The freshness of city

[SummerOnions]

It got me thinking after that Carragher piece that did the rounds about 9 of the players starting in the 2019 final playing against City and how much of a toll that must have taken, with 7 players also starting our loss in Kiev.

Then I thought about the City side that won the league two years in a row. Missing Agüero and David Silva, but added Foden, Cancelo, Zinchenko plays more, and they bought Rodri and Ruben Dias. Noone else really is a key player for them. They had a huge dip last season and then only really added one CB in the summer that plays regularly.

So what does that mean for us? When van Dijk and Jota come back, Jones continues to mature and become a regular 90 minute player we rely on, we're probably not that far away.

Maybe we just need to rotate more even when things are going not so well. I don't have the stats on how many games the city players play but I bet the minutes are way less on average.

 

[Frogfish]

I think we are right up there. This season has definitely been a sad anomaly for us because in a normal season, and without this plethora of injuries, we'd be leading/challenging for the title again, this squad deserves it and I hope this confluence of issues hasn't blown their chance.

We have the spine in place for 2 more seasons : Alisson, VvD, Robbo, TAA, Hendo, Thiago, Fabs, Mane, Salah, Jota. Arguably Firmino but his star does seem to be on the wane. There are not a lot of spots we need to improve on, just better squad players and to establish a CB alongside VvD but we've now 5 in contention and if the rumours are true we'll add another in the Summer. We must be able to get 4 reliable CBs out of that lot !

 

[Bradley]

Apart from taking the massive risk in the summer with centre backs, I'd say our approach to refreshing the squad has been flawless.

Jota in as an option for the front 3 and Thiago for midfield.

In terms of looking at who we will need to replace from our starting 11 in the near future, Bobby is the main issue. Maybe Jota does that, I'd like someone who can come in and do what Bobby does but score a few more goals.... Probably asking quite a lot with that.

 

[ibromurph]

I agree with Carra. We need another 3-4 players. A 4th CB is obvious. Maybe we have him in Kabak.

I'd also consider buying the fastest, strongest young RB we can find (someone who can deal with a Sterling or Rashford, in a similar way to AWB or Robbo can). I know Lamptey looks great going forward, and is as quick as Sterling/Rashford, I wonder if he has the abilty to defend them well? Anyways, we need something there because Trent doesn't seem to have the ability for it, without Hendo protecting him.

That would allow us to move Trent to midfield to replace Milner (as the versatile midfielder/RB against lesser teams).

We'll also need to replace Gini as a strong ball carrying box to box midfielder. Bissouma seems to have the physicality for it. Technically I haven't watched him and enough. And I'm not sure if he is any threat in and around the box (assisting/scoring). And to be honest, I'm a little tired of having a coward in the 8 role (albeit one who is reliable).

Then I think it's clear we need more in the forward line. Shaq is a good 10min sub if all else fails and will only ever be that. Jota provides good cover for Bobby/Mane/Salah. We need one more in the Jota mould who can cover the 3 positions, so in case one is injured (i.e. Jota) we have another option to rotate with. Maybe we go back to Wolves and look at one of Troare/Neto.

 

[Hansern]

I agree with a lot of what's said here, and not to bring this thread over to a who should we sign. But to add to the attack this summer I'd sign Patson Daka.
Perfect player to integrate to our attack. 22 years old, lightning pace, goal scorer and tops the charts in pressures in attack.
Plays for RB Salzburg and is apparently available for 25 mill £.

I bet Klopp would turn this lad into superstar.

 

[tombrown]

Apart from taking the massive risk in the summer with centre backs, I'd say our approach to refreshing the squad has been flawless.

Jota in as an option for the front 3 and Thiago for midfield.

In terms of looking at who we will need to replace from our starting 11 in the near future, Bobby is the main issue. Maybe Jota does that, I'd like someone who can come in and do what Bobby does but score a few more goals.... Probably asking quite a lot with that.

I assume the thinking was that between Jota & Minamino we would have ample cover for the front 3, allowing Firmino to be rotated either directly for one of them or indirectly by allowing Mane or Salah to move in the middle. The problem is we can't do what City did with their defence and keep buying big until we eventually get it right.

 

[tomasjj]

We need a 4th center back, yes, I reckon we will try for Ben White again.

However, due to lack of success with some signings lately, ware rapidly nearing the stage where we have to blood in the replacements of both key midfielders and forwards.

Gini, obviously needs replacing. Hendo is also getting older. Milner, well.
Good thing Jones is doing fine, but Keita and Ox are just making up the numbers, and not showing promise to step up and claim a place in the first 11.

First of all someone like Tielemans to replace Gini.
McGinn looks an ok player too, but I don't think he could be more than a squad player, replacing Milner, and not a starter.
Not seen enough of Bissouma.

Up front, both Mane and Salah are 29, but we have Jota.
Still, we need someone to rotate with Firmino. Origi needs shooting.
A pie in the sky wishlist would be a young forward who can also link up play.
Some of our attempts have not worked out so far, like Minamino. Shaq is just an impact sub right now.

Out wide, Saka would be a dream, but not possible now anymore I reckon as it would cost too much.
Neto looks good, but seems to lack that little extra to me. Traore I would not look at. Trossard and Barnes seem talented, but like Neto, not sure they have that extra needed.
Still think Havertz is a top talent, but now he is stuck with the Chavs. Not seen enough of that Leeds winger from Brazil, Rafhina or what his name is.

 

[gkmacca]

We need a 4th center back, yes, I reckon we will try for Ben White again.

The thing about Ben White is that he won't move to another club to sit on the bench - he absolutely won't - and he'll cost a ridiculously inflated price as a top British player always seems to do these days.

So what needs to be considered is: would he really be the regular partner to VVD, and could we not buy a better player for a cheaper price?

 

[moron]

How many players do you all want ? - we just signed 2 ball playing CBs. I tell you what - that guy from Preston - if he is not given a few games I don't want us to even sign another CB until we know what we have just hired - if Matip leaves then fine get another CB. In terms of attack and the rest of the team - only think about signings if we get rid of some first.

 

[tomasjj]

The thing about Ben White is that he won't move to another club to sit on the bench - he absolutely won't - and he'll cost a ridiculously inflated price as a top British player always seems to do these days.

So what needs to be considered is: would he really be the regular partner to VVD, and could we not buy a better player for a cheaper price?

Good points. I guess it depends on our trust in Gomez, and the size of coffers as always.

 

[Brizzle]

They've quite simply got two players for every single position and they are finding ways to win with almost any combination of that - build on the solid back three of Ederson, Dias and Stones.

full back - they are rotating through Walker, Cancelo, Zinchenko and even Mendy!
CM - gundogan, rodri, KDB, Bernardo, fernandinho
attack - jesus, mahrez, sterling, foden, torres

They are winning it by having a squad where the rotation players are better than the rotation players of all competitors, and frankly better than the first XI of half the league.

 

[tomasjj]

They've quite simply got two players for every single position and they are finding ways to win with almost any combination of that - build on the solid back three of Ederson, Dias and Stones.

full back - they are rotating through Walker, Cancelo, Zinchenko and even Mendy!
CM - gundogan, rodri, KDB, Bernardo, fernandinho
attack - jesus, mahrez, sterling, foden, torres

They are winning it by having a squad where the rotation players are better than the rotation players of all competitors, and frankly better than the first XI of half the league.

You forget that little weasel, Bernardo Silva.

Yes, they have an impressive squad now, only light up front as Aguero needs replacing.