robsblubot

If fit, I think Nkunku can play in all 3 positions up front -- keyword being "fit". He does everything I complain Mudryk does not do, plus some. Cole is hardly a winger and played as a CAM towards the second half of the season. His development is pointing to a semi-free role which would reflect his importance in the squad. Even when he starts from the wing, he's still more of an AM and plays more centralized. Can't imagine Estevao or Paez making an impact immediately tbh.

Sterling is a complicated feeling thing that can only be answered internally (manager, coaches, and physios). Another season like this? no thank you. Definitely keep Madueke and sell Mudryk, which I hardly think is possible. Sadly, I think the only sellable of the 3 is actually Noni (physical, tall, hard-working and on low wages). Sterling must be on super high wages. I like the fact the club is looking at the wings tho. This whole thing is still a competition and our opponents have much better options there atm. And that's counting Nkunku who will need to remain fit for most of the season.

If manager Cesc is going to be anything like player Cesc, he and Mourinho couldn't be any more different in terms of playing style.

😆 For the record, my point is that the jobs have completely different requirements. e.g. I disagree that a smaller club manager's success can be easily applied to a top club... same the other way around.

Sure, the right side is dire esp because the better CBs play on the left. I think that's slightly easier (cheaper too) to fix than adding quality on the wings tho... like keeping Trevoh? I just look back at this season and cannot imagine competing for anything with Mudryk and Madueke on the wings. Most opposition have the same quality, some better, and the best PL teams have a lot better (quality and options). If Nkunku is fit, and Sterling gets his shit together, maybe things could be different next season, but that's a lot of ifs. The reality is that Nkunku was unavailable for most of the season, and Sterling was a well-paid passanger.

That’s the one I’d keep given his hard work and overall characteristics (physically). would like to have less direct options as starters, like Palmer for ex. Mudryk and madueke started way too many matches due to nkunku and enzo fitness issues, and I can’t just assume that can’t happen again… esp nkunku given his history. Nkunku for me is twice the player than either one tho.

Palmer has been playing centralized when we've had our best results. Sterling was clearly not trusted enough to start many matches. Mudryk numbers are poor and his overall contribution in matches is even worse; loses pretty much every 50/50 sometimes does not even try. Madueke clearly struggles against physical defenders as it happened in the last few matches. Completely disagree with the bolded part. I can't understand how one can look at Palmer play, then look at Mudryk and Madueke and talk bout "huge potential" 🤷‍♂️ We are not supposed to be a club to wait until players learn to play at the level we need them to be at. How many years are we going to wait for them to learn to play football? We need ready players and if Madueke improves he will get more minutes. Mudryk should be elsewhere not good enough for a sub.

Wings is priority number 1 for me. lucas paqueta officially charged by FA — what a dumbass. .

That’s because McKenna is a nobody. Ten Hag being a bad manager does not make McKenna any better than he is. there is also the point of direct style which I disagree with with most here: for me the club signed players and managers to play quick and direct. Don’t see any evidence that they want possession style anywhere.

I’d definitely go with Pep (center).

Agreed. I'd still like to understand how a club signs Fofana for any meaningful fee, and on top of that on a regular long-term deal.... I'm unsure about Conor tbh. Like, I don't know what his tier is yet.

Yes, CL is a single-elimination competition where his style of play is less effective. Going behind late in a single elimination game and you are likely going out. I'd actually argue that CL is dominated more by players than managers... having the players who can win you matches is mandatory, which is why they went for Haaland. League is different. His (positional -- that he authored) style of play is really consistent in those competitions. I totally see a huge difference in City before and after Pep took the helm, but that's me. 🤷‍♂️ Would they win like they do without the players? of course not. Can't win at this level without the top players. The best F1 pilots always end up driving the best cars eventually.

Agreed, and? why is that important? He started and will end as a top manager for big clubs. Whether he can employ a defensive formation that works at a smaller club is irrelevant IMO. I think your analysis is too focused on results, and expectations based on investment; reminder that we overspent all clubs in the last 2 seasons. I suggest looking at Pep focusing on considering consistency and playing style. I think he's well above average with the consistency, and authored the style in which City plays (and Arsenal attempts to implement). That playing style helps provide that consistency esp in long championships like the PL. Consistently dominate the PL is very different from Germany or even Spain. So much so that Pool managed to disrupt that in a season, but it did not last. Reminder City won everything they played last season.

Considering what we've been getting lately, yeah he is. 😆 De Zerbi just like Potter had no "time" at Bayern. It'd be a dream job for either one. This idea that a manager will come and make players become what they are not is really bizarre to me. It works at lower tier sides, but not at this level in a level playing field. It's really more about the players. The manager either adapts to the players he's got, or he goes to the market and signs what he wants, but it's still the players executing on the pitch. The right tactics can get you there, being competitive, but in the end it's always the top players making the difference, which is why they are so expensive. Also, Brighton was absolutely dreadful this season.... another few rounds and they would end fighting relegation. You are being nice here. Brighton, for me, was one of the worst sides in the PL this season. I "made" myself watch their games to see what the was fuzz about and saw absolutely awful football played.

Is this a joke? Did the club NOT know Pochettino employed a high pressing and direct style?! Personally I think that style is perfect for the current crop of players. They list 6 players out of 11 starters, some of which played little this season. Teams who do what they claim the club wants even have a goalie that fits that style! Mudryk and Madueke are extremely direct players and wingers are kinda important to keep possession. Also interesting Caicedo and Conor aren't mentioned, no?

It's de Zerbi after the amazing season Brighton had. It's well deserved.

We know that, but does the club? 2 wingers if Sterling leaves. I'd also add a mid unless the physios say Lavia was a one-time thing and there is no reason to expect the same again. These players were out for the entire season. That's NOT normal.

It kinda does if you believe, and there are reasons to, that the main goal is to increase the valuation of the players. in order to do that, they need some result ASAP. These "assets" won't drastically increase in value without CL... as some of us have warned from the get go. Now, the new manager will be at the mercy of Nkunku's knee or we will end up with Mudryk and Noni on the wings.... yeah good luck with that.

Was thinking of someone closer... 🙂 Social Media == Crack

and apparently Tuchel is not the only one who should stay off that crack. 😆

Hopefully, yes, but people tend to diminish the importance of the opposition. Enzo's numbers would look very different if he had participated in one of these easier matches.

Enzo was made ready for the toughest games of the season (for good reason) and rested on the easy ones. As much as I think he struggled with fitness without a doubt, looking at the team performance with and without him is just extremely unfair to him.

Another Brighton bloke would tick the right box (yes-man).

Ten Hag is going to become available soon, btw. 😅

Heh I remember pellegrini’s city — nothing special. Yes, the club had a clear vision. They wanted to play in that particular style; style which Pep authored. Pep successfully implemented that style everywhere he went, so they knew exactly what they were going to get with him.