What Is lacking?

[JoeD]

It explains why we lost on Saturday which is what to OP refers to. Sterling clean through early on and tackled himself. A complete inability to break the lines from midfield and KDB constantly found himself in advance of a ball that was lost and didn't even attempt to recover. Gundogan, Mahrez and Bernado all incapable of getting beyond an initial challenge with a burst if pace, as Foden does continually. Zinchenko left stranded and actually gave up chasing his man for Chelsea's goal. Can I suggest you study the game rather than deny what actually happened. We were out thought and out fought in every department. We have for a long time been able to hide our mobility and pace issues with quality possession. Unfortunately the cats out of the bag and we will, unless we rethink personnel, be regularly found out.

Incidentally West Brom put 5 past that Chelsea team in April. In 3 games since we've barely mustered 5 shots. We have fundamental problems that are now clearly visible.

What a load of tosh.

 

[KS55]

Since the take over, we have won the title 5 times, the cup twice, about 6 league cups (I'm losing count) and produced some brilliant football, breaking records left right and center. So we lost a cup final. So what?
Come on guys, disappointing but we can't win them all.
Be happy.

 

[wolviedinho]

Since the take over, we have won the title 5 times, the cup twice, about 6 league cups (I'm losing count) and produced some brilliant football, breaking records left right and center. So we lost a cup final. So what?
Come on guys, disappointing but we can't win them all.
Be happy.

We will have a better chance to win the champions league next season with a new midfielder and forward. We are not going anywhere so let’s get back in the trenches with the players and manager. Kick on into a blue future.

 

[GoatersLeftShin]

I think it's pretty clear what is lacking, a goalscorer who is as good as Aguero. I think it shows Pep's genius that we managed to win what we did and get as far as we did without a striker.

Of course, I can imagine there will have been nerves for the players in the final though. It's the biggest game of their careers and it's not just City who can sometimes not turn up. Remember Brazil v Germany? here will be plenty of examples like this where the occasion gets the better of a team.

I would be amazed if the Sheikh isn't on the phone now trying to get either Kane or Haaland signed up. Pep hasn't signed the contract extension to work around having no players coming in. We've not really bought big for a while and if Kane and Haaland are available, we absolutely will be right in there.

If we had a striker as clinical as Kane for example, we could be adding 35-40 goals a season extra. That changes everything.

I honestly think Kane is a done deal. He wants to win trophies and the way we're playing he can probably get 10 in the next 5-6 years.

 

[Jesus2020]

I think it's pretty clear what is lacking, a goalscorer who is as good as Aguero. I think it shows Pep's genius that we managed to win what we did and get as far as we did without a striker.

Of course, I can imagine there will have been nerves for the players in the final though. It's the biggest game of their careers and it's not just City who can sometimes not turn up. Remember Brazil v Germany? here will be plenty of examples like this where the occasion gets the better of a team.

I would be amazed if the Sheikh isn't on the phone now trying to get either Kane or Haaland signed up. Pep hasn't signed the contract extension to work around having no players coming in. We've not really bought big for a while and if Kane and Haaland are available, we absolutely will be right in there.

If we had a striker as clinical as Kane for example, we could be adding 35-40 goals a season extra. That changes everything.

I honestly think Kane is a done deal. He wants to win trophies and the way we're playing he can probably get 10 in the next 5-6 years.

I feel that Kane scores 9 out of 10 chances that Sterling and Jesus miss.

 

[1.618034]

Is the answer, perspective?

 

[LittleblueLever]

Think we need to get rid of a lot of dead wood. We know who they are as I’m sure Pep does. We should then make two purchases. Grealish and Haaland. The Holy Grail has gone so we should concentrate on winning the premiership. The Holy Grail might just follow with those two buys.

 

[B\connellblue]

Think we need to get rid of a lot of dead wood. We know who they are as I’m sure Pep does. We should then make two purchases. Grealish and Haaland. The Holy Grail has gone so we should concentrate on winning the premiership. The Holy Grail might just follow with those two buys.

Or get rid of whoever was responsible for buying the said deadwood lest he should buy more.

 

[GoatersLeftShin]

I really like Grealish as a player and think he is superb. I think he can become a world class player with the right coach, which we have. The only doubt I have though is where he would play in our team. I don't necessarily see him replacing anyone in our midfield.

If we do have £200m or so to spend, I'd rather bring in a world class striker (Kane or Haaland) and then maybe a backup.

 

[GoatersLeftShin]

Or get rid of whoever was responsible for buying the said deadwood lest he should buy more.

When we say "deadwood", I am presuming you're talking about Mendy, Sterling and Jesus?

We paid £50m for Sterling and about £28m. If we sell these two players we're very likely to get £80m for Sterling and around £50m for Jesus. That's left us with a pretty nice profit and both players have definitely contributed to the trophy haul.

Mendy has basically had career ending injuries. There's literally nothing the club can do if the player gets badly injured and can't come back to the player he was. I feel incredibly sorry for him as he could've been one of the best left backs in the world. I'm sure we'd struggle to get a fee for him, but luckily the £50m profit we'd make on Sterling and Jesus would cover that.

I think we need to keep the people who've bought the "deadwood" :)