Tomo

That's the thing, we need to try and keep them both sweet for 2/3 years then we got a potential beastly partnership on our hands

This may sound controversial but I wouldn't be partial to see Zouma spend a year or two on loan to an Everton, Valencia level club of we get Stones. He is still pretty raw and I reckon he could do a Tibo.

The problem was our squad as a whole stagnated big time, even in the double season there were some serious warning signs but the ending we had with one game a week covered that up, in 10-11 it was obvious from the start something was not right, even in the two early 6-0s we weren't as good as the scores suggested, West Brom outplayed us for most of the first half and against Wigan we were dreadful but just happened to score from every chance we created. When it all came to a head vs Sunderland I wasn't shocked one bit, in fact it was only Cech that prevented the same thing happening against Wolves few weeks before that.

I think he had a couple of years and a CL campaign on Stones, also inflation has to be considered aswell, not to mention the need for a HG core at the club. Hopefully we can negotiate the price at around £20-25m but if we have to pay the extra few then so be it.

There is absolutely no way our budget is restricted to just the Yokohama money + what is made for player sales. City's punishment for breaking the rules last summer was their spending "restricted" to £50m, I highly doubt we have less of a budget.

People thought £30m for Ferdinand was too much. It might be a bit steep initially, but we won't say that in his testimonial.

Of course it's an if, any player would be but it's good Jose is trying to do something about it, as good as Matic-Cesc has been for flat track bullying, there's a reason one of Rami/Mikel were always in the line up in the big game's. I'm only going from what I've heard but like I said Aranguiz seems like a decent middle ground between the two (Matic and Cesc) not as good as those two in what there good at but can do the things both are weak at better (especially defending in Cescs case).

I don't think its so much big players that we need to improve in that regard but players that help the tactics. Last season CM was a problem in big games and imo the main reason for our passive tactics, Mikel-Matic gave us very little in the way of going forward, Matic-Cesc the opposition would target the latter's not so great defensive game, Rami with any combination we could never build any serious momentum due to the fact he has the football brain of an hyena. If Aranguiz is the player people say he is (and settles well) he will help a lot in big games.

When we were 7 points ahead of them in March people were still convinced they were going to catch us It's insane, I mean imagine if we were 7 points behind a Mourinho team with a harder run in and Pellegrini as our boss? No one would give us a prayer (not even Supporter) however some were convinced they were going to chase us down within weeks. They did eat up and 8 point gap but that was a bit misleading due to contrasting fixtures, natural order was restored quickly after the White Hart Lane debarcle.

I think so, the Di Matteo situation dispelled the myth Roman judges managers on CL success.

What would make you consider a "youth success" for the season? Would just RLC integrated with 20 or so games (subs or otherwise) be enough? Or would you want a couple more to get a step closer? Personally for me, the former would be more than enough (even if half of them were off the bench when the game was safe) anything else would be a bonus but it would be interesting to hear other views on this subject.

Team's do spend but its how the team evolves that is the key. United after winning it in 2011 signed Young, Jones and De Gea and actually improved, the only problem for them was so did City and with it nicked the title of them. City in 2012 fucked up big time, signed loads of squad fillers thst simply weren't good enough. United in 2013 wasted the market, but there was clearly special circumstances with the Fergie to Notes transition. City last year singed decent players but made a mistake letting Negredo go and we were simply better in the season. To early to judge our window this time but if we sign Pedro, Aranguiz and another defender to boost the back line, I would consider it a success.

I think he has solid squad player/first team mid table potential about him but the initial hype in hindsight is ridiculous.

Quite honestly, we should just focus on giving RLC first team progression next season, anyone else can wait. If Ruben makes 20 appearances (even if 10 of them are 20 minute cameos with the game safe) then I would say the "youth project" has been successful for the season.

If Remy goes I'd love us to get him instead of Pedro (I would be happy with him too). He can play out wide, score goals which we need in this team and we won't need to worry as much if Costa gets injured. Lacazette-----Willian/Oscar-----Hazard ---------------------Costa----------------------------- That's about 70 goals in all comps from those players alone right there. It won't happen, but its nice to dream every now and again.

He reminds me off Malouda in that respect, i.e. can perform as the "3rd best player" and be amazing when the sun's shining on his team but don't expect him to be the one that stands up when things are going shit to dig City out of a hole.

Of course their going to say that now after what Sterlings done, it's quite clearly the fan in denial coming out, especially from Thompson. I bet anything they wouldn't have said that last summer.

Most of the loan army will get sold to help fund new signings rather than actually make it. The reality is in the cut and throat buisness of the top level of footy if we can enter the 2019/2020 season with two academy players and two loan army players (not including Tibo) in the 23 man squad we have done very very well.

Well as good as he undoubtably is and brilliant for us to have as a #2, I'm not convinced he will be #1 for any of the top clubs in Europe (i.e. ones who can pull of the CL without it being an epic fluke show), I'm going to be controversial here but I had the same opinion with Cudicini (I felt the Italian was partial to costly mistakes, in fact in the two years leading up to him being dropped for Pete he made bad errors at Old Trafford and Highbury both season's that lost us points, I'm not saying he wasn't great for us because he was, but that side of his game was always going to count against him in battle with Petr, or any cream of the crop keeper).I think he (back to Asmir now) just fancied a shot at the top even as a number 2, and if he wins medals then wants to return to being a first choice somewhere at 30, he can do that with many years ahead of him

He's not world class but he has already shown he can work in a top team, one of the best ever no less. And like you said, he scores goals and apart from Costa, Hazard, Remy and an in form Oscar we hardly have any goals in the squad at all, I know JT and Ivan chip in with more than the average defender but we can't rely on goals from defence.

I sort of disagree, I do feel we need to buy as we showed last time resting on our laurels will come back to bite us sooner or later and another need for evolving is that eventually be too predictable, like Real were in Mous last season. Doesn't have to be a world class signing but take Aranguiz for example, if what I've heard about him is right he would be a very good addition at CM especially in the big game's.

If he plays in the shield vs Arsenal and keeps a clean sheet, four Chelsea keepers would have played against them since their last goal against us.

A bit of perspective for people getting their knickers in a twist over transfers. This time last week United fans were panicking like we were now look, if we get to the end of July and still nothing ill join you in worrying but for now, don't worry, this time next week things could be a lot different.

If we replace Mikel it has to be with another expierence player, letting a player who for all his flaws has played and shone in numerous big game's and cup finals for an youngster who has barely played any first team football ever is footballing suicide.Furthermore I can hardly see him retiring at Chelsea, chances are he won't get a new deal when it runs out

Most weeks two at most will play, Rooney and Fellani are untouchable in LVGs system.