Dunno.
I entirely agree on your initial point about Boateng and Godin, I'm saying most wouldn't. Boateng is actually my favourite CB in the world, but he's too mistake-prone. Godin definitely is a top 3 cb, I only highlighted him by saying that Silva's absence was noteworthy (perhaps not clearly, I'm still half-asleep in bed!). So to clarify: not many would agree about the assessment on Boateng (as much as I personally disagree), and while Godin is elite, he's not the best CB in the world, as was suggested.
That's probably it. They desperately need an absolutely world class centre back as a quick solution to a problem that has been a massive sore spot and a huge money drain over the past few seasons. Thiago Silva would fit the type of player Pep will be looking for, but is older and plays for a club that has absolutely no interest in selling while Chiellini and Godin are both older than Bonucci and more pure defenders, rather than ball-players. Bayern won't sell Boateng to anyone, Boateng probably doesn't want to go back anyway and Pep can't actually sign Bayern players to City as part of a contractual agreement, so that's extremely out of the question. Who else is left?
Good post. You've summed up the position City find themselves in pretty well
Notice the word "clearly" in my comment - I don't think that what Silva did in the last few years undoubtedly justifies a place ahead of Bonucci in my personal ranking. He is still in my top 5 though.
re: "strange". After your comment there are three that disagrees with you/put Bonucci in their top lists. And no one apart from you says that Chiellini is better. So who are those many (you aside) who will consider my opinion strange?
I think Kompany will play less than 10 matches next season and will call it quits next spring.
If you're right, that just further increases City's need for a top quality CB. If Kompany's injury situation is bleak, that would go a long way towards explaining the money being offered for Bonucci.
It was just a reply to a post saying Bonucci would pair up with Kompany if he joined City. We’re definitely still short on CBs, Jones & Rojo the 2rd and 4th option.
Good post but I'll just correct this bit as it's untrue. Pep signed following his contract expiring, so when would this clause have been inserted, even discounting any validity it would have? Bayern's CEO (I think that was the position) confirmed the rumour to be false. Plus, this is Bayern Munich, they are perfectly capable of telling City to feck off and we'd have a hard time persuading any of their regulars to join us.
Pirlo and Vidal both left during the same window did they not? One for free, sure. But despite Pirlo leaving on a free, they sold Vidal after that. Both those players were no less important than Pogba and Bonucci. An argument can be made that they were even more important. Did Tevez not alse leave that same window? Might be wrong on that one though.
I think it's a little different as Pirlo was getting older and they were looking to move forward from him, iirc they were resting him more and more in his final season. Vidal had some off the field issues and there were doubts over his knee (or some recurring injury) so it was easier for Juventus to move those two on than it would be Pogba and Bonucci. I think the money they'd get from Bonucci would help them fight off suitors for Pogba as well (imo).
Definitely an incredible pair of centre backs. But Kompany is so injury prone, hopefully he's paired with Otamendi more often than not if he signs and he'll find a way to cock things up.
You could very well be right, surely it'd make them less reluctant. But losing Tevez, Vidal and Pirlo in the same window for frees and not a record amount (Vidal) would have been a lot more palatable than losing Pogba and Bonucci for £160m. They could do so much with that money. And Pogba seems destined to move on, if not now then soon.
Yeah that's a very good point. If Pogba pushes for a move then it will be very difficult for Juventus to hold on to him, while Pogba is a class player, if I was the manager at Juventus I would rather lose Pogba than Bonucci. Bonucci is the youngest of their three main starting CB's, and his skillset would be very hard to replace. Pogba is brilliant but if they get upwards of 80m for him, I'd sell.
Yeah, no way they sell unless Pogba asks for the move. I actually think with the money theyd get for him, theyll genuinely be better off.
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You see I was of the opinion that Bonucci was their best CB too. Then I went to Italy and stayed with my friend, and his manic Juve-following family. They seemed very knowledgeable, and I was constantly shut down. Their idea was as follows: Bonucci is arguably the most vital to the 3 man back line, given he is the ball player, but he's not the "best" of the three. Naturally I had to see for myself, so I followed Juve a bit more, and I tend to agree. I'm not doubting his ability to adapt, or his ability at all in fact. I'm just putting Chiellini and Barzagli above, or at least in the same tier.
But it just might. Pogba is young and it's not like his value will go down in the next 2-3 years. If they get 60m for Bonucci, they can re-invest in the squad and really go for CL over the next 2 seasons and still get the Pogba money.
What! Without winning the quadruple!
It would be hilarious if City spent big money on Boateng after letting him go as a young player. How we'd all laugh at them!!!
Same situation come be happening at ManUtd.
This. If signing Pogba means Bonucci stays at Juve then it's a sweetener to the Pogba arrival. Would quite happily take both of them for United any day of the week.
Italian defenders dont really work in England because they are used to defending deep. Guardiola plays a high line so I can see Bonucci definitely taking time to adapt.
We used to have a transfer gossip section on our website - might still do.
Is he? There is a very strong argument that he isn't the best ball playing CB in his team now.
Alongside Xhaka, he made the most successful long passes in the tournament (11.5 per game). Most people could see that from watching the Euros.
They've started last season with 3-5-2 and lost first 2 games. After that Allegri changed formation to 4-4-2 and their early season crisis unfolded. In last weeks of November he switched it back to 3-5-2 setup and since then they've never looked back.
