The Squad planning thread

[richards30]

In my opinion, the biggest reason we need to let so many players go is not just that they're not good enough any more. It's to remove the ability for Pep to select them.

Remove the temptation to go back his ex and he'll start to move forward.

Agreed, Pep needs them taken away to stop him going back.

 

[Matt Diablo]

Manchester City squad list 25/26:

Dias
Gvardiol
Reis
Khusanov
Lewis
Rodri
Nico G
Nico O
Haaland
Foden
Marmoush
Doku
Savio
Bobb

(15 100% in the squad next season - Echeverri/McAtee could be among them)


But this is what we have to work with.


TRANSFER LIST:

New first-choice goalkeeper and a back-up if Ortega goes.


New centre-back - I’d let go of many of our injury prone defence and bring young physical defenders in.


New full-backs both sides. Can’t continue with Nunes/Lewis at full-back every week. Walker will go.


New number #8 options not against another player that can play in the #6 aswell - like a Bruno G type.


Another winger someone that can add goals from the flanks. Could be either sided. Not against Doku and Savio sharing minutes from the left and a right-winger comes in if there’s a better option on the market.



Also on second thought it’s not even a shoe-in that Nico O’Reilly is in the squad next season I really hope he is. Been thoroughly impressed. But we will see how many stay out of the young players or if anyone gets promoted. Mukasa for example.

Spot on. Echeveri definately. Macatee for Wirtz in a dreamworld hopefully and the other spots you stated we need and we back on again. Preferably c/b who can play a 6 role too be ideal . . .

 

[Matt Diablo]

we need to replace KDB and Gundo - this isnt easy but has to be priority - if we buy potential then its a long road back

Sorting Jack's situation is a priority too. So much ££££ at stake

 

[richards30]

Chevalier
Frimpong
Diomande
Nico Williams
Wirtz

 

[blueparrot]

I do wonder at posters with these big lists of squad changes that always use the ‘let go’ followed by a big list of names as if all these players are straining at the leash to go and all we have to do is open a door and off they’ll go. There is only one player we can ‘let go’ and that’s KDB. There might be a handful of others that are willing to go but even that's not a given.

 

[Semper aggressus]

I do wonder at posters with these big lists of squad changes that always use the ‘let go’ followed by a big list of names as if all these players are straining at the leash to go and all we have to do is open a door and off they’ll go. There is only one player we can ‘let go’ and that’s KDB. There might be a handful of others that are willing to go but even that's not a given.

But the club can let them and their agents know it would be better for them to seek a move away.

 

[pee dubya]

I do wonder at posters with these big lists of squad changes that always use the ‘let go’ followed by a big list of names as if all these players are straining at the leash to go and all we have to do is open a door and off they’ll go. There is only one player we can ‘let go’ and that’s KDB. There might be a handful of others that are willing to go but even that's not a given.

Also folk acting like the older players have no value to add any more. It's not true, our issue is we just have too many of them, but we shouldn't be going completely the other way.

Personally i'd be keeping 2 of Stones, Ake and Akanji.

And I'd keep 2 of Kovacic, Gundogan, Bernardo and KDB.

Lewis will be staying, for anyone who thinks he's off.

I'd also keep Nunes for the versatility and effort he's shown this season, unless we get a really good offer or need the squad space.

 

[Roachy]

Also folk acting like the older players have no value to add any more. It's not true, our issue is we just have too many of them, but we shouldn't be going completely the other way.

Personally i'd be keeping 2 of Stones, Ake and Akanji.

And I'd keep 2 of Kovacic, Gundogan, Bernardo and KDB.

Lewis will be staying, for anyone who thinks he's off.

I'd also keep Nunes for the versatility and effort he's shown this season, unless we get a really good offer or need the squad space.

Which 2 of the 4 midfielders? There's an arguement for any or all of them to be replaced. Lewis will stay, probably as a squad player. The defenders are still good, injuries aside. Nunes not really up to it, would sell for a decent fee.

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

Also folk acting like the older players have no value to add any more. It's not true, our issue is we just have too many of them, but we shouldn't be going completely the other way.

Personally i'd be keeping 2 of Stones, Ake and Akanji.

And I'd keep 2 of Kovacic, Gundogan, Bernardo and KDB.

Lewis will be staying, for anyone who thinks he's off.

I'd also keep Nunes for the versatility and effort he's shown this season, unless we get a really good offer or need the squad space.

Need to lose 3 non HG just to sign 1 as it stands (if every one is registered we have now).

 

[pee dubya]

Which 2 of the 4 midfielders? There's an arguement for any or all of them to be replaced. Lewis will stay, probably as a squad player. The defenders are still good, injuries aside. Nunes not really up to it, would sell for a decent fee.

If it was me I'd probably keep Kovacic, who I think is still effective in combination with Rodri, and KDB, for his ability to find players and his leadership.

But that's ignoring their contract situations, demand from other clubs etc.

 

[blueparrot]

But the club can let them and their agents know it would be better for them to seek a move away.

They can, the players might decide to think otherwise.

 

[blueparrot]

Also folk acting like the older players have no value to add any more. It's not true, our issue is we just have too many of them, but we shouldn't be going completely the other way.

Personally i'd be keeping 2 of Stones, Ake and Akanji.

And I'd keep 2 of Kovacic, Gundogan, Bernardo and KDB.

Lewis will be staying, for anyone who thinks he's off.

I'd also keep Nunes for the versatility and effort he's shown this season, unless we get a really good offer or need the squad space.

The issue this season isn’t that these players have no value or quality, the issue is we are relying on them to play every game this season.
As you say some will stay and be valuable squad players not only on the pitch when asked to play but also trophy winning experience, and knowledge around the squad and young players in invaluable at the back end of any season if we want to rebuild and still compete for trophies.
If we have a squad full of players that have never won anything it takes a long time to build back in that winning mentality.

 

[Roachy]

The issue this season isn’t that these players have no value or quality, the issue is we are relying on them to play every game this season.
As you say some will stay and be valuable squad players not only on the pitch when asked to play but also trophy winning experience, and knowledge around the squad and young players in invaluable at the back end of any season if we want to rebuild and still compete for trophies.
If we have a squad full of players that have never won anything it takes a long time to build back in that winning mentality.

This is largely my thinking as well. The experienced players will be invaluable for the attributes you've mentioned. The crux of the problem though, is what they'll actually offer on the pitch when it comes to it. We cannot afford a repeat of this seasons showings from some of our more experienced players next season, whoever may remain. There's obviously a balance to be struck, but the coming summer may see some stalwarts moving on. This is the correct thing to do.

 

[blueparrot]

This is largely my thinking as well. The experienced players will be invaluable for the attributes you've mentioned. The crux of the problem though, is what they'll actually offer on the pitch when it comes to it. We cannot afford a repeat of this seasons showings from some of our more experienced players next season, whoever may remain. There's obviously a balance to be struck, but the coming summer may see some stalwarts moving on. This is the correct thing to do.

Yes some will move we need some to move, not sure which ones other than Walker, but whoever stays I don’t see any other than Ake maybe Akanji starting league or CL games , the rest they will play domestic cup games and maybe if fit Stones will play some league games too.
Really we are talking KDB, Gundogan, Kovacic, and the odd one out is Bernardo who isn’t that old but has a lot of games in his legs. Maybe playing less will see him get back to a good level maybe not, suppose it depends on motivation mentally for him as much as physically he’s done it all, hard to get back to that mental strength.
My guess Walker, Phillips, Grealish ,Ederson, Nunes ,Kovacic are the ones to go, but just a guess.Wouldn’t be surprised if Gundogan and possibly KDB stay but aren’t in the CL squad.

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

Yes some will move we need some to move, not sure which ones other than Walker, but whoever stays I don’t see any other than Ake maybe Akanji starting league or CL games , the rest they will play domestic cup games and maybe if fit Stones will play some league games too.
Really we are talking KDB, Gundogan, Kovacic, and the odd one out is Bernardo who isn’t that old but has a lot of games in his legs. Maybe playing less will see him get back to a good level maybe not, suppose it depends on motivation mentally for him as much as physically he’s done it all, hard to get back to that mental strength.
My guess Walker, Phillips, Grealish ,Ederson, Nunes ,Kovacic are the ones to go, but just a guess.Wouldn’t be surprised if Gundogan and possibly KDB stay but aren’t in the CL squad.

Wonder if they leave Reis out as well and let him play cup games, bench and EDS games for now (played last night with Bobb) - Interesting season for him i think.

 

[blueparrot]

Wonder if they leave Reis out as well and let him play cup games, bench and EDS games for now (played last night with Bobb) - Interesting season for him i think.

Maybe, depends partly what they told him when he was bought, but depends how they view him over the next couple of months. Plus not sure we buy another centre back so would you risk leaving him out of the CL squad and relying on Stones, Ake, Dias ?
So on balance don’t think he’d be left out unless we are replacing Stones ,which isn’t impossible, but might be difficult.

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

Maybe, depends partly what they told him when he was bought, but depends how they view him over the next couple of months. Plus not sure we buy another centre back so would you risk leaving him out of the CL squad and relying on Stones, Ake, Dias ?
So on balance don’t think he’d be left out unless we are replacing Stones ,which isn’t impossible, but might be difficult.

I think they get one but space at a premium being what it is, fuck knows who or who for

 

[Roachy]

Yes some will move we need some to move, not sure which ones other than Walker, but whoever stays I don’t see any other than Ake maybe Akanji starting league or CL games , the rest they will play domestic cup games and maybe if fit Stones will play some league games too.
Really we are talking KDB, Gundogan, Kovacic, and the odd one out is Bernardo who isn’t that old but has a lot of games in his legs. Maybe playing less will see him get back to a good level maybe not, suppose it depends on motivation mentally for him as much as physically he’s done it all, hard to get back to that mental strength.
My guess Walker, Phillips, Grealish ,Ederson, Nunes ,Kovacic are the ones to go, but just a guess.Wouldn’t be surprised if Gundogan and possibly KDB stay but aren’t in the CL squad.

KDB and Gundo really showing their age at times now is a problem. The squad numbers scenario will play a big part as well.

 

[mattcity5]

Sounds very much like homegrown is at a premium then, club trained even more so perhaps. If - IF - we are after 2 keepers, Trafford's gonna be high up the list just because of those reasons.

 

[blueparrot]

KDB and Gundo really showing their age at times now is a problem. The squad numbers scenario will play a big part as well.

Gundogan especially, he seems to have nothing left and he must know that himself. KDB slightly different, probably still capable of coming on in a game with 20 minutes left and creating something, probably still capable of playing a lower league team in the cup and creating chances. In that respect think KDB would offer more than Gundogan Kovacic and maybe Bernardo. If we had to keep 2 of the 4 though Id go Bernardo and KDB. Whether Kevin wants a bit part is down to him though.