The Squad planning thread

Gaz (FMwkdsoul) said:
seen this Suzuki mentioned in the few threads, how is he with his feet and the highlights vids are all saves only.
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No idea about Suzuki other than we’ve been linked regularly by Italian media so based on his age profile I think he’s a real option. Plus Parma has great goalkeeping pedigree!

Just can’t see Ortega as our number one next season, not quite good enough with his feet and his shot stopping this season seems below previous seasons (maybe he’s just played more so we’re starting to see flaws)
 
No respect for some of the greatest players the Premier league let alone city have seen, the likes of KDB should be given whatever he wants in terms of contract, I'd love him to stay at the club for ever.
 
Gareth Barry Conlon said:
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Ederson is 31. That's young for a keeper. Not sure what's going on with him.
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He's the same he's always been: good with his feet but not a shot stopper. Probably wouldn't notice any difference in him if we weren't floundering over the rest of the pitch.
 
ninjamonkey said:
I can say with confidence that there's zero chance we are dumping 8 first teamers in one window. This isn't football manager.
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Especially considering most of those names floating around have played critical roles in Pep's system the past 5-6 years. Ederson, Walker, Phillips and Kovacic should be easy enough to move on and De Bruyne shouldn't get an extension. That's a good start of a transition going into next season if we can bring in an 8 or two, a right back, a center back and an attacking midfielder.
 
There’s absolutely no room for sentiment this Summer….Stones and Ake are both superb when fit…..but as we know those times are few and far between and we need to free up wages, squad places etc.

De Bruyne still has moments….but that’s all they are (albeit very good) Gundogan, Kovacic who disappointingly is not good enough should all be move on, leaving only Bernardo from our aging middle this season.

I’ve always liked Grealish but if he isn’t able to stay fit then along with Doku ( who always seems to struggle for fitness) they should be made available and again Nunes isn’t anywhere near the level required.

Part of the problem this season has been Peps reluctance to use the younger players and his loyalty to the aforementioned where it seems he is uncomfortable in picking a youngster instead of a more experienced player has come back to haunt us.

As well as the first eleven….the whole squad needs refreshing and hopefully an influx of some newer hungry players plus the incentive of more game time for some of the younger players (Eveverri and Bobb included) will create the right type of environment within the club with some healthy competition.
 
ninjamonkey said:
I can say with confidence that there's zero chance we are dumping 8 first teamers in one window. This isn't football manager.
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I’d normally agree but we’re in a strange situation. I can’t see any way Gundogan, KDB or Walker is with us next season. All of Stones, Ederson and Bernardo are out of contract summer 2026, can’t see them signing extensions so we’re likely to try to move them on. Phillips will go this summer. As for Nunes and Grealish, do they have any future with us? That’s a lot of players with huge questions over their futures.
 
We need:

A good athletic RB who can play as a midfielder OR right winger OR right centre back when in possession. Preferably at least two of those options.

Senior / high quality centre back if Stones and/or Ake leave.

Box-to-box eight with pace, power and technique, the Baleba type.

Attacking midfielder. Wirtz would be a dream.

Goalkeeper if Ederson leaves.

Maybe a winger if Grealish leaves but might not be necessary.
 
pavelsrnicek said:
I’d normally agree but we’re in a strange situation. I can’t see any way Gundogan, KDB or Walker is with us next season. All of Stones, Ederson and Bernardo are out of contract summer 2026, can’t see them signing extensions so we’re likely to try to move them on. Phillips will go this summer. As for Nunes and Grealish, do they have any future with us? That’s a lot of players with huge questions over their futures.
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Ederson, Walker and Phillips are for sure gone. I'd add Kovacic along de Bruyne and Gundo as those who shouldn't be here next season. If we're moving on from those three midfielders, I doubt Pep would be cool with also losing Bernardo in one window. Stones and Ake would be hard sells given their ages and injury records, so I won't be too bothered if the club lets them run down their contracts unless we have buyers for them and incoming replacements ready. Nunes and Grealish I want to give another season to, but it's really up to how Pep uses them and if that aligns with their ambitions to represent their respective countries in the World Cup.
 
pavelsrnicek said:
I’d normally agree but we’re in a strange situation. I can’t see any way Gundogan, KDB or Walker is with us next season. All of Stones, Ederson and Bernardo are out of contract summer 2026, can’t see them signing extensions so we’re likely to try to move them on. Phillips will go this summer. As for Nunes and Grealish, do they have any future with us? That’s a lot of players with huge questions over their futures.
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Walker is gone for certain, I've long since said we will keep one of kdb/gundo for a further year, there's a 30 minute squad role for one of them and the experience they have is invaluable.

Ederson I believe we will be very keen to keep, it's on him whether he wants to go or not. I think bernardo see's his contract out and then moves on, we've kept him for about half a decade longer than he's wanted to be here, we're not going to do him dirty by looking to ship him out a year before he finally gets his free move back to benfica, stones will be kept, a new contract will be dependent on his fitness throughout next season.

Agree with Phillips. Grealish I think we'd sell tomorrow if we got a bid for him, don't see who will offer us anything for him though so I expect us to be stuck with him until his contract is done too. Nunes who knows, there's a player there but pep doesn't fancy him, don't expect we will push for him to go given the number of other replacements we'll need. I think mcatee might have to be sold too if he isnt happy with his role, he's valuable and one we cannot let leave for free.

So we're looking at walker and Phillips who I'm not even really considering a part of our squad anymore plus one from kdb/gundo and then perhaps 1 or 2 more from the other questionables only if they decide they want to move on. Assuming a replacement is brought in for them all (except phillips) that's possibly 4/5 out, and similar numbers in to add to the 4 January signings, that's already the best part of half a squad, which is more than is ideal, no chance we do anymore than that at once.
 
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Lots of noises about the squad on SM.
Timing after the CL exit is interesting.

Feels like something (or someone) has finally snapped.

Gonna be an interesting 6 months.
 
Mr Grumpy said:
Lots of noises about the squad on SM.
Timing after the CL exit is interesting.

Feels like something (or someone) has finally snapped.

Gonna be an interesting 6 months.
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Could just be an opportunity to farm clicks and engagement at our expense after yesterday.
 
EdersonsSmiley said:
Goalkeepers : Ortega, NEW SIGNING

Defenders: Khusanov, Reis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, one of Ake or Stones, NEW SIGNING

Midfielders: Rodri, Nico, Kovacic, Bernardo

Attacking midfielders: Foden, Marmoush, McAtee, NEW SIGNING

Wingers: Savinho, Doku, Grealish, Bobb

Striker: Haaland, NEW SIGNING/ACADEMY PLAYER?

That means KDB, Gundogan, Ederson, Walker and one of Ake/Stones to leave. If Grealish can't stay fit for the rest of the season he can be replaced too.
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Yep thats pretty much how i see it with 2 out of the 3 of KDB, Gundo and Bernie going.

Cambiaso in as a RB/LB

Nico O'Reilly has done enough for LB and a bit of midfield cover allowing Gvardiol to move back into CB if needed.

Need someone new highly creative in midfield with an eye for a pass. Wirtz or similar.

Up front I know its been mentioned on X that we wont exercise it, but the Delap buyback would make lots sense. He has played wide as well as in the middle and is very physical can play the hold up striker role as well, 10 goals and 2 assists in a poor Ipswich team is good going.

Around £200m spend and we should be good for next season
 
This would be a good summer for a big shift in personnel. It's very likely any new players wouldn't have to deal with the club world cup, sparing us on some potential fitness issues
 
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