Probably one of the most underrated players of the last 3/4 years. Super consistent, kept things easy and could do everything in that midfield. then last couple years started to chip in with the goals to show was more to his game. Very much the equivalent of our Gini I think (just with more goals).
Don’t get made captain of that city team unless you’re a very good player and able to command a lot of respect.
Think he’ll be a huge loss to them
Things moving slowly for all on the transfer front. There’s normally one or two transfers that gets them going as players wait for certain clubs. Once City make their move, am hoping that things start to get moving.
I'm rather surprised by this. Hope he turns them down. He's still got something to give in a European team.
- Al-Ahli are awaiting Roberto Firmino's response after holding talks with him
- The Saudi side are reportedly already preparing medical tests for the forward
- Negotiations are said to be ongoing and the former Liverpool man may join them
I'm rather surprised by this. Hope he turns them down. He's still got something to give in a European team.
That's a pretty clear signal we will be there in august with no work done and playing catch up again.
just checking if i need to update the summer tracker thread
So far
We signed a midfielder
Jones is now "world class" so no new midfielders needed
the stadium might get done
A new pitch might get laid
Lucas is a legend.
It's looking like he left us with no clear forward plan other than the obvious wanting more playing time with maybe an eye on a Brazil swan song. To leave a club that adores you the way the fans and players adored him for a big pay cheque isn't where I thought Bobby stood.i can't see a reason to go thst rather than retire and take cash
if he's moved from us for a new experience then going to head removers seems a very bad idea of new experience.
He is a good player but the stats don't really show the full picture with CIty
This is why city are more successful and run into less injures than most other clubs.
De Bruyne (gold standard but 32) averages about 2000 minutes per season in the prem only over the past 4 years (was injured the seaosn before it but played 3000mins before that again)
Gundogan 2350, 1850, 2031, 2015, 2135, 1508 (
B.Silva (28) 2202, 2860, 2070, 2028, 2853, 1519
Rodri (27) 2920, 2888, 2747, 2486
d.silva (last seasons) 1833, 2411, 2437,2767, 1801, 2661
See the point?
There's 3420 minutes available to players to play in a 38 game season.
what pep is doing is managing the players he can manage. these attacking players are "averaging" 58 minutes per game
So when you wonder how did city keep going to win a treble or wonder why city have far fewer injuries than some clubs then just go look at what they are doing with these players.
Its a 3241 formation apparently.
i nthe 4 you have grealish, gundogan, silva, de bruyne, mahrez, foden and even alvarez.
He is wokring the likes of stones and rodri behind harder than those 4. This si why you see defenders get more injuries there.
anyway Just a little insight I picked up as to why city have more stamina at the end of seasons and why they see more consistency out of these players.
58 minutes a game on average. (in the prem only)
City have more top class players than anyone else!
That's come as a shock.

City have more top class players than anyone else!
That's come as a shock.
It has been rumoured that Nicolo Berella will take Luis Diaz old number 23???Diaz changing to number 7.
City have more top class players than anyone else!
That's come as a shock.
well you say that but.....
thier squad is not that big so guardiola is doing more subbing and rotating in that specific area.
Look at the minutes he is putting through rodri by comparison
If we compare and contrast this approach to klopp
Salah is the gold standard: 3297 mins last season, 2762 (ACON) 3082, 2888, 3261, 2920. so nearly 1000minutes more than de bruyne every single season. even last year with 6 forwards or this year with 5 we did the same things.
Mane 2825, 2812,2755,3086, 2208 (injury that year)
The pattern is what you'd expect. Klopp had a first choice and that was that. He starts them all the time and that is that.
just as a contrast
Henderson 2072, 2602, 1706 (lot of injuries), 2244, 1982. henderson at his age is playing as many minutes for us as de bruyne is for city. when he can be got out on the park (last season) then we do well. We we can't get him out on the park we do badly.
Fabinho 2677, 2316, 2566 (he was playing cb and got injured this season), 2074, 2013. again first choice and a lot of minutes put through the guy.
Now when I look at LFC squad numbers theres lots of warm bodies every year and a lot of wages being paid but a general reluctance to part with cash to keep the squad going.
It seems to me that the point that pepe puts less minutes through his key attacking midfield players legs is a good one.
By contrast we seem to complain about our players being tired, jaded or not able to run yet we have the evidence that we work them hard while looking at spare players not really contributing much
I was only poking fun mate.
It's not squad size, it quality of the squad.
We can replace salah with precisely **** all.
Good job he's never injured.
We've resorted to an 18 year old kid in midfield because our back up of keita & ox might as well be replaced by cones.
Our first 11 has been run ragged season after season, its no wonder they look done in.
We can bemoan injuries, but the injuries happen because they've got to play come what may. No rest, pushed to the limit = breakdown.
We badly need new and importantly quality additions.
yet look at jota.
we got him back, started playing him in then over rplayed him v arsenal and he ripped his leg again reaching for a ball when he should have already been off the park.
maybe that's one example but I think the differences are in ruthlessness (cancelo, walker) and in mind the minutes.
yes pep has the luxury of unlimited hidden fund to keep them happy but he is also quite ruthless.
I'll be honest, I think if klopp had the opportunity to buy more he would. I dont think he'd ever be peps level of ****ing people off, but if someone said two years ago, **** keita, matip, ox etc off there made of glass and bring in who you want he'd jump at the chance.
But he's not got that luxury, he's stuck with some players come what may.