The Squad planning thread

[CΛL]

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I would be more than satisfied to find this situation on September 1st, 2026. Plus, having reliable academy players like Alleyne. I am not sure how the financial math worked for Semenyo and Guehi this window, but I think it would be perfectly manageable to bring in only Anderson for the entire summer transfer window? The rest are all returnees from loan. However, I fear the unsolvable knot will still be how to part ways with Ortega, Stones, Aké, Bernardo, Kovacic, Grealish, and most difficult of all, Phillips. That will truly be Viana's toughest job.

Foden isn’t missing a starting spot for at least 4 of those players

 

[CΛL]

One random thing I’ve noticed is the diversity of the squad ever since Viana took charge as DOF has been interesting:

- Khusanov is the first ever Uzbek that plays for City.
- Then came Marmoush, first ever Egyptian.
- Now Semenyo is the first Ghanaian.
- Juma Bah that was signed last year is the first ever Sierra Leonean.

Personally, I like it. Helps grow the fanbase too.

I also think it’s really cool but now we have three or four first team players who we could lose to an Afcon every two years

 

[bellsouth]

I also think it’s really cool but now we have three or four first team players who we could lose to an Afcon every two years

They’re changing to every 4 years :)

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Would anyone take Harry Wilson?

Out of contract in the summer.

 

[NordStrike]

Just wondering, if we lose Ake, Stones, Bobb, and Phillips next window, how do we fix our HG situation? We’d only have Trafford, Bettinelli, Foden, and Semenyo as senior homegrowns. Do Rico Lewis and O’Reilly get bumped up to the main squad to fill the slots

 

[Gabriel]

Would anyone take Harry Wilson?

Out of contract in the summer.

He'll be 29 by then, which means any move is likely to be his last significant one. Everton perhaps?

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

He'll be 29 by then, which means any move is likely to be his last significant one. Everton perhaps?

Didn’t realise his age, but he might be a reasonable association trained option.

Maybe you’re right though. Villa might have a look.

 

[g180aj]

Would anyone take Harry Wilson?

Out of contract in the summer.

I can’t help but think why would we, if anything today has proven we have some incredibly talented Ed’s players who are good enough to contribute. For me there is no reason why we can’t have McAidoo and Regan Heskey as the understudies for Doku and Samenyo.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

I can’t help but think why would we, if anything today has proven we have some incredibly talented Ed’s players who are good enough to contribute. For me there is no reason why we can’t have McAidoo and Regan Heskey as the understudies for Doku and Samenyo.

True, but it doesn’t seem like Pep uses them in the league unless we’re out of sight or in crisis.

Think my thought was born out of him being on a free as association trained. He might not want to be a squad player anyway.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

We need this guy

 

[Skrastins]

They’re changing to every 4 years :)

that explains City sudden eagerness to sign more African players

 

[Skrastins]

Reminds me more of Bernardo tbh

 

[salfordbluetrue]

Just wondering, if we lose Ake, Stones, Bobb, and Phillips next window, how do we fix our HG situation? We’d only have Trafford, Bettinelli, Foden, and Semenyo as senior homegrowns. Do Rico Lewis and O’Reilly get bumped up to the main squad to fill the slots

All this is possible but you seem to have your numbers wrong, HG for CL only Trafford, O`Rielly, Lewis, Foden, no doubt pre season will throw another in, Alleyne look odds on. AT Bettnelli, Semenyo, Anderson possibly, Guehi possibly but liverpool makes more sense for him, or Branthwaite injured but has what we do not, City may well keep Stones and Ake on reduced wages, they would just move down the line.

 

[Blue Bogey]

Not a player for this January market but perhaps in the summer or next winter market City are closely monitoring a 17 yr old player with a buy out clause of €200m for any top clubs in Europe.

As you would imagine the player is already an international at youth level. The player is said to have visited the Etihad and campus in 2024. Manchester City are in a strong position and the fee will almost certainly not be €200m if City do sign him. Having seen videos of him I can see why City would be highly interested.

The player has been mentioned once on the transfer forum by another bluemooner as a player to watch.

 

[Mancini’s Pastilles]

Wonder would the club go with just Alleyne and Vitor Reis to replace Ake and Stones? Leaves us 5 CBs with Khus Dias Josko

 

[Paul1970]

Would anyone take Harry Wilson?

Out of contract in the summer.

Not good enough for what we need mate

 

[supercity88]

In terms of squad planning, I like that we've bought Semenyo and are looking at Guehi. Exactly the type of player we need both in terms of quality and character.

I've said before, standards have fallen off a cliff. Work rate, mentality, quality are all way off what we came to expect. Players are getting away with a lack of effort, misplaced passes, mistakes and are still on the pitch the next week. We've had a few injuries, but there are so many in this squad that wouldn't have got on the pitch in our pomp.

Foden for example was poor against Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton. At our best he wouldn't have been on the pitch again after one poor display with so many misplaced passes and poor decision making.

We need to get back to those levels and the only way to do that is buy more proven quality. It ensures standards increase and helps the younger players develop. If we're going to lose Bernardo, Stones and Ake this summer that's another three big character going and we can't just rely on youth to get us back where we need to be.

 

[ALDN_Ko]

Not a player for this January market but perhaps in the summer or next winter market City are closely monitoring a 17 yr old player with a buy out clause of €200m for any top clubs in Europe.

As you would imagine the player is already an international at youth level. The player is said to have visited the Etihad and campus in 2025. Manchester City are in a strong position and the fee will almost certainly not be €200m if City do sign him. Having seen videos of him I can see why City would be highly interested.

The player has been mentioned once on the transfer forum by another bluemooner as a player to watch.

Just say Lennart Karl

 

[Blue Bogey]

Just say Lennart Karl

Lennart Karl……no not him.

Strengths: pace, finishing, heading, dribbling, physicality, ball control, technique, agility, creativity

 

[Sleeping_Easy]

View attachment 179721

I would be more than satisfied to find this situation on September 1st, 2026. Plus, having reliable academy players like Alleyne. I am not sure how the financial math worked for Semenyo and Guehi this window, but I think it would be perfectly manageable to bring in only Anderson for the entire summer transfer window? The rest are all returnees from loan. However, I fear the unsolvable knot will still be how to part ways with Ortega, Stones, Aké, Bernardo, Kovacic, Grealish, and most difficult of all, Phillips. That will truly be Viana's toughest job.

I'd agree in the main. The only change I'd say is send Reis and Nypan out on another seasons loan. Bring in a RB and let Khusanov get most of his minutes at CB. Nico, Rodri, Anderson, Reijnders and Lewis should be enought to cover the two CM spots.