Now all they meed is a Nasri or a Sneijder and they'll be as good as any top side in Europe.
Sergio Aguero
- Thread starter Tevez
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If they weren't concerned by FFP, then they wouldn't have done that 400M deal.
Which is completely beside the point I was making.
Whilst I agree, I think we need to remember that at the moment, it's basically the same side they had last season.
Swap Tevez for Aguero. Whatever your opinion on who is the better of the two, Aguero will do well to match his countryman's productivity and talismanic status.
The same 'problems' still exist, namely, the lack of a consistent striker to replace Aguero (Dzeko is most likely to step up) and their backline is quite average in its make up. Their defensive solidity has more to do with the ultra-defensive midfields that Mancini picked last season, but as a unit, the backline isn't the best.
Then you factor in the all-important experience factor with things like being in a title race and juggling the CL, and I'd expect us to be 7-10 points ahead of them by the end of the season.
That's my objective take on it. For my money, there are four sides comfortably better than City.
Four sides "comfortably better"? How so? Even if I give you United and Chelsea, who are the other two?
Whether you like it or not, City will be in the top three this season. Its Arseanal, Liverpool and Spurs who have to battle for the 4th spot.
I think you're missing my point. I wasn't saying the whole concept of a 4-3-3 was boring, I was saying that the City system that deploys three defensive minded midfielders was. I get where you're coming from and maybe I didn't make myself clear, but the rigid, defensive Manchester City 4-3-3 is very different from the fluid, intricate passing Barcelona 4-3-3.
That's certainly true - but that's precisely why Mancini could stick two strikers up front and still play a rigid, defensive, functional type of football. Like Hodgson's Fulham always did away from home, they often lined up in a 4-4-2, trying to bore the pants off of everyone.
It's not a certainty, but the way I see it, it'll be United or Chelsea for the title, while City and Arsenal will most likely complete the top four in whatever order. I don't think Liverpool or Spurs are even close to those above them.
Fair enough, point taken. Still though, I reckon a Mancini 4-4-2 would essentially substitute a defensive midfielder for a centre forward and that would inherently make them more offensive.
My comment was in response to Chief's assertion that City were basically (with the addition of a Nasri type) as good as anyone in Europe.
Barca, United, Madrid and Chelsea are all still comfortably better.
City will compete heavily this season - but I suspect they'll fall short when it comes to juggling the demands of proper European competition with domestic arrangements. They couldn't even cope with the Europa last season.
That's fair enough, Mancini was hardly a great juggler at Inter, they couldn't even make the quarters of the CL with him in charge.
Barry Milner = carrick gigs IMO
United got far enough with an apparrent substandard midfield last season!
Aguero is a great addition to city no doubt about it, they will be a threat for every trophy the play for.
If SAF had that squad and team they would win everything in sight or come damn close.
I'm worried about city this year
For me, Mancini isn't daring enough to be a truly great manager. I always feel when we play City that if we put in a solid defensive performance, we'll not have anything to worry about, because they throw so little at you. Last season's cup semi was an anomaly, we've been very comfortable against them, even since they started throwing money around.
They'll not win enough matches to win the league. Just like Liverpool in 08/09, too many draws will scupper them.
With regard to the 'who's better than them in Europe?' conundrum - I also think that Arsenal would have too much for them over two legs.
They'll not win enough matches to win the league. Just like Liverpool in 08/09, too many draws will scupper them.
With regard to the 'who's better than them in Europe?' conundrum - I also think that Arsenal would have too much for them over two legs.
Barry and Milner are nowhere near Giggs and Carrick, as individuals or as a unit. There is just no comparison. We'd run roughshod over them every time if they picked those two.
Unfortunately, Mancini has a little nous and would be picking the likes of De Jong and Toure.
I would go with this. I think they'll keep up with us and Chelsea til the run in and drop out then, a bit like Arsenal used to. But they'll likely finish top 3 anyway.
City have a better midfield than us, not sure how anyone could argue that. I'm not speaking in terms of how you're comparing the players above, just in general.
I also think people are underrating Kun, he's already in the top 5 strikers in the world in my book, and will only get better with a better team around him. 100% the signing of the summer for me and I'm absolutely gutted he went to City.
The other 4 being?
You and I both know Wenger will bottle it.
I agree with this and when City win a PL , which will happen sooner rather than later , some on her will implode.
I really can see this season being a 2 way with us and City for the title.
Why is that actually important?
I could also throw back at you to name 5 that are better than him, and an endless cycle of "no he's not", "yes he is" would occur.
Aguero is a talent and should have moved a while ago IMO. IF City play the right system he will deliver for them, great signing.
No fecking way.Barry/Milner don't have the same tactical and technical awareness of the other individually or collectively.They're only younger and have more stamina.Barry/Milner aren't likely to play together much in CM
Because I thought t was a weird thing to claim.
Great signing and an exciting addition to the Premier League...
Well, at least they havent signed another player with a fecking massive ego.
Sky already started the wank fest over him.
How many times next season are Sky going to say , this is the biggest match in there history.
How many times next season are Sky going to say , this is the biggest match in there history.
I'd say he'll be a quality signing but feck me the Che Guevara of football? 
Also lets not forget the suggestion was that his preference was to stay in Madrid but Athletico wouldnt sell to Real.
Give it a season or two and i wont be surprised to hear he's missing Spain.
In the meantime though he could be a massive player for City.
Also lets not forget the suggestion was that his preference was to stay in Madrid but Athletico wouldnt sell to Real.
Give it a season or two and i wont be surprised to hear he's missing Spain.
In the meantime though he could be a massive player for City.
I just found out he 'told the sun'...
Sigh.
Sigh.
The real Che Guevara would probably hang Aguero by the balls for being a a greedy capitalist pig, lol. I like how modern celebrities, from movie stars to star athletes, seem to embrace this mythic rebellious character thinking it will make them look cool, while completely ignoring the fact that a man behind it stood against everything they represent.
No wonder people always say football players are dumb....
The quotes continue to be bizarre.
Aguero never plays in such a flash way.
These quotes sound made up :/
Aguero never plays in such a flash way.
These quotes sound made up :/
that is their standard phrase for anything said by anyone at a public press conference they haven't been banned from.
These quotes can't be real, doesn't sound anything like Aguero, and is in general, complete nonsense.
Great player, but we've all seen season in, season out that it's about a team gelling. Sure on paper City look good, and chances are they will perform well this coming season, but it takes a special gel to actually win the Premier League and this cannot be guaranteed. Then there are injuries and a feck load of other variables.
There have been seasons that the nay-sayers on the Caf have written United off only to be proven wrong. It's what is truly Unique about Manchester United and it baffles me that some people so easily forget. We're more than just a team. We're a unit of coaching staff, scouts, an incredbile manager and a bond beyond belief. It goes to show you that the essence of a successful football team has never changed.
City will be stronger this season on paper but I wouldn't be too quick to throw in the towel
There have been seasons that the nay-sayers on the Caf have written United off only to be proven wrong. It's what is truly Unique about Manchester United and it baffles me that some people so easily forget. We're more than just a team. We're a unit of coaching staff, scouts, an incredbile manager and a bond beyond belief. It goes to show you that the essence of a successful football team has never changed.
City will be stronger this season on paper but I wouldn't be too quick to throw in the towel
Great signing for City - they are going to be a real force next season, make no mistake about it.
What the deal with players signing for City and then become mental? De Jong is really the sane one on the pitch.
Aguero denied it on twitter supposedly.
Is twitter quickly becoming the British press worst nightmare?
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