him/let him leave. But I don't believe we'll do that in the summer unless he pushes for an exit.

 

[Keeper!]

He is.

Siberski, the finest header of a footballer in the history of the game but sadly had a head the shape of a threepenny bit.

Doku is incredibly talented, way ahead of Siberski , is he good enough for an elite team, jury out for me.

 

[Crooked_rain]

I think KDB will go at the end of the season. I wouldn't be surprised to see Bernado go either. Gundo needs to hang his boots up.

Hopefully Stones stays and can stay fit, but he's got a very poor injury record that isn't gonna get any better in his 30s. I reckon he's only got a season or two at best here.

I think Grealish may be off. Seems to be getting left out more and more. Unless he gets a chance and hits some form, then I reckon his days are numbered. Probably more likely on loan though.

 

[eastmanc]

I think the summary of your post would be: "great player, poor form".

You don't get rid of someone under those conditions

Form is temporary class is permanent.

 

[Man_City_Loyal]

Siberski, the finest header of a footballer in the history of the game but sadly had a head the shape of a threepenny bit.

Doku is incredibly talented, way ahead of Siberski , is he good enough for an elite team, jury out for me.

both are hit and miss thats what I was alluding to. I know Doku is the better player and agree on the heading of Siberski

 

[eastmanc]

This might sound crazy but similar posts were made about Pep in his first season and in the 19/20 season when Liverpool won the league. Hell, people on here wanted Pep sacked in the treble season as late as February 2023.

If we’re wanting to lose our manager every time we don’t win the league then we’re going to be sacking someone every other season and more without Pep, especially considering how strong the opposition is these days.

Pep has won the league 6 times in 7 seasons and 4 times in a row. This is absolutely unsustainable within the PL and bound by the current financial regulations.

We’ve been playing with no dm, no right back and midfielders in their 30’s with little to no engine of them. If the PL was a race to get a full bucket of water to the top of a hill, we’ve got a bucket with 2-3 big holes in it. No matter how big that bucket is, or how good it looks, we’re not winning that race until those holes are patched up, and until then, it doesn’t matter who’s carrying it in the mean time.

So in reality here’s what is going to happen. City will strengthen the squad and Pep and the team will go again - winning multiple titles - even if it’s not always 3 or 4 in a row. This season will be seen as a blip and we’ll look back and people like me will say ‘remember when people wanted Pep gone because we had a disappointing season after winning 4 in a row? Where are you now that we’re champions again ole ole?’.

Great post blue.

 

[CC1]

This might sound crazy but similar posts were made about Pep in his first season and in the 19/20 season when Liverpool won the league. Hell, people on here wanted Pep sacked in the treble season as late as February 2023.

If we’re wanting to lose our manager every time we don’t win the league then we’re going to be sacking someone every other season and more without Pep, especially considering how strong the opposition is these days.

Pep has won the league 6 times in 7 seasons and 4 times in a row. This is absolutely unsustainable within the PL and bound by the current financial regulations.

We’ve been playing with no dm, no right back and midfielders in their 30’s with little to no engine of them. If the PL was a race to get a full bucket of water to the top of a hill, we’ve got a bucket with 2-3 big holes in it. No matter how big that bucket is, or how good it looks, we’re not winning that race until those holes are patched up, and until then, it doesn’t matter who’s carrying it in the mean time.

So in reality here’s what is going to happen. City will strengthen the squad and Pep and the team will go again - winning multiple titles - even if it’s not always 3 or 4 in a row. This season will be seen as a blip and we’ll look back and people like me will say ‘remember when people wanted Pep gone because we had a disappointing season after winning 4 in a row? Where are you now that we’re champions again ole ole?’.

Great post. I really can’t understand folk suggesting Pep should go. Of course, they know better than him. Bit like Gary Neville- that proven manager - telling every PL manager (especially Rag ones) what they should be doing :-)

 

[noseve]

If by research you mean I saw your name (written to the side of your post) and saw you put Southampton as team supported... then yes. And I was thorough. I wouldn't generalise to all people from Southampton having a poor attention to detail but I think you've proven you do now.

But I'm not here for personal insults. And I don't mind if you support City and Southampton as odd as that is. You at least could enjoy the last game at Maine Road more than a lot of us result wise.

As per my original post, I said Nunes stays but simply as a squad option to fill in wherever we need him to if players are injured or need a rest. It's vital the squad has cover, it's what we've lacked this season. You don't need 18 world class players. We've had plenty in previous seasons who did a job for us when others needed resting. It's not football manager, we can't just sell/terminate contracts for 8 players and then buy a whole new squad, and we wouldn't want to. This squad is full of talented players and I believe the majority will get back to previous levels in a squad that has the right amount of cover in the right areas. Nunes will be phased out naturally, because he isn't good enough to start consistently and then we'll sell him/let him leave. But I don't believe we'll do that in the summer unless he pushes for an exit.

Fair enough - I don't see that info on my phone, didn't realise you did.

 

[Silva&Silva]

Can see one of Stones or Ake leaving unfortunately, both are great players but they are made of glass. Hope Ake stays and we can slowly transition our two new CBs into the team.

 

[supercity88]

Fair enough - I don't see that info on my phone, didn't realise you did.

No worries mate, I only jest in any case. Ultimately we agree on Nunes I just don't think we have the ability to cull so many in the summer, nor do I think we have to.

 

[noseve]

Yep he's probably one of our most in form players at the moment. 6 goals in 5 in the league. He isn't untouchable but he's the last player I'd be thinking of selling. He'd easily be worth £100m+ at his age and nobody is going to pay that anyway.

The one player we're really carrying going forward is Haaland and he's just a spare part at the moment except for poaching the odd goal. Pep had Ibrahimovic at Barcelona and he never really worked in that team. It feels like there's just not enough energy or control in midfield so maybe it's worth trying something different?

Maybe Pep could try a false 9 for a game (Marmoush?) and see how it goes as Haaland needs competition too. Teams know how we'll play now and they just put two centre backs against Haaland and he's basically isolated, didn't he have only 10 or so touches for the entire Arsenal game?

I'd take anybody who can score a goal every 10 touches.

 

[Txiki Txiki Bang Bang]

Can see one of Stones or Ake leaving unfortunately, both are great players but they are made of glass. Hope Ake stays and we can slowly transition our two new CBs into the team.

Ake can go 10 games without picking up an injury, Stones? 3 games max. Love the guy but if I was to pick between the two, I would keep Ake

 

[Gray]

Out - Stones, Ake, De Bruyne, Kovatic, Bernado.

 

[inbetween]

I'd take anybody who can score a goal every 10 touches.

What's the point in that though if we get beat 5-1? He's too easy to play against as a lone striker. He needs to be able to at least hold it up or drift wide but against the big teams he's just not effective at the moment imo.

I think we just have to mix it up to be honest because every team has us figured out. Every team is setting up against us now like Bruges did and we were really lucky there. I don't see how we can beat Madrid for example because they can defend and they'll isolate Haaland out. It just depends on how negative they are and whether we can keep the ball.

When any team is able to mark out Haaland and turn it on we just go to pieces.

 

[noseve]

What's the point in that though if we get beat 5-1? He's too easy to play against as a lone striker. He needs to be able to at least hold it up or drift wide but against the big teams he's just not effective at the moment imo.

I think we just have to mix it up to be honest because every team has us figured out. Every team is setting up against us now like Bruges did and we were really lucky there. I don't see how we can beat Madrid for example because they can defend and they'll isolate Haaland out. It just depends on how negative they are and whether we can keep the ball.

When any team is able to mark out Haaland and turn it on we just go to pieces.

I do agree, actually - when we allow him to be kept so static in a packed area, he's no more difficult to mark than I am.
And I'm easy to mark.

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

Foden gets a free pass because "he's one of our own" but he should be judged the same way as players like Nunes and others. We know what he is capable of and I thought he had a better claim to the Balon D'Or than Vinicius Jr based on the season he had. But he's gone to pieces this season, bar a few recent goals.

His weaknesses have become all too apparent. Feeble in the tackle, reluctance to put right his numerous mistakes by chasing back, lack of meaningful involvement in games. He needs to get back to doing what he does best (although I feel it's a complete waste sticking him out wide). Hopefully he can do that soon but if we see the same Foden next season then we should get rid. We can't afford passengers if we want to resume our trophy-gathering, regardless of whether they've been with us since they were just out of nappies or not.

Foden needs to go out on loan to get some experience, he's not doing any good warming the multi million pound bench at City