Yep. Buying players to fit the system, instead of big names.
Hard to knock City in terms of midfield players. They don't sign many busts. Think he'd be decent for them.
Kalvin Phillips
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Hard to knock City in terms of midfield players. They don't sign many busts. Think he'd be decent for them.
Not good enough for the caf, but Klopp and Guardiola like him 
Wouldn’t Kalvin Philips be the kind of heavy pressing, high stamina box to box midfield harrier that would be perfect alongside De Jong ? I’d much rather we get players in to play the system ETH wants us to play instead of expensive superstars and play as a team of individuals.
I’m not saying that Philips is necessarily the answer or the best signing but look at what Klopp has done at Liverpool with playing the likes of Henderson, Milner, Keira, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jones where they’re all hard workers that fit his system over being world stars.
I’m not saying that Philips is necessarily the answer or the best signing but look at what Klopp has done at Liverpool with playing the likes of Henderson, Milner, Keira, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jones where they’re all hard workers that fit his system over being world stars.
I don't Liverpool's is the model to follow. Their system lies heavily on creativity from fullbacks and a brilliant front three, so they can afford the midfield to be merely high octane. We don't have the same creative output from either our front line or backline, so we need our midfield to create and be influential both from a physical and technical standpoint.
would take Henderson's place as the teams clear weak link
What you want next to De Jong is a more positionally sound, solid player who won't vacate the midfield. Phillips runs all over the place, he isn't a "cover" or "stay stable" sort of midfielder. De Jong loves to move with the ball from deep and go through the lines. To balance that, you need his partner to cover positionally and plug those gaps, not a box to box who will run all over the place. That's why I'm not convinced Fred would be a good partner to him (though I like Fred), and why I really don't think Phillips would either. Really I don't think there is a whole lot different between Fred and Phillips anyway. Decent players, Fred less injury prone but a worse long ball, but with better short game.
While its true that FDJ likes to roam and therefore you want a defensively disciplined player next to him, FDJ is also one of the most defensively passive central midfielders you will find. He is in the 1st percentile among big five league midfielders in tackles, 3rd percentile in pressures, 3rd percentile in blocks, 10th percentile in interceptions. And its not a system issue, because all the other Barca midfielders are far more active. So while you may want a defensive disciplined DM next to him, you also need one that is a bit of an attack dog or otherwise you end up with two CMs that just stand in spaces and don't do much else without the ball.
IMO, you could do worse than Phillips if looking for a DM that combines those qualities (disciplined but aggressive). He may have lacked a bit of discipline in Bielsa's frantic pressing system but I think those tendencies could be tamed. At the very least he has generally played as the deepest midfielder often with the responsibility of shielding the defense on his own, unlike somebody like Fred.
I don't really see it with this guy. Is he that good? Just seems a 'decent' player to me. Maybe I haven't watched him closely enough.
A very good qiestion
It is better for him to go to these 2 clubs anyway, but he needs to adapt quick and at his very best to earn his starting spot there. He is a number 6 sitting in front of back 4.Not good enough for the caf, but Klopp and Guardiola like him
So basically a Declan Rice ? Although that said I’ve seen countless people on here say that Rice just sits and holds position so would be no good for De Jong as De Jong needs a high intensity press machine/box to box harrier alongside him ?
Not necessarily, though Rice is also quality so it would work well. It's a plus to have that energy, but for their playstyle to be more controlled positionally speaking. A box to box harrier next to De Jong would just depend on how good they are defensively. Sure peak Kante would work, but when I see De Jong, I don't think of a random box to box as what he needs. Look at Ajax or Netherlands. Ajax used Schone who would just be controlled and sit in the position. Netherlands use Klaasan around him right now, or Koopmeiners. They are much more controlled and just "stable" midfielders. I keep going back to Scholes, or Verratti... Who would you want to partner them? A wild box to box who has a lot of energy but shit positioning? Or a controlled player who can just keep things stable to plug the gaps when the playmaker moves around the pitch.
After his display for England tonight - please, no
To think one or two were of the opinion he's a better player than Rice. There is no way in this universe we concede like that with a proper defensive midfielder.
He's just a workhorse isn't he. Not great at anything except pressing.
He's just a workhorse isn't he. Not great at anything except pressing.
He played like McTominay's most ardent critics think he plays every week.
He would never join us. Besides, City are after him.
He’s exceptional at pressing and switching play. I’d have thought Klopp would want him rather than Pep.
Your England player of the year, ladies and gents.
Captain average. If City sign him let's not play the game of pretending they've signed a top player.
I know it's a glorified friendly tournament, but I expected more pride from him. Getting humiliated at home in NT shirt is not a nice experience. And then relegation is a thing in Nation's League.
Imagine a midfield of him and McFred. City can afford water carriers like him, we can't.
Hope City sign him.
Said it before, a damning indictment on our clueless scouting department that he was considered the serious long term contender.
Said it before, a damning indictment on our clueless scouting department that he was considered the serious long term contender.
He was absolutely terrible. It’s not even just the mistake, he could not pass.
Couldn't lace Henderson's boots.
Thank feck for that.
Funny how these 'Leeds through and through' types could never move to Manchester United, since that's the ultimate cardinal sin, wars of the roses etc. But hey Manchester City, thats fair game.
Will he even play?
Good signing for City in my view.
It's not that easy to find players who can play that pivot 6 in their system and its especially hard to find one who can do it at an acceptable level but also is happy to be a backup to Rodri.
It's not that easy to find players who can play that pivot 6 in their system and its especially hard to find one who can do it at an acceptable level but also is happy to be a backup to Rodri.
Reasonable fee that.
I do like the idea of getting good cover for Rodri at that price with the homegrown status that comes with it. I’m sure he’ll play his part in the squad. I’d be lying if I said I knew whether he’s that good or not..
What's with the fee being so low? He only signed a new contract the other day.
It’s good news.
£45m for an absolute bog standard midfield player.
Unlimited funds and keep getting bargains.
Cheating cnuts.
Cheating cnuts.
Not sure that’s a great move for him personally - will be difficult to be in the England first team if only a back up player and can’t see him displacing Rodri. Of course will be great for his bank balance …
Leeds hate Man United only. Man City are basically irrelevant to every club and the only club they care about is Man United.
Yes great news and leave De Jong alone for us
City's CEO told some lads down the pub that they only have a budget of £120m this summer. Leeds fell for it
another Great signing for them to go with the rest.
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