Lots of announcements on 1 day (probably Tuesday) or an announcement every day across the week?
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Lots of announcements on 1 day (probably Tuesday) or an announcement every day across the week?
Not convinced Norgaard and Zubimendi for Jorginho and Partey makes us much better, pretty much a push for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by PSRB
So we need a significant signing, one that improves us from the first game. Sesko or Gyokeres? Not so sure. Rodrygo, I think so but taking Gabi out of the team can only improve us so much.
So maybe the improvement we need must come from Arteta?
MA loves Martinelli (as do I) because he works his arse off tracking back as well as going forward. I fully expect both him and Odegaard to be back to their season before levels.Quote:
Originally Posted by WES
Zubimendi is an improvement, one of Europe's most highly rated midfielders. Agree on Norgaard but can imagine he's cover, bring on towards end of matches.
Sesko or Gyokeres....both?
Kepa, top draw reserve keeper for ?5m, bargain.
Eze or Rodrygo, don't mind either but would be the end of Trossard.
Pretty much agree with all of that. But I like Leo. He scored 17 in a season mostly from LW - like Anders in '91 and Overmas in '98. Don't think Bobby P ever broke 15 [though shedloads of assists as well.}Quote:
Originally Posted by PSRB
I suspect Zubimendi is going to prove a bit of an upgrade, although maybe not immediately. Tough ask though. Partey was an exceptional midfielder. Jorginho was almost unusable last season so Norgaard is probably an upgrade. The issue with the midfield s going to be the gap between the first choice (Zubimendi and Rice) and the replaceents (Norgaard and Merino). That is quite a gap.....Quote:
Originally Posted by PSRB
Agree re Martinelli. Arteta simply is not going to tolerate a wide player that won't do their defensive and pressing work. So these are tough positions to fill. Wouldn't be surprised if we don't sign anyone and stick with what we have.
Was thinking the other day, he hasn't actually signed a forward (let alone a striker) since Trossard. I know Havertz and Merino have both played up front but they were not signed to play there.
We will sign a striker. But I wouldn't be surprised if it is someone who hasn't been mentioned yet.....
The improvement needs to come from those players who underperformed last year, and from Arteta. We have to go back to looking to dominate games rather than destroy them.Quote:
Originally Posted by WES
Tuesday - Kepa announcedQuote:
Originally Posted by PSRB
Wednesday - Chloe KellyQuote:
Originally Posted by PSRB
Would you?Quote:
Originally Posted by PSRB
Where is this ****ing Spanish lad? The whole saga has gone on for months.....Quote:
Originally Posted by PSRB
Odd one, sometimes she looks lovely, sometimes not.Quote:
Originally Posted by WES
Leah Williamson is a carpet muncher, always thought she was straight. Pretty sure that makes Chloe the only straight player in women's team....not that it matters.
Tomi gone, shame about the injuriesQuote:
Originally Posted by PSRB
Just saw that. Shame, he is decent when fit.Quote:
Originally Posted by PSRB
Who will clean Ben Godfrey's boots now?
Gabriel 'Gringo' Heinze in?
Hence the bid for that Valencia defender, which has now gone very quiet. Shame, I liked Tomi.....Quote:
Originally Posted by IUFG
Nico Williams isn't coming that's for sure (not that I ever thought he was). 10 (Ten) year contract extension and 50% increase in his release clause. His agent's done well but not sure it exactly shows ambition.
10 years?????? ****ing hell......Quote:
Originally Posted by PSRB
The Bilbao Le TissierQuote:
Originally Posted by Peter
You have to wonder if Arteta remains keen on Vllahovic, now that David?s off to Juve ?Quote:
Originally Posted by PSRB
I'm not convinced that Arteta is really that keen on any striker.... this could drag on all summer. And may not get resolved.....Quote:
Originally Posted by 7sisters
You have to hope this is not some stand off between him and the new guy. That relationship is far more important than any individual signing.
Arteta needs to embrace change if he hopes to go beyond next season. At the least that means greater squad rotation amongst the key players.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter
I fear this is the biggest hurdle. His approach to coaching makes regular rotation quite disruptive. Very precise, very planned, almost restrictive. Consistent selection worked fairly well when we only had the Europa League to worry about. With the Champions League, it is just too many games.Quote:
Originally Posted by 7sisters
You have to wonder whether last season's injuries were in part the cumulative effect of overplaying key players for several years.
without a doubt.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter
Man City, at their best, would leave a player out, who'd previously started the last half-dozen matches, for 3 or 4 games.
Squad depth and trust in that depth. It's the trust thing with Arteta imo.
City also regularly shuffle their defence, moving them around to different positions and bringing other players in. Our centre backs simply do not shift, at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by IUFG
The irony is that Arteta seeks defenders who can play multiple positions but then ends up using them in only one. Ben White now never plays at centre back. Calafiori still hasn't played there......
A Saka or an Odegaard are rarely going to get rested, and that is understandable. City do have key players who will play every game (eg Rodri).
and that one player, Rodri, was the one that broke.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter
Have you seen our CL ranking for next season? We only just scrape into the 2nd seeds. Though a good run and the year after we might be a first seed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter
Excellent point. You posted a decent article awhile ago in which Unai Emery talked about the different leadership roles within clubs. He quoted Jorge Valdano talking about the two big Madrid sides and Barcelona; three organisations, three different chiefs. At Real it was Florentino Perez, at Atletico it is Diego Simeone, while at Barca it was Lionel Messi; so a president, a manager and a player. If these individuals do their jobs well, the team/club will be successful.Quote:
Originally Posted by WES
Emery noted his own experiences at PSG where, while as head coach he wanted to be in charge, he could never really come to terms with the truth that, in fact, Neymar was the anointed one, the de facto boss expected to lead the club to glory. He found that a problem.
As for us, our leader is Mikel Arteta, it's all on him.
If today's rumours are to be believed we are about to pay an awful lot of money for a chelsea player who would exist solely as cover for Saka and an obstscle to Nwaneri.Quote:
Originally Posted by redgunamo
If this is true, I am frankly astonished. I can't think of anything we need less.
I also find that rumour a bit disturbing. He?s a decent enough winger but clearly he?s had his run at Chelsea and not nailed that position down. He?s arguably gone too far down the road to play back up to Saka, so what?s the point.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter
Nwaneri is looking like he?s stalling on his own contract extension, although, he also won?t play support to Saka indefinitely either.
I?d prefer us to take a punt on either Eze or Rodrygo (unused again at Real tonight ) as Martinelli?s form has been indifferent at best.
I?ve no idea what?s happening at CF. The rumours are exhausting and I?ve got a bit bored with the same two names.
I can't think why on earth we would be looking for a left footed winger. Unless Nwaneri is leaving..... but then we do tend to surprise people most summers and focus on areas we thought were sorted. Surely we have reached pur limit.on chelsea players now....Quote:
Originally Posted by 7sisters
I know we take our time confirming things but they seem to be running out of excuses over this Zubimendo thing. The striker stuff will go on all summer.
Actually exchanging said Chelsea player for Nwaneri :-\Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter
That is the nightmare scenario. And the only way the signing would make sense :-(Quote:
Originally Posted by redgunamo
We want a team of strapping six-footers.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter
We have them. I want more of the fiddly ball wizards. An Alex James. Santi Cazorla. Rosicky.Quote:
Originally Posted by redgunamo
I want those guys
Yes, we do. The manager (perhaps EVERY manager) wants players like himself, like he was as a player. And added to that, players who address whatever shortcomings he himself had as a player. In Arteta's case, that would be decent ball-players who also possess that natural physicality and presence that goes with simply being big and strong.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter
George Graham would have forced george graham the footballer out of the club.Quote:
Originally Posted by redgunamo
Looking like Gyokeres...... rumours gathering pace tonight. Big. Strong. ****. :-)
No! For all the talk of fanny-dancing and "strolling", George could compete, especially in the air. His heart signing/player was probably Alan Smith. For Mikel it would be Rice or Merino.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter
For Mikel, surely it is Zubimendi....Quote:
Originally Posted by redgunamo
I do recall my dad telling me that George was very good in the air.
Alan Smith...... what a fine centre forward :-)
Yeah, or Busquets.Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter
They say our purported new superstar centre forward cannot head the ball. I hope we'll find that he can and that he's just never been asked :-\
Got Havertz and Gabi for that. Other than set pieces we don't really cross the ball in the air.Quote:
Originally Posted by redgunamo