Annoys me too the smiles. Only thing is mate after losing Alvarez, I would argue we cannot afford to let another top striker go. In today’s market, he is a quality player, strikes the ball well from distance. Sure he looks very unsharp at the moment but all he needs is a run of 4-5 games and I would put money he will regain confidence and form.
The Squad planning thread
- Thread starter HaalandEffect
- Start date
Arguably one of the stars of the treble team, he gets overlooked the way he changed from a centre back to a left back that season and scored some vital goals (Arsenal in the cup etc.), a true City legend imo.
Need to let Marmoush, Gonzales (reluctantly), savinho, Lewis, kovacic, reijnders all leave
Then buy players for the first 11 and let them compete
We need players who are gonna come in and score that important goal etc
At the moment it’s like we have two teams
Foden is an exception. He should be on the list due to form but he is a special case
Then buy players for the first 11 and let them compete
We need players who are gonna come in and score that important goal etc
At the moment it’s like we have two teams
Foden is an exception. He should be on the list due to form but he is a special case
Squad planning is far from a simple process.
There is no successful team with 22 world-class players because the best players demand playing time. Maintaining spirit and togetherness in such a competitive environment, that operates at the elite level, is damn tricky, and we have done it better than nearly everyone in world football for more than a decade.
We now know that Stones and Bernie are leaving, and I expect Ake too, so our squad will require additions. Assuming that Reis and Anderson will come in, it looks like the gap is on the wing and at full-back if Rico is not deemed likely.
Viana's stated aim of integrating academy talent would be my preferred solution.
Unfortunately, I feel that Lewis and Marmoush may move on, but we will already have replacements in mind.
There is no successful team with 22 world-class players because the best players demand playing time. Maintaining spirit and togetherness in such a competitive environment, that operates at the elite level, is damn tricky, and we have done it better than nearly everyone in world football for more than a decade.
We now know that Stones and Bernie are leaving, and I expect Ake too, so our squad will require additions. Assuming that Reis and Anderson will come in, it looks like the gap is on the wing and at full-back if Rico is not deemed likely.
Viana's stated aim of integrating academy talent would be my preferred solution.
Unfortunately, I feel that Lewis and Marmoush may move on, but we will already have replacements in mind.
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blueparrot
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Think that squad should be our preffered starting point for next season, with Reijnders as well.If one or 2 want to leave then we deal with those as and when.We don't want to be starting next season with too many changes unless we have to.
TonyColemansbagofapples
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And then all those bluemooners that say we let Trafford go because he wants to play regularly can have a beano.
Exactly. I set it as a starting point but there may be a couple who have already expressed a wish to leave, and we will have identified potential alternatives.
We have a couple of irreplaceable stars - Erling and Rodri - and backup to both is a challenge because they are going to play most of the games. I think you do the rotation around them, so a forward (for example) needs to be able to play across the front line.
I wouldn't ship out Kovacic as he is the backup 8 option to Anderson, not Reis.
Reis has potential to be a backup 6, not an 8.
And since he is primarily a CB, I prefer him coming back. Players who can go in multiple spots makes squad minutes easier to manage.
I also suspect Reijnders stays... but as your squad without Kova (who I think stays) shows... he is likely a backup.
Yes they do (multi positions and minutes) and I agree about Reis as a six. With no space at CB, yet a rightful return based on performances, I hope that Reis comes as backup to Rodri/CB allowing Gonz/Anderson/Kova more 'freedom'.
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decmancity
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I dont think Pep would want Kova to go but hes into the last year of his deal, off the back of a big injury and could well want to go himself and finish out his career playing more often
Gabriel
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If someone contracted wants to leave, then let them go, but let’s see where the trophies land before deciding on another overhaul. Could yet be 3 out of 5.
Yep. I think we have a very solid core and won't change it too much.
LeonardoDaVnci
Well-Known Member
If the rumours re Kroupi are false then maybe Echeverri (recall) is lined up to join the squad.
There might be a biggish OUT that's not obvious, eg Reinders back to Italy, not sure but it may be needed to reduce the total spend.
Viana's mobile could explode this summer, he may need a burner phone, only my wild arse guess but looks like over 30 deals to do....
IN (est £200m)
1 KROUPI or ECHEVERRI (recall)
2 ANDERSON
3 LIVRAMENTO
4 REIS (recall)
5 GK-2
OUT (est £100m)
1 BERNARDO
2 GREALISH £20m
3 STONES
4 AKE
5 KOVA
6 PHILIPS
7 AKANJI £15m
8 LEWIS £25m
9 TRAFFORD £40m
10 ESBRAND WILSON
11 MBETE
12 BURNS
LOAN
1 ALLEYNE
2 MUBAMA
4 JSP
5 BAH
6 R HESKEY
7 MCAIDOO
8 J HESKEY
9 NYPAN
10 MUKASA
11 MFUNI
12 SAMUEL
13 CARRINGTON
14 SMITH
15 WHATMUFF
16 GALVIN
17 FLETCHER
18 LAWRENCE
19 NDALA
20 ECHEVERRI
21 WARHURST
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I am very interested to see what happens with Nico O. With his ability to join the midfield from LB, I wonder if he has found a position that really suits him, and us. His physicality offers a lot of protection behind those joining the attack, where he is also a danger.
As for Livramento, I don't see it because I doubt he would wish to compete with Nunes. I am happy to be proven wrong though, but I suspect a lesser-known RB is more likely, under the assumption that Rico moves on, which I hope does not happen.
Cheadle_hulmeBlue
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We’re losing so many leaders and proven winners from the squad.
NordStrike
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- Team supported
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Donnaruma
Trafford*
Bettinelli*
Guehi*
Gvardiol
Dias
Khusanov
Reis
Nunes
Lewis*
Ait Nouri
OReilly*
Rodri
Nico
Anderson*
Kovacic
Foden*
Cherki
Semenyo*
Doku
Savio
Haaland
Marmoush
8 Homegrown
15 international
Trafford*
Bettinelli*
Guehi*
Gvardiol
Dias
Khusanov
Reis
Nunes
Lewis*
Ait Nouri
OReilly*
Rodri
Nico
Anderson*
Kovacic
Foden*
Cherki
Semenyo*
Doku
Savio
Haaland
Marmoush
8 Homegrown
15 international
Interesting story from Brazil
Manchester City sent a letter warning the Brazilian club Bahia (affiliated with City) that it is strictly prohibited from making any moves regarding Dele's file (the Brazilian Haaland), and that City will bring him directly to the club when the appropriate time comes.
Dele has offers from Spain, Germany, and France, but he wants to play for Bahia and then City.Dele in a previous statement: I want to achieve successes with Bahia and the Brazilian national team. And perhaps the time will come to achieve unforgettable successes with City. My dream is to play there and become like Haaland because he is my role model.
We must rate this kid highly, I remember him being in a City video.
Manchester City sent a letter warning the Brazilian club Bahia (affiliated with City) that it is strictly prohibited from making any moves regarding Dele's file (the Brazilian Haaland), and that City will bring him directly to the club when the appropriate time comes.
Dele has offers from Spain, Germany, and France, but he wants to play for Bahia and then City.Dele in a previous statement: I want to achieve successes with Bahia and the Brazilian national team. And perhaps the time will come to achieve unforgettable successes with City. My dream is to play there and become like Haaland because he is my role model.
We must rate this kid highly, I remember him being in a City video.
How can we do that, legally?
He'd play as a 9, not as a 10...