Tomo

Koulibaly, Christensen loan return, Darmain, Kante, Radja, Morata??

In defense especially Conte seems to have a plan F which is good. Someone said something the other day about last summer which made me wonder, did Jose go to the board and said he wanted Pogba and Stones and offered no back up plans? Wouldn't rule it out. Conte's dream seems to be getting Bonnuci here, but is fully prepared for the (let's be honest) probability he says no, so has formed back up plans, hence the links with Koulibaly, Rudiger and Manolas.

Actually winning it will be tough, Pep and pre third season Jose is formidable opposition, but the right window mixed with Conte's tactics and I'll be amazed if we don't challenge.

Yeah Belgium had that chance with Lukaku, but on the flip side, Pelle missed that sitter then Courtois made that great save, so it could be flipped to say if those chances are taken, game over before the hour. Like I said whatever happens in this tournament has no bearing on what could happen here, but he got it spot on tonight.

Too early to compare the two, when Conte subs the keepers that's when we can declare ourselves winners of the domestic treble and the X factor

Whatever happens in this tournament won't have any bearing on what happens with us, but have to say, last ten minutes aside, Italy had total control. If he can get us playing like that regularly, he will be the best appointment since Jose the first time, fingers crossed.

Origi has done more in ten minutes, also did anyone see his movement that the pundits flagged up at half time? Awful, Costa would have ran the other side of the defender and got played through on goal, his staticness and shit movement is a huge problem vs teams that have a good and intelligent defense.

We should try and get him back this summer, this year there is a real opening for him to try and win a place, if Zouma comes back and hits the ground running (although thats a huge if) and Koulibaly signs, they could be established which would make it tough for Andreas.

It's June ffs

Early in under the Sheiks, City "gave the clubs what they wanted". It resulted in them spending £70m combined on Lescott, Milner and Barry.

Were you on the City board in the early Sheikh era?

The big question was, can he be as good in a team that controls possesion and takes the initive? If this half is anything to go by hes even better.

He could come on the wing when we are leading, help defend the flank and press to keep us in the front foot, or he could come on when chasing a game and his pressing will help us keep the ball high up and chase an equalise, worked a treat vs Spurs. As far as being the superstar we thought/hoped he can be, forget it, but depth has been a big issue for us since 2010, and would Oscar really be that bad a rotation player? Of course I wouldn't be upset if he was sold, but he does have some uses.

Crespo was my favroite all time non Chelsea player before we got him, all that summer it looked like Vieiri was the man we were getting from Inter, when it changed to Crespo in the last minute i was so excited it felt only one step below winning a trophy.

Its quite funny because out of our major grade one legends of the Roman era, only Drogba and Terry have not joined another English club and won't risk their legacy's by doing it. The category just below of Cole, Essien, Carvalho and by the sounds of it Crespo, are the ones that have remained with only us as far as English clubs are concerned (the first three have all gone on record saying they went out of their way to avoid playing for another English club).

Agree about PSG but with Barca we hadno choice, that team in 2012 most of our players of one of two profile, ex greats well and truly into father time and players simply not good enough. Sit back and pray was our only option, and somehow we did it.

Maybe he raised the bar too high in the seasons before that but I thought he was below average that season, and not that much better in 08-09, which again saw vastly improved defense when Alex came in. We were conceding so many soft goals in the air, and it was no coincidence that it got better when Ricky was replaced for Alex, I also remember him getting ripped a new one by Jason Scotland of all people in that 3-1 Wigan game. That's why I'm pleasantly surprised he is still not only playing but internationally aswell, I thought he had it after that season. 04-08 he was almost flawless, his last two seasons he was below par for me, maybe he got too comfortable, something he alluded to just before he left.

The centre of the pitch is what needs sorting, Id happily do a deal with the devil and have one more season of Ivan at right back if I'm offered Koulibaly, Christensen return, and two of Radja, Kante and Joao Mario, heck I'll even sign up for a Bosingwa return if we can sort that bloody middle out.

Is it defiently comfirmed re Andreas? Honestly I think this would be the best summer to bring him back. If for argument sake we signed Koulibaly this summer, then Zouma comes back with a bang, he will find it hard to break that, but this year there is a real opening for Christensen to claim a place. We should do whatever it takes to get him back, even offer Ake as a sweetener.

He's like the winger version of Connor Wickham, has a decent spell once a season for about four games then is crap for the rest of the time. I still laugh when I remember Didierforevers meltdown after Moses netted early on for WHU.

If she hasn't found a new job by then i genuinely wouldn't be surprised to see her on I'm a Celebrity this year.

Edie: NM

@We Hate Scouse you heard anything about this?

Put Ruben as an alternative to Cesc, those two on the same team is counter attack heaven for the opposition.

Haha, imagine the meltdown if we signed him last summer when he was a complete unknown, the usual suspects would have wanted the boards head on a plate