Maybe we see Mangala as one of those talents we just can't miss out on, a future Vidic or Ferdinand or whatever. I don't know, but I wouldn't be disappointed if we signed him. He would also add youth and a little more depth to our side which is something we're lacking. Plus, there are rumours that Vidic is leaving as well as uncertainty about Ferdinand's future, so who knows we might purchase both an experienced centre half as well as a young'un.
Eliaquim Mangala
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss Amad saving our blushes in a win against Southampton as well as our now annual loss at home to Brighton. They discuss Amorim's post-match comments, revisit how mid-table we may or may not be, and discuss some transfer news.
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Maybe we see Mangala as one of those talents we just can't miss out on, a future Vidic or Ferdinand or whatever. I don't know, but I wouldn't be disappointed if we signed him. He would also add youth and a little more depth to our side which is something we're lacking. Plus, there are rumours that Vidic is leaving as well as uncertainty about Ferdinand's future, so who knows we might purchase both an experienced centre half as well as a young'un.
I would imagine we have a list of positions we need to make signings in over the next two windows, probably CM, AM, LB and CB. We also probably have a list of targets for each position. However, not all of those targets are going to come available at the same time. Obviously CM and LB are bigger priorities but if we can get CB done before then what harm? We shouldn't suspend all other buisness just because CM can't be sorted right now.
We could certainly make do without a CB signing. Having said that, the last time we won the CL we had the best CB partnership in Europe with both Vidic and Ferdinand outstanding. I like Evans but he really isn't at that level. We have other players with the potential to get to that level but there are no guarantees there either. If the club feels that Mangala has the potential to be absolutely outstanding then I'd be very happy with the signing, even if it isn't in the position where we most desperately need strengthening.
If we decide Mangala can be a future top player, and better than anything we currently have, it'd be mad not to go for him.
We bought Van Persie as he was currently top notch, and Welbeck and Hernandez just had to accept they were lesser choices. It's how it works.
We bought Van Persie as he was currently top notch, and Welbeck and Hernandez just had to accept they were lesser choices. It's how it works.
He'd need to be pretty brilliant though.
So, have any of ye seen much of him? How talented is he?
So, have any of ye seen much of him? How talented is he?
That's all well and good, but then we might as well knock the whole 'let's buy potential and develop it' bollocks on the head then and, instead, just go out there and buy the best players for every position in the future.
Spending upwards of £30 million on a defender from Portugal who may or may not be a little bit better than what Smalling and Jones can be is stupid as far as I'm concerned. The club is meant to be about giving players a chance.
What we need now is the best players. We have a lot of good players, but we need top class players.
Which is exactly what Smalling and Jones will be the sooner we give them a genuine, regular shot at the first team. The more we feck around with them then the less likely it will be.
IMO Jones must be our number 1 CB for the next 10 years
I feel Smalling & Evans are only good enough as back-ups...........Jones is the real deal
I would let go Ferdinand, Vidic & Evra at the end of the season..........and buy another CB
I feel Smalling & Evans are only good enough as back-ups...........Jones is the real deal
I would let go Ferdinand, Vidic & Evra at the end of the season..........and buy another CB
A deal between City and Porto for the transfer of Mangala is being reported. RMC Sport, I don't know how reliable they are. 42m euros being mentioned.
Heard some similar reports too man.. Plus Fernando though!
Bollocks, really wanted this kid to come here.
42 million euros.
42mil wtf. Serious dinero for the lad. Bollocks to it anyway.
Makes the recent shiny report from the City camp about trying to break even sound better!
42 million for him and Fernando seems excessive seeing as one is a 22 year old defender, and another is a defensive midfielder with 6 months left on his contract. They're essentially paying around 35 million for Mangala alone
I hate those oil drenched free spending bastards
We were supposed to be after both aswell, which makes it even worse if they go to City - who are on fire atm. Sickening!
Just hope we've something up our sleeves for tomorrow. Not confident though!
Just hope we've something up our sleeves for tomorrow. Not confident though!
Mangala and Kompany with Fernando and Toure infront of them...feckin hell
Oil drenched with a natural resource that their Country's people dont profit from - only the self-appointed kings & noblemen...
Expensive backup for Nastasic
Reckon they're doing a Chelsea on us. Let everyone else do the research, then come in with an offer & seal the deal. Two fecking players that would improve our team now & there's no whiff of us signing anyone else, regardless of the Kroos links - never a goer this window...
We've had from the summer til now & we've only one signing - albeit a world class one, but ffs - there's shitloads of players that are available that would improve us, not just players on the front page of "Shoot" or "Match". How we couldnt sign atleast one CM, CB & a LB is beyond me. CM especially. We've had 5 feckin months to get something sorted for CM & LB, and we had Garay (CB) in our grasp in the summer & messed him around.
feckin better be a day of surprises tomorrow - that 4th spot is critical for attracting the world class talent we want in the summer & even then, many of our targets will have their price increased if they have a good World Cup
I know we have more pressing issues but we're probably going to have to strengthen CB before too long. It appears that Vidic and Ferdinand will be leaving and we've been linked with a few CBs for a while now (Mangala and Garay particularly). Man City will be starting next season with Kompany, Nastasic and Mangala competing for CB while we'll probably have Jones, Smalling and Evans competing for ours. Not a great comparison from our point of view, is it?
I dnt see them signing anyone this window. Summer moves maybe.
£46m for both is being reported on Talksport from tomorrows backpages review
Why because ours don't have fancy names?
No, because ours have either spent a lot of time playing in positions other than CB or are Jonny Evans. Not exactly the Rio-Vidic partnership of old, is it?
So if he's so amazing how come Porto didnt get out of their champions league group, finishing 3rd behind Zenit and conceeding 7 times in 6 games? Should hardly be enhancing his reputation. I remember watching him before he went to Portugal as he was linked with Valencia. He looked a bit raw and rash even though he was powerful had a good leap and was aggressive. He's obviously improved a lot since then I'm sure but to the extent that he's being linked with such expensive moves? David Luiz was supposed to be one of the best CBs in the world as well. Will he do much better?
Benfica also came 3rd in their group losing 2nd spot to Olympiakos and conceding 8 in 6 games. They also have a CB being linked with huge money moves. Why?
Benfica also came 3rd in their group losing 2nd spot to Olympiakos and conceding 8 in 6 games. They also have a CB being linked with huge money moves. Why?
Its just so frustrating & i hate moaning about it. Its hard not to be perturbed by this lack of urgency to get players sorted in this window. I was completely convinced we'd have all our needs (short-term / long-term, i couldnt give a shit) sorted well before now & all it took was early Jan to complete the deals. That hasnt happened & thats a joke.
It seems we're doin the summer window prep during this window - thats rediculous. How many staff do we have sortin transfers? Are our resources stretched that we can only deal with one player at a time? Feckin looks like it lads!
Am guessing it has something to do with the fact that defending doesnt depend on only one person. Maybe thats just me though.
Porto has the worst manager in my memory. Not a single player is performing to their standard this season, tactics are all over the place, huge pressure on defenders all game due to a not working midfield. And yes, Mangala is still a bit raw, but he's the least of our problems. I think he'll need a while to set in, but if he does, he's going to be a beast of a defender. Not worth 42m obviously. Could become that sort of player in the near future. City doesn't usually pay market prices for their players anyway.
Our midfield trio lost in six months, now Mangala, Jackson will follow at the end of the season and we won't be left with any 30m+ prospect for the first time in over 10 years. That's the result of under performing in Europe for 3 years. Rebuilding time for us, need a new manager, need a new squad, and probably a different strategy for the future. This buy-and-sell thing is starting to wear out. We will only get around 30m for Mangala, we don't own the whole of his economic rights.
Correct, so you sign one person out of a failing defence. How do you know you signed the right one or looked at the right defence in the first place? The league they play in is weak so the champions league is a good place to see how they really compare. Thats just you though
A bit simplistic, no? Cohesive defence depends on a lot more than the CBs.
One man cant make a team - i dont mean to sound patronising to you saying that either
City havent been goin for duds in quite a well, so you can pretty much guarantee they think said players will improve their team - which are already shit-hot at the moment. I hope they turn out to be duds, but i'd rather us have a few players in, wishing they wont be duds.
Just heard on Talksport, some Scots transfer/ press expert said City might find it hard to get the double-deal done in time this window - they want the price lowered for FFP reasons. They're £50m over transfer spending budget to keep in line with UEFA & they spend £600k per day in wages too. They dont give a shit really - they'll wangle some deal from the middle-east (co-owners most likely) thats gonna make up the difference & more. Much like their stadium rights deal & the rest..
Otamendi, who without being spectacular has been very reliable throughout the years, has looked unbelievably shit this season, with costly mistak after costly mistake. Defence is an area where mistakes are very easily exposed, and most teams lacking any kind of confidence see it flailing. You can tell Mangala has lots of qualities irrespective of how many goals we suffer. We being 3rd in the CL says nothing about his qualities. Plenty of extremely good players are bought from teams that don't even make it to the CL.
That said, he's played once for France and that was in a friendly game. Obviously 42m is overpriced, if we consider that with all his potential there is still some straightening to do and a lot to learn (and an implied risk of him not becoming as good as expected). Hence we'll sort of be celebrating the transfer value, if the deal indeed goes through. Sugar daddies have been kind to us many times, this wasn't the first time (though I'm afraid it will be one of the last).
That said, he's played once for France and that was in a friendly game. Obviously 42m is overpriced, if we consider that with all his potential there is still some straightening to do and a lot to learn (and an implied risk of him not becoming as good as expected). Hence we'll sort of be celebrating the transfer value, if the deal indeed goes through. Sugar daddies have been kind to us many times, this wasn't the first time (though I'm afraid it will be one of the last).
How come Porto can't find a half decent goalkeeper?
With the imminent signing of Mangala, surely that will mean Lescott will be completely expendable and the next out of the door?
My more curious question however, is how the flying feck are City meeting (going to meet) the homegrown quota?
My more curious question however, is how the flying feck are City meeting (going to meet) the homegrown quota?
How come we can't find a half decent coach?
Helton (Arruda is his last name
) has been a great servant. He has been way better than half-decent. Like others, this season he's worsened dramatically, and is probably nearing the end of his time here. I'm confident his back-up can take the place, he's been excellent every time we try him.
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Ha, just saw Duncan Castles linking him with a move to United.
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