Our rival's squads next year - Man City

I still think Sterling will be a very good player.

He was hugely overpriced last Summer but City won't be bothered by that. And he's been okay this season I'd say, not as impressive as Martial or De Bruyne but much better than Depay.

They've got bigger problems than Sterling.
 
They just look so flat this season. Pep has a huge job on his hands to get players like Sterling, Silva and Aguero playing their best again and replacing a-lot of the ones who don't really look arsed anymore; Kolarov and Toure, I'm looking at you!
 
If the rumours are correct, Gündogan and Laporte are needed and good early transfers. I expect another few transfers, think they will be very busy. But i dont think it is as bad as people say currently. Their attitude wil change with Pep. A few players will be sold, and quite a few brought in.
 
VanGaalEra said:
By deep in Europe I mean QF, maybe SF until they come up against Barca/Bayern/Real who will get through that MF pretty easy.

I expect them to blow away a lot of the mid table and relegation battling clubs in the league this year. Their MF is still an issue, but their firepower up top should see them through the league.
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Pretty accurate prediction, except they didn't win the league because they were absolute shit against the top teams.

Everything else was right, when the Caf was salivating after their first 5 games, I knew that MF would cause them problems.
 
izec said:
If the rumours are correct, Gündogan and Laporte are needed and good early transfers. I expect another few transfers, think they will be very busy. But i dont think it is as bad as people say currently. Their attitude wil change with Pep. A few players will be sold, and quite a few brought in.
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Those two would be fantastic signings.

Their squad is actually good, I mean they really should have won the league this season with the squad that they have, and the ineptitude of every other big team in the league. The likes of Silva, Aguero and Sterling need a new lease of life injected into them and they have some other solid players. Kompany has been a great player but due to injuries, he has become thoroughly unreliable. Pep has a fairly big job on his hands but 4/5 good signings could really transform them. They need a deadwood clear-out, though.
 
Robbie Boy said:
Those two would be fantastic signings.

Their squad is actually good, I mean they really should have won the league this season with the squad that they have, and the ineptitude of every other big team in the league. The likes of Silva, Aguero and Sterling need a new lease of life injected into them and they have some other solid players. Kompany has been a great player but due to injuries, he has become thoroughly unreliable. Pep has a fairly big job on his hands but 4/5 good signings could really transform them. They need a deadwood clear-out, though.
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Yep, i think that is going to happen. 5 players in, a few young ones get promoted, and sell as many. Pep will have a lot of money and control, and the current players could get back in form, like Sterling or Silva. I think their squad will look great in 2 years from now on, no doubt. If Pellegrini stayed, they would be in trouble, but i back Pep to change the squad to his needs and the owners will back him to be able to do that. Another thing is if Pep will be able to dominate and be successfull with his style, but their squad and attitude should be alright i think.
 
They will invest a lot of money on Guardiola when the ball possession football is officialy dead.
 
I'm tempted to quote and shame some posts from the previous pages of this thread.
 
Guardiola is in for a shock next season. :lol: City are far from a polished side. That central midfield needs a huge upgrade, the striker role is a weird one because you have to wonder if Aguero is going to be fit for the majority of the season. Bony can't be relied anyway. They do have a gem in Iheanacho. Their right wing side is shit with Navas and Sterling needs extra man-management because he plays like Obertan. Their full-backs are also quite shit.
 
SirHenryPercy said:
It's going to be a blank cheque isn't it?
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I wouldn't be shocked if City break all of their previous spending records this Summer, because they definitely need it.

The only positive thing is that they generally buy poor, with the odd gem. Long may that continue.
 
JoaquinJoaquin said:
I wouldn't be shocked if City break all of their previous spending records this Summer, because they definitely need it.

The only positive thing is that they generally buy poor, with the odd gem. Long may that continue.
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With FFP basically in shreds I can see £300-400m being lashed out. A couple of £80m players in there.

It's going to be mad.
 
SirHenryPercy said:
With FFP basically in shreds I can see £300-400m being lashed out. A couple of £80m players in there.

It's going to be mad.
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For sure.

Saying that, I think that with the Premier League TV money coming into play, Pretty much everyone will be spending over the top amounts. The problem is, There is only a certain amount of top players, Then you are having to try 'gamble' buys which generally don't work with us anyways.
 
I think the only real performers for City just now are Aguero, De Bruyne and Ilheanacho (spelling) with Sterling, Silva (past his best but still good to have in the squad), Hart, Clichy, Delph and Zabaleta (ditto Silva) still worth keeping. The rest - Kompany is a liability for obvious reasons unless they can get to the bottom of it - who knows if Pep will see a future with them. He could actually have to buy in a keeper, nearly a whole new back 4, 1 or 2 holding midfielders and a couple of attacking ones. There might well be a few players that he can get playing again, but I think he's got a big task on his hands. The absence of any real quality team in the EPL just now will buy him a bit of time to start with possibly.
 
I thought Otamendi had a phenomenal season last year but he's one of the most rash CBs I've ever seen. Always on the floor diving into tackles whether it's in or outside the box.
 
VorZakone said:
Guardiola is in for a shock next season. :lol: City are far from a polished side. That central midfield needs a huge upgrade, the striker role is a weird one because you have to wonder if Aguero is going to be fit for the majority of the season. Bony can't be relied anyway. They do have a gem in Iheanacho. Their right wing side is shit with Navas and Sterling needs extra man-management because he plays like Obertan. Their full-backs are also quite shit.
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What if they buy, Gundogan, Laporte, Bertrand and one other CM? Kante? (heard hes got release clause). Things would be looking a lot better no?
 
Stacks said:
What if they buy, Gundogan, Laporte, Bertrand and one other CM? Kante? (heard hes got release clause). Things would be looking a lot better no?
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Their wing-play would still be quite weak IMO as would their striker role be with Aguero's potential injury problems. Also their right-back position would still be weak. They can win the PL with the added likes of Gundogan, Laporta etc though. But not the CL.
 
Aguero 27
Iheanaco 19
Bony 27

De Bruyne 25
Sterling 21
Silva 30
Nasri 28
Navas 30

Gundogan 25
Fernandinho 31
Fernando 28
Delph 26

Sagna 33
Zabaleta 31
Clichy 30
Kolorov 31

Kompany 30
Laporte 22
Otamendi 28
Mangala 25

Hart 29

This + whatever he gets with his hundreds of millions will make a very strong team

-----------------------Aguero---------------
Sterling-------De Bruyne-------------?
--------Gundogan----Fernandinho
Clichy--Laporte---Kompany---?

Not bad
 
VorZakone said:
Their wing-play would still be quite weak IMO as would their striker role be with Aguero's potential injury problems. Also their right-back position would still be weak. They can win the PL with the added likes of Gundogan, Laporta etc though. But not the CL.
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Nobody expects that they walk the CL next year. If they get Gündogan, Laporte, 2-3 spanish players (fairly cheap and with Pep they´ll have huge pull) and promote 1-2 guys, they should be in good shape. I also wouldn´t rule out all their "older" players just yet. Guys like Kolarov, Kompany (if he stays fit), Zabaleta, Otamendi, Fernandinho and Silva could still be very important next season.
 
They could be lining up with

Butland
Belerin Laporte Otamendi Rodriguez
Pogba Gundogan
Sterling DeBruyne Reus
Aguero

Bench:
Hart Kompany Zabaletta Fernandinho Delph Silva Iheanacho

With about 300m spend.
 
AshfordLad said:
They could be lining up with

Butland
Belerin Laporte Otamendi Rodriguez
Pogba Gundogan
Sterling DeBruyne Reus
Aguero

Bench:
Hart Kompany Zabaletta Fernandinho Delph Silva Iheanacho

With about 300m spend.
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They haven't been linked to Butland, bellerin or Reus
 
Adisa said:
They haven't been linked to Butland, bellerin or Reus
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They hadnt been linked to laporte till 3 months back and neither to Otamendi same time last year.

Plus my main empahis is on what they can get for 300m and not necessarily what they will end up with.
 
Attila said:
Aguero 27
Iheanaco 19
Bony 27

De Bruyne 25
Sterling 21
Silva 30
Nasri 28
Navas 30

Gundogan 25
Fernandinho 31
Fernando 28
Delph 26

Sagna 33
Zabaleta 31
Clichy 30
Kolorov 31

Kompany 30
Laporte 22
Otamendi 28
Mangala 25

Hart 29

This + whatever he gets with his hundreds of millions will make a very strong team

-----------------------Aguero---------------
Sterling-------De Bruyne-------------?
--------Gundogan----Fernandinho
Clichy--Laporte---Kompany---?

Not bad
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Kompany has been injured more than fecking Jones this season, and I don't think that's a good sign of a defender who's 30 years old. If he doesn't get rid of those injuries his future in City doesn't look very bright tbh. Sagna, Zabaleta, Clichy and Kolarov all beginning to age and I'm sure Pep will get rid of at least 2 of them. Same with Demichelis. Their midfield needs more creativity now when Toure starts getting older and even slower while Silva is struggling with injuries often. They might get Gundogan which can sort some of the problem. Niguez would probably be a perfect fit for them too, but hopefully we'll be in for him aswell and he chooses us - or stays at AM. They need better strikers and maybe a winger or 2 aswell if they're gonna challenge for the CL, imo. Guardiola is clearly taking over a completely different squad than he did at both Barca and Bayern with less quality, a side that might not even make top 4 this season, and a side that really needs reinforcements. This will be his biggest challenge so far in his managercareer.
 
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We will lose
Demichelis, Kolarov, Bony, Yaya, Zabaleta, Mangala and Caballero. Sold or frozen out.
4 or 5 others will need to go within 2 years but can't change everybody at once.

We will sign/promote
Gundogan, Laporte, Denayer, Iheanacho, Brahim (from youth after New Year), plus one or two more signings such as Weigl, Pogba, Koke and Alcantara if we can get them.
Not necessarily looking at Galacticos just hungry, talented early/mid 20's guys with desire and football intelligence.
 
Gentleman Jim said:
We will lose
Demichelis, Kolarov, Bony, Yaya, Zabaleta, Mangala and Caballero. Sold or frozen out.
4 or 5 others will need to go within 2 years but can't change everybody at once.

We will sign/promote
Gundogan, Laporte, Denayer, Iheanacho, Brahim (from youth after New Year), plus one or two more signings such as Weigl, Pogba, Koke and Alcantara if we can get them.
Not necessarily looking at Galacticos just hungry, talented early/mid 20's guys with desire and football intelligence.
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That's about £150 million.
 
JoaquinJoaquin said:
For sure.

Saying that, I think that with the Premier League TV money coming into play, Pretty much everyone will be spending over the top amounts. The problem is, There is only a certain amount of top players, Then you are having to try 'gamble' buys which generally don't work with us anyways.
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I'm sure that many clubs will overpay normal players
 
VorZakone said:
Guardiola is in for a shock next season. :lol: City are far from a polished side. That central midfield needs a huge upgrade, the striker role is a weird one because you have to wonder if Aguero is going to be fit for the majority of the season. Bony can't be relied anyway. They do have a gem in Iheanacho. Their right wing side is shit with Navas and Sterling needs extra man-management because he plays like Obertan. Their full-backs are also quite shit.
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They have a better squad than you are suggesting. It needs refreshing though, and I expect them to sign some top draw players with Pep in charge.

JoaquinJoaquin said:
I wouldn't be shocked if City break all of their previous spending records this Summer, because they definitely need it.

The only positive thing is that they generally buy poor, with the odd gem. Long may that continue.
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Agreed. I am certain they will comfortably break £200M. Maybe even £300m. Madness.
 
KingMinger22 said:
They have a better squad than you are suggesting. It needs refreshing though, and I expect them to sign some top draw players with Pep in charge.



Agreed. I am certain they will comfortably break £200M. Maybe even £300m. Madness.
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I think they will spend seven billion dollars. City are amazing.
 
I don't know where are these outrageous amounts are coming from, but I don't even think that they gonna spend more than what they did last summer which is about 150m. Their attack is relatively strong with some young talents that Guardiola can mould and I think they gonna sign one striker/winger at most. The big issues lie in the fullback positions and in midfield but I don't think they'll break the bank for those players.
I guess we'll see.
 
Even when City fail they can do no wrong!
They'be been one summer away from 'probably spending 200m and dominating the league' for 3/4 years now.
 
PedroMendez said:
Nobody expects that they walk the CL next year. If they get Gündogan, Laporte, 2-3 spanish players (fairly cheap and with Pep they´ll have huge pull) and promote 1-2 guys, they should be in good shape. I also wouldn´t rule out all their "older" players just yet. Guys like Kolarov, Kompany (if he stays fit), Zabaleta, Otamendi, Fernandinho and Silva could still be very important next season.
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Not with Guardiola as his coach :lol:
 
I wouldn't be surprised if Sterling excels under Pep. Really surprised that Hart is already 29, it's still young'ish for a keeper i guess but i thought he'd be younger than that.
 
Gentleman Jim said:
We will lose
Demichelis, Kolarov, Bony, Yaya, Zabaleta, Mangala and Caballero. Sold or frozen out.
4 or 5 others will need to go within 2 years but can't change everybody at once.

We will sign/promote
Gundogan, Laporte, Denayer, Iheanacho, Brahim (from youth after New Year), plus one or two more signings such as Weigl, Pogba, Koke and Alcantara if we can get them.
Not necessarily looking at Galacticos just hungry, talented early/mid 20's guys with desire and football intelligence.
Click to expand...

For some fairly boring reasons I have been following the City youth players quite closely this season. Iheanacho has now risen into the first team of course, but what role do you think Denayer will play next season then? He is a player I rated quite highly and was confident he would be in the first team this year (and apparently so was the player himself).

The other one who I have seen a fair bit of is Man Utd Garcia, who I notice is missing from your list - don't think he will make it? He strikes me as a player Pep would like a lot.
 
Walrus said:
For some fairly boring reasons I have been following the City youth players quite closely this season. Iheanacho has now risen into the first team of course, but what role do you think Denayer will play next season then? He is a player I rated quite highly and was confident he would be in the first team this year (and apparently so was the player himself).

The other one who I have seen a fair bit of is Man Utd Garcia, who I notice is missing from your list - don't think he will make it? He strikes me as a player Pep would like a lot.
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And what is happening with that Roberts bloke they signed from Fulham? Did he get any minutes?
 
jetlee said:
I don't know where are these outrageous amounts are coming from, but I don't even think that they gonna spend more than what they did last summer which is about 150m. Their attack is relatively strong with some young talents that Guardiola can mould and I think they gonna sign one striker/winger at most. The big issues lie in the fullback positions and in midfield but I don't think they'll break the bank for those players.
I guess we'll see.
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I'm not sure.

They need a striker, a winger (to replace Navas), 2 central midfielders, a right back, centerback and potentially a LB. Could be more depending on who they sell.

That will cost alot of money.
 
People are still happy with their main transfer targets???

Laporte: Out for several months
Gündogan: Out for several months
Oxlade-Chamberlain: Out for 2 months and a sicknote
Thiago: Currently fit but how long??
 
Laporte and Gundogan both injured.

Hope they had all their eggs in those baskets.
 
Sean_RedDevil said:
People are still happy with their main transfer targets???

Laporte: Out for several months
Gündogan: Out for several months
Oxlade-Chamberlain: Out for 2 months and a sicknote
Thiago: Currently fit but how long??
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Hope they sign them all
 
Gundogan to City appears to be very likely.

I would bet that they will sign another CM also. Perhaps Pogba.
 
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