We've got enough....

[Marvin]

You don’t think letting ourselves get overun for three halves out of four and not creating enough chances didn’t have something to do with it?

Two halves. Clearly refereeing errors were a key factor. If there was VAR, I think we'd have won that tie. You may think differently. You should know by now that key decisions and goals can change the course of a game. After Sane's goal was ruled out and Liverpool hit us on the counter, that was it. Game over.

 

[Cityfan]

I keep seeing this?

We don't need to replace Toure, he went missing for the last three years.

Fernandinho certainly needs help but he was doing Toure's job for him anyway.

Two years ago he did a decent job I reckon which is why we renewed, but my reading of the statement of needing to replace Toure is more for the position he occupied rather than the job he did. He was back up to Fern last year fortunately Fern was rarely injured or suspended last year so that job wasn't really required and Gundogan could do it on an occasional basis though more often he did his work further forward backing up SIlva and De Bruyne. This year Fern is a year older may not be as lucky with injuries and hasn't really had a rest at the world cup. Personally I think we could use someone there.

 

[Zenmanc]

Not bothered. Last year with a record setting team despite Silva having a great deal of absence, Aguero and Jesus injuries as well as Gundo, Mendy out basically the entire way... We will be better this year. Id rather be done with moves now than bring in an overpriced signing who isnt an ideal fit.

 

[BlueAnorak]

I keep seeing this?

We don't need to replace Toure, he went missing for the last three years.

Fernandinho certainly needs help but he was doing Toure's job for him anyway.

We DO need to replace Toure because we've been really lucky that Fern hasn't had any serious injuries.

 

[roy.or.r]

We DO need to replace Toure because we've been really lucky that Fern hasn't had any serious injuries.

I agree. We were lucky that Fernandinho didn't have any injury. He is 33 now and I don't think he can maintain the superhuman levels of last season. It's too much to ask of him imo.
The funny thing is people here wanted the Mahrez signing when we had cover for the RW position but the same people are saying that we don't need a cover for Fernandinho when we are so lightweight in that position.

 

[BlueDeadHead]

I agree. We were lucky that Fernandinho didn't have any injury. He is 33 now and I don't think he can maintain the superhuman levels of last season. It's too much to ask of him imo.
The funny thing is people here wanted the Mahrez signing when we had cover for the RW position but the same people are saying that we don't need a cover for Fernandinho when we are so lightweight in that position.

People need to stop thinking of players being only available for one position. What we NEED to do is replace Yaya's position in the 17. We did that with Mahrez (and it was quite the upgrade). Its up to Pep to figure out how they line up. What we definitely do NOT NEED is an overweight and old CM who never plays and takes up a valuable roster spot.

 

[cookster]

We've not only got enough, we've got Guardiola.

 

[simon23]

I think its a big risk to go into the season without another central midfielder that can play Ferna's role....I keep seeing Ilky's name and he undoubtedly offers more going forward than Ferna bu defensively he is shocking. For a professional footballer his tackling is non existent. For most games we will get away with it but int he games that really count I wouldn't have him in there at all

We need someone else

 

[roy.or.r]

People need to stop thinking of players being only available for one position. What we NEED to do is replace Yaya's position in the 17. We did that with Mahrez (and it was quite the upgrade). Its up to Pep to figure out how they line up. What we definitely do NOT NEED is an overweight and old CM who never plays and takes up a valuable roster spot.

But we need to keep a balance in the 17 players squad. If you are saying that we replaced Yaya with Mahrez, don't you think we are light in the CM area then? Upgrading is specific to the positions on the pitch not just the squad. We can sell Gundogan and buy Messi. Do you think it's an upgrade relevant to the CM position?

 

[BlueDeadHead]

But we need to keep a balance in the 17 players squad. If you are saying that we replaced Yaya with Mahrez, don't you think we are light in the CM area then? Upgrading is specific to the positions on the pitch not just the squad. We can sell Gundogan and buy Messi. Do you think it's an upgrade relevant to the CM position?

Not really as I think it is pretty clear that Bernardo was bought last summer as a CM and ended up playing RW because Sanchez fell through.

So, really, we just finally got our final attacker that Pep prioritized LAST summer allowing Bernardo move to his natural 8 position to rotate with Kevin and Silva.

That allows Gundogan to move back to the position that we bought him for (DM) to serve as an alternative to Dinho.

 

[roy.or.r]

Not really as I think it is pretty clear that Bernardo was bought last summer as a CM and ended up playing RW because Sanchez fell through.

So, really, we just finally got our final attacker that Pep prioritized LAST summer allowing Bernardo move to his natural 8 position to rotate with Kevin and Silva.

That allows Gundogan to move back to the position that we bought him for (DM) to serve as an alternative to Dinho.

So why do you think Pep was still looking at Jorginho and Fred?

 

[TRUE BLUE NO1]

Not really as I think it is pretty clear that Bernardo was bought last summer as a CM and ended up playing RW because Sanchez fell through.

So, really, we just finally got our final attacker that Pep prioritized LAST summer allowing Bernardo move to his natural 8 position to rotate with Kevin and Silva.

That allows Gundogan to move back to the position that we bought him for (DM) to serve as an alternative to Dinho.

Since missing on DM's I've given this alot of thought and I think your right....signing Mahrez actually upgraded 2 positions as it will allow Bernardo to move inside. Seeing him at CM during the WC showed we have just seen the tip of the iceberg with his play so far. I have concerns about the DM role like many others but do think we got a 2 for 1 when we signed Mahrez and that shouldnt be forgotten.

 

[BlueDeadHead]

So why do you think Pep was still looking at Jorginho and Fred?

He looked at Fred in January as a way of keeping Dinho fresh for the CL. In January we were competing in 4 competitions and didn't have a ton of depth at DM. Its also a position we would PREFER to upgrade (if you look at all of our positions that is one that is relatively weak--2 players that are great but one is aging and the other is injury prone). Fred was the choice for January because he was technically available (Jorginho wasn't) and he could be a good short term and long tern solution.

As soon as February arrived we started thinking about this summer and shifted to our first choice Jorginho (if he was available we would have gone for him in January). He didn't work out so we will see who else is available.

The think is though, I don't think there is much available RIGHT NOW that is better than Gundogan. He isn't the best in the world at DM but he certainly can do the job in a Pep team IMO. When we identify someone better (like Jorginho) we will try to get him, but my point is we have the ability to be selective because what we have is still damn good.

 

[BlueDeadHead]

Since missing on DM's I've given this alot of thought and I think your right....signing Mahrez actually upgraded 2 positions as it will allow Bernardo to move inside. Seeing him at CM during the WC showed we have just seen the tip of the iceberg with his play so far. I have concerns about the DM role like many others but do think we got a 2 for 1 when we signed Mahrez and that shouldnt be forgotten.

Yep...the dominoes from that move mean that Gundogan is ALWAYS available for DM and the dominoes from Mendy being back is that Delph is usually available as well. That is a big change from last year.

 

[roy.or.r]

He looked at Fred in January as a way of keeping Dinho fresh for the CL. In January we were competing in 4 competitions and didn't have a ton of depth at DM. Its also a position we would PREFER to upgrade (if you look at all of our positions that is one that is relatively weak--2 players that are great but one is aging and the other is injury prone). Fred was the choice for January because he was technically available (Jorginho wasn't) and he could be a good short term and long tern solution.

As soon as February arrived we started thinking about this summer and shifted to our first choice Jorginho (if he was available we would have gone for him in January). He didn't work out so we will see who else is available.

The think is though, I don't think there is much available RIGHT NOW that is better than Gundogan. He isn't the best in the world at DM but he certainly can do the job in a Pep team IMO. When we identify someone better (like Jorginho) we will try to get him, but my point is we have the ability to be selective because what we have is still damn good.

Fair enough. I think we should have closed the Jorginho deal before signing Mahrez as the DM position is more vital than the RW one. But thats past now.

 

[Withnail]

I think its a big risk to go into the season without another central midfielder that can play Ferna's role....I keep seeing Ilky's name and he undoubtedly offers more going forward than Ferna bu defensively he is shocking. For a professional footballer his tackling is non existent. For most games we will get away with it but int he games that really count I wouldn't have him in there at all

We need someone else

In the games that count eg Dippers, Rags and latter stages CL Dhino will play. I would prefer another DM to be brought in, but not just anyone it needs to be the right fit.

 

[Dribble]

Fair enough. I think we should have closed the Jorginho deal before signing Mahrez as the DM position is more vital than the RW one. But thats past now.

We have the same issues on the wings as we have CDM. We have little or no cover. Mahrez is as important an addition to us as a CDM IMO.

 

[cityzennn93:20]

He looked at Fred in January as a way of keeping Dinho fresh for the CL. In January we were competing in 4 competitions and didn't have a ton of depth at DM. Its also a position we would PREFER to upgrade (if you look at all of our positions that is one that is relatively weak--2 players that are great but one is aging and the other is injury prone). Fred was the choice for January because he was technically available (Jorginho wasn't) and he could be a good short term and long tern solution.

As soon as February arrived we started thinking about this summer and shifted to our first choice Jorginho (if he was available we would have gone for him in January). He didn't work out so we will see who else is available.

The think is though, I don't think there is much available RIGHT NOW that is better than Gundogan. He isn't the best in the world at DM but he certainly can do the job in a Pep team IMO. When we identify someone better (like Jorginho) we will try to get him, but my point is we have the ability to be selective because what we have is still damn good.

thiago,pjanic, kovacic, weigl and ndombele are all available im not having that. there wont be this much quality midfielders available next summer. ony guys who are better than whats on that list are unavailable like busquets and kante.

 

[BlueDeadHead]

thiago,pjanic, kovacic, weigl and ndombele are all available im not having that. there wont be this much quality midfielders available next summer. ony guys who are better than whats on that list are unavailable like busquets and kante.

only thiago an pjanic are better than gundogan and not by much. Weigl and Kovacic may be some day. But you are right...that is the list (with De Jong).

 

[M12Blue]

Anyone who watches academy know if someone waiting in the wings to step up