NickEsasky said:Thanks for the education. Seriously. Your posts in here are always enlightening. It's really only been since NBCSN took over that I have been able to regularly watch a lot of MCFC so I still have a ton to learn about formations and actually understanding the smaller things that are going on on the pitch during a match.
Stanley Steamer said:That's a good point about David Silva, Teddy.
I agree that he's a pleasure to watch, almost all the time. I remember when he and Mata couldn't find a spot in the Spanish national XI, before they came to England. They are each special players, the kind you won't find in England. Perhaps Sterling is more the type you mightn't find in Spain-- all speed and bluster, lacking that bit of skill to finish reliably, but drilled to track back. I haven't watched him much this year, but he creates so much turmoil for opposing defenses that a player like Silva, and perhaps even Yaya, will stand to benefit.
I didn't figure this would be City's year, but on early evidence, they look better than the rest. 3 clean sheets?
Zososoxfan said:Is there a reason why Zabaleta hasn't started on the right, in favor of Sagna? Injury perhaps? The latter has played well, but I love me some Pablo.
teddykgb said:
City chose to try to give an extended break to those who played in the Copa. I think Zabaleta was fit for the first match but as noted above he's gotten injured since.
Silverdude2167 said:They really were lacking in top flight players. Good for them... (http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/30/manchester-city-makes-kevin-de-bruyne-signing-official/)
edit: "reports suggest" transfer fee in the range of $78-86 Million.
Morgan's Magic Snowplow said:I would play the 4-2-3-1 but with De Bruyne on the wing, just a swap for Navas. No way I'm taking Silva out of the middle, especially given the way he has been playing there.
I think De Bruyne is a very good player but I see him introducing some of the same problems that other clubs encounter when playing a second CAM on the wing (Ramsey at Arsenal, Mata at United, etc). From what I can tell, he's also a guy who isn't that interested in playing defense. He should add firepower and help City blow away many Premier League teams. He's not going to help them beat the Barcelona and Bayerns of the world because their problem in those matchups isn't a lack of firepower, it's the inability to defend from the front and win the midfield battle against teams that don't just sit back and cede them possession.
PedroSpecialK said:Word is he's torn it. Jesus
That happened more times than I can count with Liverpool and Torres. It sucks.teddykgb said:These last two international breaks have been absolute disasters for City. We had just finished rehabbing these guys in time for the internationals to injure them again.
You stay away from Simeone.I think United will let Van Gaal manage out his contract which ends after next season. Then who knows. I don't want Giggs without him getting experience elsewhere but I think he'll be the pick. Other candidates could be Jose (particularly if he takes a sabbatical next season), Pocchetino and Diego Simeone.
Pep won´t get bored, he will outwork himself. I think people/fans in England (especially at City) will be a lot more challenging than at Bayern so he won´t have any time there (if he´ll go there). At Bayern, the club people like Rummenigge and Sammer said "people, stay calm" and fans stayed calm. Of course, when you win 85% of the matches and lose once per half-season you have an easy time. But the Premier League is a lot tougher as we know. And the fans will kill him instantly, as he seems like the contrary to Klopp in his behaviour. The are both hard workers, but Pep works his tactics into the finest of details (sometimes annoying, it seems, when you win games 5-0 and then still scream things to your players when someone just made it 6-0). Klopp just wears his heart on his tongue, Pep learned at Barca to keep quiet and better talk a lot and say nothing at all, which will annoy english people. Klopp is a different animal, he´s outgoing and funny.Guardiola to City and Mourinho to United would be the PL much tougher IMHO. At least until Mourinho wears out his welcome and Pep gets bored.
Obviously I'd give just about anything to have Pep. I think Schnerres is right to point out that the current City roster are not particularly suited to his philosophy (mostly because the squad has a melange of counter attackers and possession players) and I'd be incredibly interested in seeing what he could do with the talent at hand. Obviously City would support him and bring players in as well. It'd be a dream come true if it were to happen.It seems increasingly likely that Pep Guardiola will be City's next manager. That's pretty exciting from a football perspective and certainly bodes well for City's future.
My somewhat more parochial question is whether City's lackadaisical form in recent weeks might be partly related to this being a very poorly kept secret and Pelligrini, being dead man walking at this point, having difficulty motivating the team and keeping them on track. What do you guys think? Obviously injuries have played a big part in City's form as well. But it may not be easy for a manager who essentially gets the sack in advance to keep a squad playing at top top level.
Incidentally, the big losers in all this seem likely to be Manchester United. Ancelotti is reportedly nailed on to replace Pep at Bayern so who does United turn to if they want to sack Van Gaal? Pochettino? Giggsy (lol)? Jose (if sacked by Chelsea)?
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/manchester-city-confirm-new-club-7073212Manchester City have revealed their brand new badge prior to their Boxing Day fixture against Sunderland at the Etihad.
The crest contains the Manchester ship, the three rivers and the red rose of Lancashire after fans voted on the features.