Gentleman Jim
It's absolutely amazing! Perfect even.
Now that their new kit is launched for the forthcoming season and players are about to leave and new ones arrive I think a new thread is due.
Ederson, Bravo
Walker, Danilo (or Cancelo)
Stones, Laporte, Otamendi, Fernandinho
Zinchenko, Mendy, Angelino
Rodri, Gundogan
De Bruyne, D. Silva, Foden
Sterling, Bernardo, Sane, Mahrez
Aguero, Jesus
You're signing that 35 year old keeper from La Liga too I believe. How you getting around the homegrown rules? I thought it was 8 minimum?Squad for the season likely to be (homegrown in bold):
The quality of the league & especially the top 6 is likely to be even worse than last season. They should win the league quite easily next season. Wouldn't expect them to get LC & FAC runs as easy as last season so don't see them doing the domestic treble.Hopefully they win the league again because we certainly aren't going to.
By idiots.The quality of the league & especially the top 6 is likely to be even worse than last season. They should win the league quite easily next season. Wouldn't expect them to get LC & FAC runs as easy as last season so don't see them doing the domestic treble.
It's a huge & highly pressurized season coming for them though & will likely be the end of this golden period they've had. This will in all probability be Pep's last year due to burn out & the current investigations. The CL will be the priority. If he doesn't win it then his time at City would have to be deemed a failure.
We then have the conclusion of the various investigations against them. If things don't go their way it cut's their current business model off at the knees. No European football, no top coach & having to spend according to their genuine revenue could see the whole foundations crumble. Interesting times.
The rule is there has to be a maximum of 17 non-homegrown players. They can have as few homegrown players as they want (maximum of 8), but reducing squad size isn't ideal if you have injury problems.You're signing that 35 year old keeper from La Liga too I believe. How you getting around the homegrown rules? I thought it was 8 minimum?
There is no such thing as a homegrown minimum, only a non-homegrown maximum of 17. Regarding Riesgo, I think if Bravo is still recovering he will simply be left out of the squad at least for the first half of the season. I don't see why Pep would need two 35-year-old back-up keepers otherwise.You're signing that 35 year old keeper from La Liga too I believe. How you getting around the homegrown rules? I thought it was 8 minimum?
By idiots and NAMCO.
There's really no other way to put it.
Just wondering why Pep wasnt in for DeLigt? He seems like the perfect defender for City and the price is affordable. Is Maguire really that much better?Just a brief update about ins and outs.
Out
Vincent Kompany-contract expired, now Anderlecht Manager
Danilo, Nicolas Otamendi, Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gundogan are either unsettled or nearing end of contract so are possibilities to go.
David Silva has announced that this will be his last season.
In
Rodrigo Hernandez of Atletico Madrid looks certain to join as a holding midfielder as City are willing to meet the release clause and the player seems keen to come.
Joao Cancello of Juventus may be signed if Danilo leaves but Bayern are hovering (as usual).
Angelino looks likely to return to the club as he’s been outstanding for PSV Eindhoven and City can exercise a £12m buyback clause. He was a good Academy player but was sold with the clause and has come on a ton since. He’s an all-action LB/LWB who can cover the position where we currently have permacrock Ben Mendy and converted midfielder Oleks Zinchenko.
Price was affordable, the bolt ons weren't.Just wondering why Pep wasnt in for DeLigt? He seems like the perfect defender for City and the price is affordable. Is Maguire really that much better?
Definitely need a new centre back to partner Laporte.There is no such thing as a homegrown minimum, only a non-homegrown maximum of 17. Regarding Riesgo, I think if Bravo is still recovering he will simply be left out of the squad at least for the first half of the season. I don't see why Pep would need two 35-year-old back-up keepers otherwise.
GK Ederson, Bravo or Riesgo
RB Walker, Danilo or Cancelo
CB Stones, Laporte, Otamendi
LB Angeliño, Mendy, Zinchenko
DM Rodrigo, Fernandinho
AM Foden, De Bruyne, Silva, Gündoğan
RW Bernardo, Mahrez
LW Sterling, Sané
CF Agüero, Jesus
Angeliño is club-trained and Foden is still eligible for the B-List (U21), as are the likes of Grimshaw, Muric, Eric García and Douglas Luiz (subject to work permit). No place for Mangala and Sandler. Delph is leaving, right? In that case, there is still place for one association-trained homegrown player and three club-trained ones if needed.
I think we'll be using Fernandinho as a CB this season. Not as his main position, but in a "needs must" capacity.Definitely need a new centre back to partner Laporte.
Maybe. Laporte, Stones, Otamendi & Fernandinho just looks a little light for a team wanting to win the Champions League for me.I think we'll be using Fernandinho as a CB this season. Not as his main position, but in a "needs must" capacity.
Given that most of their players are in (or entering) their prime, that's a good thing. Wouldn't be surprised if they amassed 98-100 pts again.I think they will have a more normal season next year, maybe 85-90 points. Their side will be one year older, Pep may be getting his 4th year itch to move on, and they don't look like they will be making too many new additions.
I do think they will win the league, but I can see it being their last for a few years.
You're signing that 35 year old keeper from La Liga too I believe. How you getting around the homegrown rules? I thought it was 8 minimum?
Sure. I mean De Bruyne will play more, Sterling, Aguero, Bernado Silva Mandy, aaaaand it's gone. They'll stroll towards 95 pts again. Teams don't even tryI think they will have a more normal season next year, maybe 85-90 points. Their side will be one year older, Pep may be getting his 4th year itch to move on, and they don't look like they will be making too many new additions.
I do think they will win the league, but I can see it being their last for a few years.
You're signing that 35 year old keeper from La Liga too I believe. How you getting around the homegrown rules? I thought it was 8 minimum?
If one of the two players you refer to as a lightweight, expensive flop under Pellegrini is KDB then I think you've been out in the sun too long. He was superb in his first season at City-Pellegrini's last-and less so in his second (Peps 4th place in PL Fraudiola season).Bonucci linked today.
Too early to speculate, but assuming that Rodri arrives, whilst hoping that Foden continues to progress, then the squad will start to look younger.
Each season is different so no bold predictions from me. However, the Copa America and African Cup of Nations will undoubtedly lead to a slow, gradual start for many players from both City and Liverpool.
Had to laugh when an earlier poster suggested that Guardiola might be a flop if City don't win the Champions League, when in reality, the reason that we're one of the favourites, is the dramatic progress that Sterling, De Bruyne, and Bernardo Silva have all made under his personal tuition.(two of those players were lightweight, expensive flops under the previous incumbent).
Mendy still remains the enigmatic, (bordering on social media idiot), expensive Full Back, who has somehow won a World Cup and two Premier League Medals, despite hardly kicking a ball.
He is also a brilliant, attacking option, so for the moment, we'll have to wait and see.
Sorry, I should have attached quotation marks.If one of the two players you refer to as a lightweight, expensive flop under Pellegrini is KDB then I think you've been out in the sun too long. He was superb in his first season at City-Pellegrini's last-and less so in his second (Peps 4th place in PL Fraudiola season).
What difference does it make? 40 mil is nothing to Man City.Ridiculous transfer. Was only 20m for Atletico last season and now City are buying him for 60m. Idiots, should have been more proactive last season.
...
On the bench. He can cover multiple positions full back, centre back, midfieldHow does Aké fit in when Laporte is a cert starter?
We lost Kompany and Otamendi is horrendous these days. He's cover.How does Aké fit in when Laporte is a cert starter?
white text.What difference does it make? 40 mil is nothing to Man City.
On the bench. He can cover multiple positions full back, centre back, midfield
He shouldn't move then. He should be targeting a starter berth wherever he moves.We lost Kompany and Otamendi is horrendous these days. He's cover.
Maybe he is confidant that he can win a first team place. He won't get a move to a club as good as Man City and walk into the first team.He shouldn't move then. He should be targeting a starter berth wherever he moves.
Yes, you can't blame him for backing himself. These guys operate on a different mentality, that's partly what makes them who they are but he's good enough to nail down a place at a tier 2 club and given his age, a tier 1 move can be earnt later. I won't blame him for taking his chances but just don't think it'd be wiseMaybe he is confidant that he can win a first team place. He won't get a move to a club as good as Man City and walk into the first team.
S’OK mate no hassle.Sorry, I should have attached quotation marks.
I was referring to the media perception of KDB and Sterling, as they certainly weren't regarded as World Class until 17/18 (KDB) and 18/19 (Sterling).
I believe "Fraudiola" was also spawned from ignorant media ridicule.
I personally think he'd be great for Man United but sadly he does not fit Ole Gunnar Farage's particular preferences.Yes, you can't blame him for backing himself. These guys operate on a different mentality, that's partly what makes them who they are but he's good enough to nail down a place at a tier 2 club and given his age, a tier 1 move can be earnt later. I won't blame him for taking his chances but just don't think it'd be wise
Yeah I'd say so. I wouldn't turn down a player of his quality as a squad player though.He shouldn't move then. He should be targeting a starter berth wherever he moves.
Pep doesn’t like the “twin pivots” formation so I can only see them playing together if Dinho is started at CB or on the very rare occasion that he wants to keep things tight (eg Anfield or NWHL last season).For people who've actually seen Rodri play, does this mean he'll compete with Fernandinho for a starting slot in most games or could the two of them form a partnership in the centre of midfield? I could only foresee the latter in the 'tougher' games, especially in Europe, as I can't see Pep sacrificing a more attacking player to accommodate those two on a regular basis.