Our rival's squads next year - Man City
- Thread starter Wumminator
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Kompany had a great run of seasons, domestically anyway because he's never looked good in Europe, culminating in them winning the title in 2012. He was pretty average for the couple of years after that and he was shite last season. Be interesting to see how he does next season, is he on the permanent decline or will he recover?
City have relied on the same core of players for ages now, I think they might be able to squeeze another season out of them but at some point they're going to have to add some first team quality on a regular basis. Sterling is a good start, Delph not so much.
City have relied on the same core of players for ages now, I think they might be able to squeeze another season out of them but at some point they're going to have to add some first team quality on a regular basis. Sterling is a good start, Delph not so much.
Kompany's tough to judge. His decline is pretty much completely down to his injury troubles. If he can keep injury-free, then I have faith that he'll be an excellent defender and leader for us again. Perhaps he is past his best but even so he can still be a key player for us. His decline has been overstated largely because of how comically poor he was in a few games last season which has led to some revisionism claiming he had been awful for years - let's not forget in the 13/14 season he got in the PFA Team of the Year (undeservedly, no doubt, but still shows he had a solid season) and ended it with a good showing in the World Cup captaining Belgium.
As for our core, then we do have an issue. Hart-Kompany-Toure-Silva-Aguero has been the foundation of our side for years, five key players of significant quality. Now, however, Silva and Aguero are the only two you would put good money on having a great season this year. Hart is fine, seems to have put his worst behind him, but there's still a chance he regresses. Kompany, Toure and Silva are getting old and even if they have strong seasons we're still going to have to be looking at potential replacements for them. Right now we should be fine, as you say there's no reason they can't provide another good season, but it's certainly an issue that needs addressing sooner rather than later.
They signed the english Messi
Sterling is a great addition for them, huge upgrade on Navas who is just a brainless pace merchant. But apart from that neither of their additions will improve the first team.
I'm still not entirely sure as to why City aren't in for a left back. Clichy is garbage whilst Kolarov is very unreliable defensively.
I'm still not entirely sure as to why City aren't in for a left back. Clichy is garbage whilst Kolarov is very unreliable defensively.
a city fan at work said this very thing to me today.
Jovetic is having a medical at Inter and strong rumours about Dzeko to Roma.
They should be in the market for a striker.
They should be in the market for a striker.
As good as De Bruyne is, spending a fortune on sterling and De Bruyne would be an overkill, they have enough creative players in the team, the midfield is too soft, that's what they should try to fix first. They also need a top defender, mangala and kompany look really shaky.
They still finished 2nd comfortably despite an average campaign. City have more to offer than people are giving them credit for and I'm a fan of Pellegrini.
They did coz we were shit. We were 4 points ahead after the game against them.
So they could possibly start the season without Aguero, Silva, Nasri (not a big deal with him though), Toure, Delph and Clichy? Considering the lack of depth... Will be interesting to say the least.
They'll still beat West Brom relatively easily, and I imagine they'll be rid of their illness for their 2nd game.
I think they've lost some of that physicality & big man presence up front in their attack. As much as their attack still looks quick and frightening, I thought they had it balanced when they had Dzeko/Negredo or Dzeko/Ballotelli and they had the optional target man to come on.
Tony Pulis in charge though, the game has a draw written all over it.
Bony is comfortably better in the air and stronger than both Dzeko and Balotelli.
Is there a way to gamble on Navas getting an assist on a Bony header but otherwise playing poorly?
Wow I didn't realise Toure and Clichy were injured too.
Okay, maybe Pulis will get something out of this.
Okay, maybe Pulis will get something out of this.
Bony, How did he slip my mind.
I agree but he's yet to prove his worth compared to them two though. How will he play if Ageuro's fit? City will be 4-3-3 right? If they accommodate two wingers.Citeh have had a weird summer apart from Sterling. I thought they'd sign a DM (to play with Yaya and Fernandinho in a 3 - freeing up Yaya - in big games and to rotate Yaya a lot) and an LB and they've done neither, even though there are decent options out there.
Bony, How did he slip my mind.
Normal Pellegrini 4-2-2-2:
--Aguero-Bony--
Sterling-----Silva
------Yaya-------
---Fernandinho--
Ugh--------Zabaleta
Kompany-Mangala
-------Hart---------
would be my guess, though they need another striker with Dzeko leaving.
Looks like lots of Prem blowouts, a meek exit from the CL and not quite enough consistency in midfield and defense to win the title. 3rd place behind Chelsea and one of United or Arsenal, but the most goals.
Bony, How did he slip my mind.
If we sign De Bruyne we'll certainly be beginning most matches with Aguero as the lone striker. Even if we don't I imagine we'll stick with the 4-2-3-1 that we finished last season with. Bony will be our Plan B, similar to how Dzeko was at times, the striker we throw on to give the defence something new to deal with while also starting the odd match. I'm optimistic Bony has the capability to get a decent amount of goals for us, my worry is how long he will be content to sit on the bench most of the time as well as whether he's suited to influencing a game as a substitute in the same way Dzeko was.
City will definitely be challenging this year the top 3 of Aguero, Silva, sterling then add Navas/Nasri is a frightening prospect for any time to defend against. I still feel they have one more big signing to come in with the likeliest being De Bruyne which would make their attacking prospects even better.
They are still looking for that long term partner for Kompany at the back after never really having any great success with the huge amount of centre backs they have bought over the years. I personally can't see Kompany being as poor as he was in some stages last season, I think the world cup took its toll on numerous players seasons and expect a big improvement.
In short are they currently as good as Chelsea or playing as fluid as Arsenal, no. Do they have good enough players to win or challenge for the league, most definitely I think United and City will be neck and neck throughout the majority of the season. Both suffer from defensive problems, solid in midfield and i would give the slight edge to City with David Silva and Aguero in attack.
They are still looking for that long term partner for Kompany at the back after never really having any great success with the huge amount of centre backs they have bought over the years. I personally can't see Kompany being as poor as he was in some stages last season, I think the world cup took its toll on numerous players seasons and expect a big improvement.
In short are they currently as good as Chelsea or playing as fluid as Arsenal, no. Do they have good enough players to win or challenge for the league, most definitely I think United and City will be neck and neck throughout the majority of the season. Both suffer from defensive problems, solid in midfield and i would give the slight edge to City with David Silva and Aguero in attack.
Line-up prediction following their injury doubts:
Doubt all those players mentioned above will be out though. Squad does look very depleted in the event of a few injuries though. Still reckon they would sneak a win against WBA, Pulis or not. They've bought very poorly this summer IMO.
Hart
Sagna - Kompany - Mangala - Kolarov
Zuculini - Fernando - Fernandinho
Navas - Bony - Sterling
Subs: Caballero, Denayer, Demichelis, Zabaleta, Lopes, Roberts, Iheanacho
Sagna - Kompany - Mangala - Kolarov
Zuculini - Fernando - Fernandinho
Navas - Bony - Sterling
Subs: Caballero, Denayer, Demichelis, Zabaleta, Lopes, Roberts, Iheanacho
Doubt all those players mentioned above will be out though. Squad does look very depleted in the event of a few injuries though. Still reckon they would sneak a win against WBA, Pulis or not. They've bought very poorly this summer IMO.
West Brom are the perennial asshole teams that take big name scalps within first three weeks of the season then do feck all for the next few months.
City beware.
City beware.
I'm pleased to see Iheanacho getting promoted to the first team, which probably means we'll see Aguero, Bony and Iheanacho fight it out for one space in a 4-3-3, looking forward to seeing how he gets on. It certainly beats going our and spending £20M on a back-up when there's a talented lad in the ranks. Our squad is definitely getting an injection of youth that's it's been lacking this year. De Bruyne next please?
As soon as they lose a game or two or fall a couple of points behind the knives will be out for pellegrini.
I think a rocky season with a comfortable top 4, a lot of drama and not much else.
I'm an optimist
Sterlings a good signing though, pretty ideal for their needs.
I think a rocky season with a comfortable top 4, a lot of drama and not much else.
I'm an optimist
Sterlings a good signing though, pretty ideal for their needs.
Shame they're playing on Monday, would have been tough for them to make it if the game was on Saturday.
I really think City will struggle next season, I don't know if they currently are strong enough for the top 4, they have a very questionable midfield with nobody knowing how Yaya will play and Fernando and Fernandinho seeming to be struggling in the PL, Delph is a nice squad player but doesn't have enough quality for the top 4. There defense is also quite suspect, Kompany struggled last year, Zabaleta and Clichy were exposed many times, Mangala didn't look worth 30 million pounds. Going forward they are quality, Sterling was a fantastic addition but they would of been better served putting that 50 million towards there defense, which in my opinion is very suspect. Even if they add De Bruyne I still see them struggling to amount a challenge for the title.
They're strong enough for the top four. While we've improved our squad more overall than City have, there's still a gulf in quality, and they're a lot more likely to go out a big signing than we are right now. City have done better business than Spurs so far, too.
I don't see a title challenge, though.
I don't see a title challenge, though.
Yaya couldn't play in a midfield 2 last season so he definitely won't be able to this year. As others said I thought they would use him in a more advanced role but they haven't really bought anyone in central midfield. Strange.
They're still lacking genuine quality, De Bruyne would be a cracking signing for them to play along Silva, Sterling and Aguero. They also need a better fullback than Clichy/Kolarov although it can be argued that those 2 are still able to 'do a job' in the PL. Wouldn't write off Mangala just yet, he might have a very good second season all of a sudden. Overall they've got a top-4 worthy squad at the moment but if they don't strengthen they will get battered in Europe again.
Not exactly going to be much of a fight, if Aguero's fit he'll always be starting. Agreed though, it's nice to see us seemingly be placing some faith in a couple of academy talents this season, our side definitely could do with a bit of youthful energy and desire. As for De Bruyne, I'd be ecstatic if we got him, him and Sterling were my two top 'realistic' signings I'd have chosen for this season (after Pogba, of course!).
they will finish fourth this season, not enough quality in defense and their defensive mids are not convincing enough, everything can change if Yaya and Aguero hit top form though.
Until they solve their midfield conundrum, they will continue to decline. It undermines everything else they try to do. Not only does Touré in a midfield 2 make his partner's job almost impossible, but neither partner is particularly good, either. Compared to Matic (and, soon enough, Aké) at Chelsea, and Carrick, Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger at United, Fernando and Fernandinho are underwhelming options. I'd probably even take Coquelin over Fernando, based on how he's done so far for Arsenal.
Adding De Bruyne on top of Sterling will give them frightening firepower, but as Arsenal have been demonstrating for years, you don't end up challenging for the title at the end of the season with such an unbalanced squad.
Adding De Bruyne on top of Sterling will give them frightening firepower, but as Arsenal have been demonstrating for years, you don't end up challenging for the title at the end of the season with such an unbalanced squad.
Was reading the premier league predictions on the Guardian site there after I read their report on Falcao dragging a boulder through a field of treacle. It's amazing how many of them think City still have the strongest squad.
The way I see it:
Goalkeeper - Hart, Caballero, Wright. A little ahead of Liverpool, equal with Spurs and a long way behind Chelsea, Arsenal and United.
Right Back - Zabaleta is the 2nd best in the league after Ivanovic. With Sagna they are probably as strong as anyone at RB.
Left Back - Clichy and Kolarov are good but not special. Ahead of Liverpool and Spurs, equal with Arsenal and behind United and Chelsea.
Centre Back - Kompany, Mangala and Demichelis. On last years form that is very weak. It is also one injury away from a crisis.
Midfield - Toure, Fernando, Fernandinho, Delph, Zucullini. Not awful but nowhere near the strength of United and Chelsea.
Attacking Mid - Sterling, Nasri, Navas, Silva, Lopes. They are strong here. Ahead of United, Liverpool and Spurs and probably equal with Chelsea and Arsenal.
Forward - Aguero, Bony. Aguero is the best in the league. Bony as the only back up is weak.
So that is strength at RB, average options at LB and midfield, serious weaknesses at CB and lack of depth at CF. They have 19 outfield players in a squad that will be trying to compete in all 4 comps. 2 of those 19 are Lopes and Zucullini who I can't see playing too often.
Without serious investment in the next few weeks, City will struggle this year. I can't see them finishing in the top 3 with those 22 players.
The way I see it:
Goalkeeper - Hart, Caballero, Wright. A little ahead of Liverpool, equal with Spurs and a long way behind Chelsea, Arsenal and United.
Right Back - Zabaleta is the 2nd best in the league after Ivanovic. With Sagna they are probably as strong as anyone at RB.
Left Back - Clichy and Kolarov are good but not special. Ahead of Liverpool and Spurs, equal with Arsenal and behind United and Chelsea.
Centre Back - Kompany, Mangala and Demichelis. On last years form that is very weak. It is also one injury away from a crisis.
Midfield - Toure, Fernando, Fernandinho, Delph, Zucullini. Not awful but nowhere near the strength of United and Chelsea.
Attacking Mid - Sterling, Nasri, Navas, Silva, Lopes. They are strong here. Ahead of United, Liverpool and Spurs and probably equal with Chelsea and Arsenal.
Forward - Aguero, Bony. Aguero is the best in the league. Bony as the only back up is weak.
So that is strength at RB, average options at LB and midfield, serious weaknesses at CB and lack of depth at CF. They have 19 outfield players in a squad that will be trying to compete in all 4 comps. 2 of those 19 are Lopes and Zucullini who I can't see playing too often.
Without serious investment in the next few weeks, City will struggle this year. I can't see them finishing in the top 3 with those 22 players.
thewy should ditch the 4231 and go 433. Sterling is a true inside fwd. yaya can play the furthest fwd mid and silva can still play on the outside right like mata for us.
In the league, their midfield and defense problems really don't matter too much IMO. As they'll simply overpower teams with their offensive capabilities. That's not always enough to run the league, but usually gets a team close
They'll get schooled in Europe again, though.
They'll get schooled in Europe again, though.