Topic: General Manchester City thread

[Red_Irishman]

Walker is a decent player, nothing more. More capable than Clyne but there isn't much in it. There's no justifying that fee for a full back. It's crazy.

[surfer. Fuck you generator.]

Walker is a decent to good level player made to look excellent by Poch's setup. Hopefully he's back to his lesser guise under Pep's innovations.

[Purple Red]

Walker is a decent to good level player made to look excellent by Poch's setup. Hopefully he's back to his lesser guise under Pep's innovations.

When there are already question marks hanging over your defensive recruitment Kyle Walker is not the player I'd opt to sign. Especially not for that fee.

[Xxavi]

When there are already question marks hanging over your defensive recruitment Kyle Walker is not the player I'd opt to sign. Especially not for that fee.

But who then? I am genuinely asking because Barca have been struggling to replace Dani Alves with a top quality CB.

World football has about 2-3 of them, not counting Alves himself, who is frankly too old for a lengthy contract and wages he wants. Carvajal is probably the best, none of ManU, Chelsea, Arsenal, ManCity and Liverpool have a world class RB.

[Purple Red]

But who then? I am genuinely asking because Barca have been struggling to replace Dani Alves with a top quality CB.

World football has about 2-3 of them, not counting Alves himself, who is frankly too old for a lengthy contract and wages he wants. Carvajal is probably the best, none of ManU, Chelsea, Arsenal, ManCity and Liverpool have a world class RB.

I agree that there is a scarcity of quality full backs in the game in general. I just wouldn't want Walker in my team even if he coat a fifth of that sum.

[clinical]

Ł50m for walker

Madness even in today's market he's not even that good.

[PeterTheRed ...]

But who then? I am genuinely asking because Barca have been struggling to replace Dani Alves with a top quality CB.

World football has about 2-3 of them, not counting Alves himself, who is frankly too old for a lengthy contract and wages he wants. Carvajal is probably the best, none of ManU, Chelsea, Arsenal, ManCity and Liverpool have a world class RB.

For Guardiola's setup, probably Bellerin. Although I really like Cedric, who might be an even better fit.

[Ashburton]

Ł50m for walker

Madness even in today's market he's not even that good.

My first reaction was actually a little depressed that this is what the beautiful game has turned in to.  Ł50m for a bang average right back with a bit of pace in him.

Just shows that the City owners' attempt to buy the CL has taken a more desperate edge to it, they know Guardiola is a 'short project' guy.  If they don't drop serious money wherever he needs it, they can kiss goodbye to both the manager, and start another rebuilding job..

[OOS]

It's mental they are selling Iheanacho. Probably one of the best 20 year olds in the world.

[Xxavi]

For Guardiola's setup, probably Bellerin. Although I really like Cedric, who might be an even better fit.

Given how heavily Barca were linked with him, I desperately wanted Bellerin to succeed and imagine impress. Unfortunately, he is just nowhere near good enough. He can run alright, nothing else is impressive from him. Was happy with Barca's decision not to sign him.

[Thats So Dimitar]

Walker is a decent player, nothing more. More capable than Clyne but there isn't much in it. There's no justifying that fee for a full back. It's crazy.

It's easily justified actually. Outside of the fact that since last season your average transfer has sky-rocketed there are a ton of other factors.

First of all they are buying from a direct rival which is almost enough in and of itself.

Second as mentioned good fullbacks are scarce and Walker at the very least has been the best RB in the league ( I think the best in the league, but I am a Spurs fan so bound to be at least a little bias there) so it ups the price again.

Third it is a position that is widely known to be a huge need for City, one of the most glaring decifencies in their team and they had already missed out on their top target Alves.

Fourth, they need home-grown players and ones that can actually contribute. Not ones like Rodwell and shit who are literally there for the sole purpose of filling their quota.

Fifth, they are known to be stacked with money and able to find more at a whim through a new "sponsorship".

Lastly, despite the stadium, we don't need to sell. I'm sure it will be nice to fund our transfers with a sale and stick whatever budget we had for them on a loan instead, it's not like if we don't sell we won't be able to afford it.

This is a bad transfer for City because no fullback who has played under Poch has been as good once they left as they were under him. The season Poch came in Rose was hated by most of our fans, genuinely hated. Now he is easily the best left back in the league. I'd say the chance of Walker maintaining his level at City is very low and I hope that doesn't come back to bite me lol.

[Goalposts for Jumpers]

But who then? I am genuinely asking because Barca have been struggling to replace Dani Alves with a top quality CB.

World football has about 2-3 of them, not counting Alves himself, who is frankly too old for a lengthy contract and wages he wants. Carvajal is probably the best, none of ManU, Chelsea, Arsenal, ManCity and Liverpool have a world class RB.

Joao Cancelo would be my choice.

But, you're right, City need a RB, they need him to be English. The best option around is Kyle Walker, so for city it makes perfect sense. I'm of the opinion that Spurs should've held out for more actually.

[Nick110581]

Financial Fair Play 😂😂😂

[Purple Red]

Financial Fair Play 😂😂😂

How is that even meant to work again? They introduced those rules and the fees have only got bigger. Now to slink back to the ASSHAT to cheer on our Ł70M tussle for Naby Keita...

[TepidT2O]

Looking at Paul Tomkins transfer inflation index, Walker is actually cheaper than Glenn Johnson.

He works out at around Ł52m

I think it's a fair price, its the market.  Still can't understand why Spurs are selling though

[Dim Glas]

Looking at Paul Tomkins transfer inflation index, Walker is actually cheaper than Glenn Johnson.

He works out at around Ł52m

I think it's a fair price, its the market.  Still can't understand why Spurs are selling though

cos he wanted to leave?

[Dim Glas]

The transfer market in England is bonkers. Swansea have rejected a 40m pounds bid for their player. So if you think about Walker transfer this way, it's understandable. Also, I think ManCity are now FORCED to sign English players, they have almost none in their squad.

Otherwise, it's hard to understand the fee paid. They really, really overpaid.

I can only sympathize with Guardiola. Barca have been looking for a right back, and there aren't many good ones available. Bellerin, who seems like a limited runner, would cost more than 60-70m. And Arsenal don't even want to sell him, he'd be sold only if he forces his way out. The alternative we found is an unproven kid from Benfica. This is not a question of money, there just aren't enough top quality players available for all.

yeah I am sure we all really feel for him 
It must be so tough!

Sometimes coaches just have to either make do with what they have for a while and adapt (see Liverpool with Milner last season), or sometimes be a bit more creative in their business. There are other ways. But of course, with an open chequbook the easiest way is just to pay a shit ton of money every time.

[Xxavi]

yeah I am sure we all really feel for him 
It must be so tough!

Sometimes coaches just have to either make do with what they have for a while and adapt (see Liverpool with Milner last season), or sometimes be a bit more creative in their business. There are other ways. But of course, with an open chequbook the easiest way is just to pay a shit ton of money every time.

There are other ways, I agree, but given how impatient the clubs and fans are these days, most managers don't see "other ways" of being successful. Guardiola in his time was an anomaly, no Barca and Madrid manager sold stars and decided to replace them with youth players in recent times, for example.

If a club, media and fans are more accepting, managers will gamble on youth, like Klopp did at Borussia D. However, nowadays, even he is going for $$$ signings. In England, everybody had enough of that (Arsene Wenger) approach. Still though, if a manager came out and said this is his vision, and asked patience from the fans, I think that manager can get 1-2 years. Chelsea had (have?) a lot of talented young players in their academy, however, nobody is willing to bet on them.

PS I disagree with the "other ways" you described, i.e., signing the likes of Milner. To me, that is the worst kind of business that AC Milan have practiced for years and became an average club.

[PeterTheRed ...]

Looking at Paul Tomkins transfer inflation index, Walker is actually cheaper than Glenn Johnson.

He works out at around Ł52m

I think it's a fair price, its the market.  Still can't understand why Spurs are selling though

They already have a very good replacement in Trippier, and getting Ł50+ million for a decent fullback is always a good idea, especially when you are building a new stadium.

[elsewhere]

I've heard Pochettino and Walker had a few arguments in training and afterwards Pochettino preferred Trippier.

[Xxavi]

Joao Cancelo would be my choice.

But, you're right, City need a RB, they need him to be English. The best option around is Kyle Walker, so for city it makes perfect sense. I'm of the opinion that Spurs should've held out for more actually.

I think Cancelo is a promising young player but a HUGE gamble. Paco Alcacer looked great at Valencia, too. Remember that Valencia have been relegation contenders, looking a decent young player for a relegation contender means nothing.

I think the talent is there, but after Barca spent so much on Alcacer and got burned, we couldn't simply sign another player from them. Similarly, I am not convinced at all that he would have been a better deal for ManCity. England is a different competition, and it is not like Cancelo would cost much cheaper. I'd imagine Valencia would ask at least 35m+ for him.

[clinical]

They're just a bit fucking plastic, aren't they?

[[new username under construction]]

They're just a bit fucking plastic, aren't they?

And I think we can close the thread there

[SandyShore]

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/man-city-pep-guardiola-contract-13335986

Genius 300m this year almost 200 last, will easily spend a billion in his time there? Wonder if he will ever pick a real challenging job..nah probably Psg next.

[TepidT2O]

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/man-city-pep-guardiola-contract-13335986

Genius 300m this year almost 200 last, will easily spend a billion in his time there? Wonder if he will ever pick a real challenging job..nah probably Psg next.

Barca was challenging to be fair.. not in the way of most clubs, but more than city...

Having Alves, Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Mascherano, etc did make things perhaps a little easier though

[elsewhere]

They're just a bit fucking plastic, aren't they?

I will say much more than "a bit" 

[JD.]

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/man-city-pep-guardiola-contract-13335986

Genius 300m this year almost 200 last, will easily spend a billion in his time there? Wonder if he will ever pick a real challenging job..nah probably Psg next.

This is why English football is so far behind. Attitudes like this to people like Pep Guardiola.

[Skeeve]

This is why English football is so far behind. Attitudes like this to people like Pep Guardiola.

What attitude, that manager's shouldn't be lauded as a genius just for being able to spend shitloads of money?

He is obviously a great coach, but he is also clearly overhyped too.

[davidlpool1982]

This is why English football is so far behind. Attitudes like this to people like Pep Guardiola.

Or it could be people genuinely think he's managed 3 mega rich clubs, who could and usually would out spend anyone in their respective leagues and most of the time would result in him bagging a ton of trophies. I'm not saying I wouldn't want him as a Liverpool manager, of course I fucking would and would happily walk on broken glass to seal the deal if we were managerless and he were willing to come, but he isn't without his faults and unfortunately the Premier League has a habit of showing them up more than the other leagues he's managed in.

His teams aren't awful defensively as some will have you believe, but they are the weakest part of his game, The Prem is set up well for physical teams who can dominate on set pieces and for teams quick to counter attack. You just have to look at Leicester when they won the league, that was the game plan and it fucking worked to perfection. The attacking spirit that he sends his team out there with is admirable, but it leaves them so exposed. Look at Gini's goal against them at Anfield. They went on the attack and lost the ball, we quickly transitioned the ball wide to Lallana who had lots of time and space to look up and figure out where to cross the ball in to and it was a perfect ball for a late running Gini to dominate Clichy in the air to head it in. They had that sort of problem all year. It's not that the Prem teams are better than the Spanish or German teams, but the way football is traditionally played in this country lends itself to problems for his style of play.

Warning: The above may contain heaps of bullshit to you, that just how I see it haha

[Dim Glas]

are they really going to try and sign Alexis? Isn't having De Bruyn, Jesus, Aguero, Sané, Silva, Bernado Silva, Sterling enough attacking options for their genius coach?

There comes a point where surely you just think - yeah I think we'll just about manage with these attackers.

[puroresu_kid]

are they really going to try and sign Alexis? Isn't having De Bruyn, Jesus, Aguero, Sané, Silva, Bernado Silva, Sterling enough attacking options for their genius coach?

There comes a point where surely you just think - yeah I think we'll just about manage with these attackers.

If they get Alexis I wouldn't be surprised to see Aguero sold.

Not really sure why people criticise the spending so much. He had to build his squad and the team he wants that play how he wants them too. City have the wealth, what's he supposed to says no don't buy players I'll carry on with this old aging squad.

[Skeeve]

Not really sure why people criticise the spending so much. He had to build his squad and the team he wants that play how he wants them too. City have the wealth, what's he supposed to says no don't buy players I'll carry on with this old aging squad.

Maybe people are under the mistaken impression that such a quality coach should be able to get something out of the previous 500m worth of players that City have bought in recent years and not need to entirely replace almost all of them?

[Ravishing Rick Dude]

They're just a bit fucking plastic, aren't they?

They need recycling

[Ravishing Rick Dude]

What attitude, that manager's shouldn't be lauded as a genius just for being able to spend shitloads of money?

He is obviously a great coach, but he is also clearly overhyped too.

Of course he's great,just give him Messi and he will do wonders for you.

[puroresu_kid]

Maybe people are under the mistaken impression that such a quality coach should be able to get something out of the previous 500m worth of players that City have bought in recent years and not need to entirely replace almost all of them?

That's not his responsibility.  He would of told City what his aims were and would of assessed the squad to see if he can achieve such as thing with those players. If he doesn't believe they are good enough and his bosses are prepared to let him spend to get who he wants in to replace them then that's what he should do. It was well recognized that the age of the Man City squad needed to come down significantly. If it wasnt Guardiola it would of been someone else who would get a new cycle of players in.

When you say get something out of those players what you do you mean? Win titles, champions leagues?

[Achilles Heel]

Maybe people are under the mistaken impression that such a quality coach should be able to get something out of the previous 500m worth of players that City have bought in recent years and not need to entirely replace almost all of them?

6 "Dad's Army" players out of contract all over 30, 5 of them released - Zaba, Clichy, Sagna, Navas, Caballero.  Are you saying he should have offered extensions to them?

Nolito, also over 30, gone back to Spain.

In so far Ederson, B Silva and Walker. Mendy in the next couple of days.

 

[Xxavi]

I don't think buying Alexis is a good investment for City given their glaring deficiencies in other areas. To be homest, I never thought that Alexis was that good but fair enough he has done well in England. Still, he is mot young and City are stocked in attack.

Now, let me contradict myself by saying that buying a proven quality player is always better than spending a lot on average players. Buying a defender and a midfielder just for the sake of it is not good either, so it is possible that ManCity cannot find god options for RB, LB, CB and midfield positions. They really need to replace Toure.

Whatever happened to Laporte rumors?

[puroresu_kid]

I don't think buying Alexis is a good investment for City given their glaring deficiencies in other areas. To be homest, I never thought that Alexis was that good but fair enough he has done well in England. Still, he is mot young and City are stocked in attack.

Now, let me contradict myself by saying that buying a proven quality player is always better than spending a lot on average players. Buying a defender and a midfielder just for the sake of it is not good either, so it is possible that ManCity cannot find god options for RB, LB, CB and midfield positions. They really need to replace Toure.

Whatever happened to Laporte rumors?

Don't he suffer a really bad injury last year?

You are right about just signing players for the sake of it. It's why I didn't think they bought full backs last summer as the ones they wanted were not avaliable.

[Achilles Heel]

I don't think buying Alexis is a good investment for City given their glaring deficiencies in other areas. To be homest, I never thought that Alexis was that good but fair enough he has done well in England. Still, he is mot young and City are stocked in attack.

Now, let me contradict myself by saying that buying a proven quality player is always better than spending a lot on average players. Buying a defender and a midfielder just for the sake of it is not good either, so it is possible that ManCity cannot find god options for RB, LB, CB and midfield positions. They really need to replace Toure.

Whatever happened to Laporte rumors?

Laporte did an Alves 12 months ago. All agreed and he changed his mind right at the last minute.

Yaya was great last year against 90% of teams and hence got an extension. He deserved it and on the evidence of last year is more than good enough against the majority of Premier League opposition.

Walker and Mendy were the number 1 targets for RB and LB.  Ideally looking for 2 more and hence the Alves u-turn was a disappointment.

We got a new CB at the back end of last season - Vincent Kompany. He was superb and we finished the season very strongly from a defensive point of view. Obviously his injury record is a big concern.He is good for both Otamendi and Stones. CB still a priority and 1 might come in and in that event there is talk Otamendi will go.

No mention anywhere of interest in another midfielder and I suspect that will be the big signing in 2018 as future replacement for YaYa and Dinho.

There were clear "glaring deficiencies" at times last year. This coming season is a completely different prospect and with the purchases so far the squad is already stronger by some distance than the title winning years in 2012 and 2014. Pep has no excuses for the coming season.

[Dim Glas]

If they get Alexis I wouldn't be surprised to see Aguero sold.

Not really sure why people criticise the spending so much. He had to build his squad and the team he wants that play how he wants them too. City have the wealth, what's he supposed to says no don't buy players I'll carry on with this old aging squad.

Because City, and Chelsea are a huge part of all that is wrong with the premier league, so I love to hate on then And I'm pretty unapologetic about my disdain of what Guardiola is doing there.

And it gets to the point with him and City right now, where I just think - they are spending for the sake of it - IF they bring in Alexis. It's ridiculous.  Go develop some youngsters, go give chances to some players you have already, go do some coaching or something, it's beyond parody at this point with him and City. He'll have likely spent 400 million in two summers by the end of this latest spree. There is no skill in that.