Superblue

Yeah Mikel really struggled against xavi, iniesta and messi didn't he?! His positional awareness has become very good over the last year or two and he's underrated by lots of chelsea fans because he doesn't do special things everytime with ball. He doesn't have to when he has lamps alongside him, mata in front and luiz behind. He's not the quickest but neither are scholes and carrick, or busquets, or alonso - he shouldn't be isolated in the team so that his pace becomes a serious issue.

It is probably so Hulk has to force the move. The porto president will know fans will be unhappy so if Hulk engineers the move himself the club saves face.

It is probably so Hulk has to force the move. The porto president will know fans will be unhappy so if Hulk engineers the move himself the club saves face.

A 4-2-3-1 formation may be the making of him, but as mata's understudy in the central attacking position. He wouldn't suit playing deeper.

IMO the wide berths were the most important area to change this summer, which we look to be doing. I think Lampard can do a real good job over the next season or two in the double pivot. He's a clever player, a lot better technically aswell than people give him credit for. Obviously he wont play every game but i'd rather we buy a younger player to be groomed alongside lamps for the next season or two. Lets find the next modric for less than £10m! Mikel has also played well again the second half of this season and should stay on as a more defensive minded option.

I agree with this. People are basing their decisions on the napoli game. The problem was playing with meireles in the middle as both are similar box to box. Ramires could play there with the right player such as mikel or lampard. His goalscoring has improved, and his deep runs will be difficult to track and pick up. With a disciplined player alongside him, his energy and pace could be a big plus in the central area of the pitch. Teams like United dont play an orthodox holding midfielder but just jave players intelligent enough to hold runs if another pushes forward.

We have De Bruyne in his age category and with huge potential already. We need someone in their mid-20's and currently in their prime. Regardless of how successful Hazard becomes, Hulk will be a better fit for us mark my words.

I've campaigned for Hulk to join as my number one choice for the wide spots, and have preferred him over Hazard. Firstly losing Drogba will cause a real lack of strength and physicality in the attacking third which Hulk is capable of filling. Secondly he has proven to be a greater goal threat than Hazard. He will still offer a creative outlet to take some of the burden from Mata, but without trying to take over from Mata which I fear Hazard would feel the need to do. The goal threat is vital with Drogba seemingly leaving and it unfair to pin sole hopes on Torres to score the goals next season. And thirdly, some people seem to think we need an influx of young talent. We have plenty, the problem is bridging the gap between youth and the experienced crop. We now have a solid group of players who are in their mid-20's but I still feel we need 2 or 3 more big name players currently in or just hitting their prime to help bridge that gap. Hulk is in this category, Hazard is not yet.

I think sturridge will leave in the summer. I just have this feeling with a year on his contract he'll move back to city for the right offer. Therefore i would see hulk as sturridge's replacement. If malouda and kalou leave aswell which is very possible we may yet buy another winger to complement marin and hulk. I wouldn't be adverse to elia for the right price

Kalou, mata, sturridge, drogba Marin, mata, hulk, torres Anybody can surely see the improvement with that front line. He is the type of player who can reignite us back into title challengers.

He decimated bayern tonight. He plays in the same side as gotze, i'm sure he could play with and complement mata successfully.

How much do Fulham want as he only has one year left on his contract i believe - would be reluctant to pay upwards of £8m

Its nothing like Liverpool - they have spent millions on average english players for their first xi. A backup full back for a couple of mill is completely different. We cannot spend £15-20m on every player and i'm happy the club are thinking more at their targets and looking to make shrewd moves. Buying van der wiel, azpilicueta or someone similar is only an option if they are starters - the club can no longer afford with the FFP rules to spend big on players who wont play regularly.

At the time when he left, united had rafael, neville, o'shea and brown who could play right back. The fact rafael and fabio haven't developed how fergie would have liked shows every manager makes mistakes with youth. Also two players fergie let leave - gerard pique and guiseppe rossi and they've turned out ok. I understand your point on a younger option for ivanovic but IMO there are areas of the first xi which requires change. We have time to find a longer term right back option but we dont have time to find a new right winger. I'm not saying he's top quality by any means but he has been first choice in a team that will finish above us. Can i ask, given the transfer fee, wages and added bonus of a homegrown player, a better alternative?

I wonder how many people thought the same about Gary Cahill who was effectively an Aston Villa reject? I'm not saying he will pull up any trees but people have to look at it objectively. Would they rather spend £15m on a backup and then buy a £15m winger or save the money and spend the bulk on a special first choice player. We spent £16m on bosingwa it guarantees nothing, especially with our recent track record of right backs.

Rejected a 'final' contract offer from newcastle today of about £25k pw and lots of speculation now he'll sign for us. I think newcastle are preparing to sell for around £2-3m. I think if he is coming in to be a backup rb for ivanovic then it isnt bad. He's young, homegrown, cheap and has good premier league experience. IMO there isnt much out there better than ivanovic at rb so i would prefer we get a good backup cheap than pay upwards of £10m for someone not even guaranteed to be first choice. The money could be spent in better areas, namely further up the field.

That would also depend on who wants him and where he's prepared to move.

Just because city paid £27m for him doesnt mean he'll go for similar money. I can't see anyone stumping up more than £15m at the mo and considering the prices quoted for other strikers i think that is a good price. City will now start to find the same problems we encountered, being paying over the odds and having to accept losses on player sales when and if they want to move players on. Teams used to capitalise on us, so why not explore such a possibility at city's expense.

If we dont get champions league next season then he's a must buy for our europa league campaign then!

Our hands may be forced with Sturridge because he'll only have a year left on his contract, and i can just imagine him wanting a hefty wage. If city want him back and he wont extend his contract i'd happily trade for dzeko. But if he does stay he has to improve his mentality. He wants the central striking position because it feels goals and personal accolades are what matters to him. I also get the impression he wont have to track back or work hard up front. If he thinks that he'll have a big shock because us fans wont stand for it having become used to the work ethic of drogba down the years and torres this season.

Totally worth it. Another piece of history written into the record books and day to treasure as memories. For all the scousers bang on we now have as many FA Cup wins as them and only 4 behind leaders United now. People aren't going to look back in 10 years time and care if we finished 4th or 6th but an FA Cup win is always remembered. Also football success regularly takes place in cycles, so i just want to see as many trophies won as possible. Unless we're challenging for the league then i'd rather us focus our energy on winning the cups.

They loaned Spurs Adebayor.

They let Adebayor go to Spurs. It allows them to free up a high earner off their wage bill so they can sign new players. A loan would also allow one of their own scoring against rivals and not themselves. And the biggest plus for city is nobody will pay anywhere near the £27m they paid. But a good season out on loan will help them recoup a tidy fee - like adebayor. I hadn't thought of Dzeko, but should he be available in the summer and Drogba moves on it would be a clever short term fix that would also allow us to loan lukaku out for a season to give him the first team football he needs. If dzeko proved a success at the end of the loan then buy him, if not then it hasn't been a costly mistake.

Good player particularly for the low price due to his contract situation, and i would prefer to see him move abroad rather than an english rival. However agree with the general consensus in that we have more pressing areas to strengthen. I'm also happy with Cahill for £7m anyway - struggle to find much better value than that!

We could always ask them for store credit on the buys of Bosingwa and AVB - thats near enough £30m to buy either hulk or moutinho!