I personally find Van Gaals accomplishments much more outstanding than all what Pep has done so. What Pep has going for him, that can be the deciding factor on how well he performs here, is that he isnt as stubborn as LVG, who truly was a crazy old man when he was ready. If he is able to succeed here then fine hats off to him, he would truly be the greatest manager in the game right now. But i dont think its as easy as it seems.
Our Rivals' squads next year - Manchester City (2016/2017)
- Thread starter Wumminator
- Start date
I meant stylistically. They are not similar stylistically.
Who cares???
So long as Mourinho does what we know he is capable of, these questions will be irrelevant and of no consequence. I'm more interested in what Jose is going to do for us rather than what the 3rd best manager will do at Manchester's second club.
You obviously do care.
I think Guardiola is going to be brilliant, really excited to have him in the league, really hoping he and Mourinho will boost the quality of the EPL.
It'll be interesting to see how Pep's first ten games go. The media will be all over it either way. Top two is my prediction with a semi-final exit in the Champions League.
There's no way Sterling's playing through the middle in a squad with De Bruyne, Silva and Touré.
Anyone who is interested in discussing Manchester City in a constructive manner cares, would be my best guess. Seeing as that is the exact purpose of this thread.Who cares???
So long as Mourinho does what we know he is capable of, these questions will be irrelevant and of no consequence. I'm more interested in what Jose is going to do for us rather than what the 3rd best manager will do at Manchester's second club.
If those are your interests I'm sure there's a multitude of places for you to discuss that.
Like Glaston I'm interested in how they do with a new manager plus what appears to be a lot of squad turnover.
The other thing I find interesting is the age of the squad. There's a lot of players in the 28+ bracket. I'm not saying you fall off a cliff after 30, but you're simply not in your athletic prime and a club can only hope to get so many good years out of you. Then they don't really seem to care and buy more 29 year olds like Nolito.
That group of players means they'll have huge squad turnover now AND in the future. It's going to be hard to keep consistency when players can only give a few prime years to a club that is now demanding excellence.
BTW - they have a new shit badge.
What happened to their well earned stars above the crest
.How is Guardiola's player recruitment viewed? Is he someone you want to oversee an influx in playing staff?
Well said, you deserve a few more likes.
@BobbyManc - who are the realistic targets for the positions you mentioned?
DR - Peres
DC - Stones
DC - ??
DL - ??
MC - ??
RW - Sane
ST - ??
DR - Peres
DC - Stones
DC - ??
DL - ??
MC - ??
RW - Sane
ST - ??
City last year were the worst side in the league without the ball. They literarily did not do any form of pressing.
That will be the biggest difference.
I think the home grown rules, constrain them a bit with regards to what the do in the transfer market.
Still expect them to finish first. At worst, second.
That will be the biggest difference.
I think the home grown rules, constrain them a bit with regards to what the do in the transfer market.
Still expect them to finish first. At worst, second.
Peres looks like that might be a dead deal now, some briefings to the media that City are no longer interested. It's worrying, we need to start getting a move on in the transfer market if we want to give Pep the best chance of settling in quickly. If not him then either we give one of the young kids a chance (Maffeo/Horsfield) or we stay with Zaba and Sagna, which would be a huge risk. Elsewhere Stones looks like a question of when, not if, and the same hopefully for Sane. Bonucci is the other CB linked but I reckon we'll only sign Stones unless a player like Bonucci becomes feasible. As for LB I think we'll promote Angelino in Kolarov's place. In midfield we'll either make a surprise signing who hasn't been linked yet or wait and see if one of the bigger names becomes available, such as Kroos. No idea about a striker to replace Bony if he's sold, no names have been mentioned.
I did see that actually, but I'd put that firmly in the 'Impossible' category as far as transfer rumours go.
City have been abandoning deals at first thought of the player being overpriced. Any reason for this?
I would assume FFP
Price of oil isnt what it used to be
I think it will take him a while to get the team playing his style but that it'll be a brilliant appointment in the long run, especially as far as European play goes. I can imagine them starting slowly this year as they adapt to Pep's style of play, especially given the Gundogan injury and his likely role as the pivot midfielder in Pep's setup, but getting stronger over time and finishing 2nd-4th in the league.
Yes. He will probably get injured but as backup #9s go, Iheanacho is a really good option.
No, I think he might have the kind of injury issues that never really go away for good. But if they sign a new CB such as Stones or Bonucci then they can afford to carry Kompany as an often injured option as Otamendi is still pretty good. Longer term I expect them to buy two new CBs.
Sterling's last year is somewhat unfairly maligned. 11 goals and 10 assists in 2981 minutes is pretty good, especially for a young player. He was inconsistent and then relegated to the bench in the second half of the year as Pelligrini preferred Navas for tactical reasons. It wasn't a successful year by any means but it wasn't awful either and he still has a bright future.
I don't know if Sterling will make it at City but I think Pep will give him plenty of chances. Guardiola clearly likes wingers that can dribble and have elite quickness and those are his best attributes.
Their fullbacks. I'm surprised that City haven't been linked to more fullback targets since Pep generally has preferred very skillful players in those roles and their current options are pretty shit.
Have we? Can't recall many examples other than Pogba. We signed de Bruyne and Sterling after lengthy negotiations for big fees. Stones will be the same.
City have some issues for me and those are:
Too many none homegrown players they need to shift before buying more none homegrown players
Not enough homegrown players - for a 25 man squad you need 7, if you don't you'll struggle with the schedule
Old players: Kompany, Yaya and I count 12 outfield players 29 or over.
Injury prone players: Aguero and Gundogan, with Kompany somewhat too.
Now with regards to Pep, a top manager but older players will struggle with an intense pressing game
There signings so far in Gundogan and Nolito are very very good but how much Gundogan will influence next season when he is out to October and then will have to adapt and get back to peak form who knows.
Too many none homegrown players they need to shift before buying more none homegrown players
Not enough homegrown players - for a 25 man squad you need 7, if you don't you'll struggle with the schedule
Old players: Kompany, Yaya and I count 12 outfield players 29 or over.
Injury prone players: Aguero and Gundogan, with Kompany somewhat too.
Now with regards to Pep, a top manager but older players will struggle with an intense pressing game
There signings so far in Gundogan and Nolito are very very good but how much Gundogan will influence next season when he is out to October and then will have to adapt and get back to peak form who knows.
He definitely used a target man (sometimes Martinez, afterwards Lewa) vs teams that liked to break fast (Dortmund, Atletico). He seems to have become a lot more flexible at Bayern; at Barca he had already tried 3-man defences with Alves at RCB, at Bayern he mixed up his formations further but more importantly moved away from an only-possession approach
It'll be interesting to see how City do. Their transfer dealings so far haven't been overly impressive like I thought they would be. Gundogan if he does stay fit, is a fantastic player I must admit.
People and the media keep talking about our squad and weaknesses, but I think City have the same question marks and their squad isn't in the greatest shape either. Really curious to see how their squad looks come September.
People and the media keep talking about our squad and weaknesses, but I think City have the same question marks and their squad isn't in the greatest shape either. Really curious to see how their squad looks come September.
Sounds like they will get Stones and Sane.
Add Nolito and Gundogan and they have strengthened well not nearly as impressively as expected. At least on paper anyway.
That said, maybe they will add a couple more too. We will just have to wait and see.
Add Nolito and Gundogan and they have strengthened well not nearly as impressively as expected. At least on paper anyway.
That said, maybe they will add a couple more too. We will just have to wait and see.
Stones will get the overpriced treatment that Sterling has had, but he's definitely a player for the system rather than the name alone (that's what sets these managers apart from the rest right?) - he also ticks both the English and Age boxes, and we need both. I think it goes to show exactly how important a ball playing CB will be to his system, allowing them to push forward into the midfield against sides who sit deep to create that extra space for the others in the middle.
Personally, I'm really excited about Stones and Sane if they sign - it's exactly the type of players I like to see us go for in terms of age. They'll be hitting their peak just as Guardiolas contract comes to an end. I also think Sterling will also have a much better season, but only time will tell on that.
As for the rest of our squad, I have question marks over both fullbacks (Zab has been a class act but you feel his time is up given how much his game relies on his ability to get up and down that flank), and another CM. Gundogan is being underestimated because everyone thinks he'll be injured all season, but if he gets up and running he's easily one of the best in the league, but our other options overall make me nervous.
In short, I think we still need five signings; CB (Stones), RW (Sane), CM, LB & RB. With those I think we'll be a tough side to finish above. Not asking much then?
Personally, I'm really excited about Stones and Sane if they sign - it's exactly the type of players I like to see us go for in terms of age. They'll be hitting their peak just as Guardiolas contract comes to an end. I also think Sterling will also have a much better season, but only time will tell on that.
As for the rest of our squad, I have question marks over both fullbacks (Zab has been a class act but you feel his time is up given how much his game relies on his ability to get up and down that flank), and another CM. Gundogan is being underestimated because everyone thinks he'll be injured all season, but if he gets up and running he's easily one of the best in the league, but our other options overall make me nervous.
In short, I think we still need five signings; CB (Stones), RW (Sane), CM, LB & RB. With those I think we'll be a tough side to finish above. Not asking much then?
Stones makes sense for City & Pep but I'm sure Koeman's arrival complicates that possible transfer. First time there is a tug of war between two Cruyff & Barcelona disciples/friends/teammates - curious to see how this shakes out
I do not think Koeman's arrival will have much impact unless he persuades Stones to stay. As it is Stones wants to leave and City want to sign him, all that matters now is agreeing a fee with Everton. It's a matter for the clubs to decide, not the managers.
Manager factors into this
I fail to see how, unless one of them is very immature. They've been in football long enough to understand how these deals play out. At the end of the day Stones wants to leave and it seems both clubs are willing to deal with the transfer professionally.
Yes. Majority of the papers have reported Stones has told Koeman he wants to leave.
He wanted to leave last season (Chelsea) but Everton held onto him.
One mediocre season later they can let him go to City for 10m more or keep a disaffected player who the supporters would rather was sold for that sort of money.
The only reason Koeman might want to keep him is to make a development project of him and get credit for realising Stones' undoubted talent IMO.
Didn't Koeman leave Southampton because he kept having his players sold? He can't be too happy if he walks into a club who immediately sells one of their biggest players.
But would he want to keep a player who has publicly stated on more than one occasion that he wants out?
If he gets a good chunk of the proceeds to reinvest in players who want to be there then he would probably live with it.
That depends on whether or not the player will carry on professionally or kick up a fuss and sulk. I think in that situation you put a value on the player that is too good to turn down, and if matched you let him go. I think that's what will happen here.
They kept him because we pissed them off.
City seriously lack homegrown players to meet the quota. Unless they sell their old players, bought in enough homegrown, sign U21 players, they're fairly restricted in building this squad for all the competitions they're in. That requires huge revamp.
We should be signing Stones and if we keep Denayer that's another HG player. Iheanacho after this season will qualify as HG. We've got enough promising players in the academy coming through who should at least be able to hold down squad roles to a decent standard to ensure we'll be ok.
Who cares???
So long as Mourinho does what we know he is capable of, these questions will be irrelevant and of no consequence. I'm more interested in what Jose is going to do for us rather than what the 3rd best manager will do at Manchester's second club.
The arrogance.
City have a better squad and a better manager, mate.
nonsense
If you say so.
Mourinho has been sacked more times than he's beaten Guardiola. Pep has won the league in every season he's been a manager except one. I'd expect that to continue by the end of next season.
Not to mention he's never had his team floating above relegation!