robsblubot

KK was a terrible signing and I questioned it from day one--just another case of the grass is always greener which we do a lot of here. Pulisic is twice the player Mudryk is. It's not just opinion, because Mudryk simply hasn't produce anything remotely close to what Pulisic has, even in his poor seasons, let alone when he was firing in all cylinders. Note that I'm not saying Pulisic is good enough for Chelsea, but there is really no comparison between him and Mudryk right now. Mendy is/was an excellent goalie who produced a magical season for us. Kepa really hasn't done anything remotely close to good enough at this level. Once again, I'm going with what has already happened vs it has not yet happened. RLC vs who? Gallagher? former is the better player. Can Gallagher improve? possibly, but then again he may not and what we see is what we get.

How do you know that? a crystal ball? (you are the one presenting the "on paper" opinions) You are comparing absolute question marks with established players who won CL. I have to say that's the kind of BS I can't deal with in these forums. People focus on a season to prove a point and then make up shit up about nobodies who join the club. I remember when folks were obsessed with Sancho here, and he turned out being a pretty average player so far. Oh wow that's some novel idea right there! City will be surprised by our cleverness!

Losing players, especially starters and key players, can only be a good thing if the players who stay, or are signed, are at least at the same level of the ones who have left. The roster is much weaker compared to previous season (quality and experience). There are gaping holes in the wings, with questionable options. The CM situ is certainly concerning even with Caicedo who, compared to Kova, is no more than a very expensive bet (on potential).

The current crop of players is not of top4 quality IMO. I don't even know what to expect of Sterling considering how little and poorly he performed last season. He did not look that fit to my eyes either.

It's a relation with his current wages and his valuation: and it's off right now. His wages are (way) too high for the player he is, which lowers his fee.

Remember when this thread only talked about Sancho... Hope Caicedo eventually becomes what we expect of him.

lol friendlies are glorified training sessions. Will this thread follow the same pattern as many others here? Will it remain quiet when he plays well? 😃 Might place some bets here... should be fun. I think mount is going to do well at United. How well? that's a better question, and as usual also depends on United as a team, but based on what I saw from united in the previous seasons, I think Mount will make them stronger, which in turn will help him perform well; they lacked balance, esp some steel on the wings IMO, and Mount provides exactly that.

it is indeed bizarre. Being successful generates hate by definition in competitive sports, because only one wins each comp, so we always have to beat someone or someones to win anything. on the other hand, there is the dual standards as you point out. I think it may be specific to Russia money (Chelsky and whatnot), so that might change with what so looks like a much dumber money being the club. 😅

We are now monitoring both U21 and friendlies to analyze performance... dark times ahead. 😅

no such a thing. 😅

Reminds me a bit of Kova actually: super skillful on the ball with nice dribbling in tight spaces. Remains to be seen how raw he is at the tactical aspects, which will likely determine whether he will stay or go out on loan.

What would prevent him from unresigning tomorrow if he feels like it? serious question

No argument about the bad seasons before, but we've also had amazing seasons under the previous leadership. Under the current leadership we've only had a terrible, perhaps the worst? season. So, is it fair to assume the new leadership will *eventually* reach similar level of success in the future? Have to say the first sample isn't great. I get the nuance, but I also call it the way I see it. The current challenges could be caused by the the momentary situation, sheer incompetence, or a bit of both. We don't know that yet. Speaking for myself now, I am pessimistic about the near future considering the moves so far.

It is bizarre the love for the fucker who, so far, has only produced one of(?) the worst seasons in recent memory.

That leaves Mudryk as the only available sub for Sterling, doesn't it? Sounds super risky to me, but suppose folks have lots of faith here.

Yeah don't care about Gallagher peanut value, but the issue with bad players in the roster is that they end up on the pitch, which is not what we want. Getting worried with Arsenal now. Good signings and they just got rid of Xhaka. 😕

Which makes all the more bizarre, if reports are right, that they are willing to let Bernardo go. He's 28 and looks pretty energetic when on the pitch. I think I see it--which is the reason I don't rate him as a key player (for me City has 2 of those and that's it)--he struggles in certain types of games. I agree he's good enough esp in the PL, so he'd fit right in that right wing just fine. They may have something lined up which we don't know about.

Yeah I get that and makes sense to me as well: developing good players into great players. Cucurella was such a signing... perhaps they should have paid more attention to his technique vs physique (& energy), but the idea made sense. My problem is that we are signing players who aren't even good yet, regardless of age. Under normal conditions, Mudryk wouldn't be playing anymore. That's the challenge at this level: you need to find younger players who are already serviceable, otherwise they won't get minutes due to the natural competition at this level. Mudryk isn't that young anymore either. Same with Madueke: either he improves tenfold or he won't play.

Sorry, but if the player needs U21 level to shine and develop as a player, then I'm no longer sure we should bother with him. I've seen countless players from U21 Brazil who never even became serviceable footballers. Even an older 22 player with better physique (pace and power) will have a huge advantage amongst u21 players. It's just not the level we need players at.

Are we seriously counting Mudryk assists at U21 level?! 😅

Dunno if already discussed, this thread is crazy fast, but rumor section on BBC (yeah I know) says Bernardo Silva may be avail for a reasonable fee. As someone who thinks he's overrated, I still think he is an excellent player, so a move for him would evidently make sense esp given our gaping hole on the right wing.

Hmm I find it hard to not criticize the professionals involved in those deals. Their issues as players, and professional footballers, were always well-known. I understand betting on someone recovering his form after say a frank talk, or whatnot, but Lukaku's deal was just too expensive for a bet. And Auba was just unrecoverable at his age and clear physical decline (of a player already mentally weak). I do suspect an element of (super) agent pushing, and side deals we aren't aware of.

Agreed. I like to compare him to Muller. Kai would be a more skillful, while Muller a better finisher, but they both play a very particular role which is somewhat not super easy to work with. Muller, in theory, would be more of a fit to play 9, but suspect that has already been tried to moderate success? Still, Kai is young enough and could surprise us all yet. I also don't think that's likely, but stranger things have happened in football.

Boehly runs whatever he wants. He probably has better things to do, and has already delegated that as many here stated, but suppose that can change on a whim.

Joe was such a good player, but sadly his body gave up fairly early. 😕 Think Mount is far more athletic than Joe, while Joe was more creative.