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[kanyeezy411]

City really spending €50M for a player, that has only played well for half a season in his career...

Of course he's talented and I wish him the best, but from seeing him playing on the regular in Germany, I'm skeptical that it's the right move for his development at this point. 

I'm not surprised that Pep is not really convinced by Raheem. My prediction is, that Sterling will become Götze2.0 for Pep.

 

[PRIME]

City really spending €50M for a player, that has only played well for half a season in his career...
Of course he's talented and I wish him the best, but from seeing him playing on the regular in Germany, I'm skeptical that it's the right move for his development at this point. 



I'm not surprised that Pep is not really convinced by Raheem. My prediction is, that Sterling will become Götze2.0 for Pep.

He needs to get out of Manchester then

 

[jking0821]

I mean if City go to the pep 3-5-2 though how do they set up? I would assume Raheem would be in there

Kompany - Stones - Otamendi (defenders im assuming in whatever order with kolorov, Sagna and zabaleta in there maybe instead at points)



Raheem - Yaya - KDB - Silva - Sane ( idk if Gundogan will be healthy or if Gabriel Jesus will be tossed in, but please no Jesus Navas maybe Fernandinho and Nasri?)



Aguero - Nolito (or Nacho and Bony the sub)



But all that to say...what would the line up be without Raheem. (unless Pep just doesn't like him then i suppose its void)

 

[Armada]

Sterling will be fine he plays on the opposite wing of Sane plus it has been said that even though Pep wasn't our manger yet he sanctioned the deal with City and Pellers to get Sterling so he does want him. We did sign Nolito but he's 29 so thats a short term signing for depth that was needed on the LW cause Sterling can't be our only left winger in the same way Navas couldn't be the only RW which made Sane a priority for Pep. On top of that Navas' career with City will probably be coming to an end soon after this season so thats why I think the Marlos Moreno and Gabriel Jesus rumors are so constant.

 

[kanyeezy411]

Chelsea improved their bid for Lukaku to €80m



Nasri could join AS Roma 

I mean if City go to the pep 3-5-2 though how do they set up? I would assume Raheem would be in there

Kompany - Stones - Otamendi (defenders im assuming in whatever order with kolorov, Sagna and zabaleta in there maybe instead at points)



Raheem - Yaya - KDB - Silva - Sane ( idk if Gundogan will be healthy or if Gabriel Jesus will be tossed in, but please no Jesus Navas maybe Fernandinho and Nasri?)



Aguero - Nolito (or Nacho and Bony the sub)



But all that to say...what would the line up be without Raheem. (unless Pep just doesn't like him then i suppose its void)

So you would play with only 3 and a half defenders/defensive-minded players?
Playing with Sterling and Sane on the wings of your 5 player midfield will kill you defensively. Opponents would feast on the outside lanes.

 

[d3si]

Chelsea improved their bid for Lukaku to €80m

Clay Davis shieeet .gif

 

[Armada]

 
Chelsea improved their bid for Lukaku to €80m

Nasri could join AS Roma 

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

I mean if City go to the pep 3-5-2 though how do they set up? I would assume Raheem would be in there

Kompany - Stones - Otamendi (defenders im assuming in whatever order with kolorov, Sagna and zabaleta in there maybe instead at points)



Raheem - Yaya - KDB - Silva - Sane ( idk if Gundogan will be healthy or if Gabriel Jesus will be tossed in, but please no Jesus Navas maybe Fernandinho and Nasri?)



Aguero - Nolito (or Nacho and Bony the sub)



But all that to say...what would the line up be without Raheem. (unless Pep just doesn't like him then i suppose its void)

So you would play with only 3 and a half defenders/defensive-minded players?
Playing with Sterling and Sane on the wings of your 5 player midfield will kill you defensively. Opponents would feast on the outside lanes.

If we are speculating on formation which is one part of this time of year I actually enjoy 

 I could see something similar to how Real plays their 4-3-3 with Casemiro starting and if i'm not mistaken Casemiro plays that deep defensive role while Kroos and Modric go forward and are free to do what they do best.  So something like this a 4-3-3 on paper but in possession it moves more like this you could maybe really change the shape to a 4-1-4-1 when going forward like this too. Fullbacks could tuck in and help out the sole defensive midfielder too but this is all just fun speculation I love to do 

 

[lovehateself]

 
I should watch for Barta. Always interesting to see certain players that leaves the mother's nest of big teams like Barca

pedro shouldve never left

 

[kanyeezy411]

Those are the two systems I would prefer:

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In general is see one problem at City: the left-back and the right-back. 

At Bayern, Pep had polyvalent players for this positions, with Alaba, Lahm and Kimmich. They were able to play as left&right-backs, plus being able to play in the central midfield, on the wing and even as a central back. That made the game of Bayern so versatile. 

The missing of such polyvalent players makes it not advisable to play with only three central backs and a midfield of five players. 

If Pep still wants to play with three central backs at City, he either must play with Clichy and Sagna on the outside lines of the 5 player midfield,  but in this case good wing players would only sit on the bench. 

Or he plays with Sane and Sterling on as wideouts in the 5 player midfield, but this would kill the team defensively. It would be more like a Fifa 17 lineup imo 

The only real option is see for this systems is:

 

[Armada]

I agree fullbacks are City's biggest question mark. Sagna was our best fullback last year which is great for him and seeing him still be productive but not great long term. We where linked with Fabinho and who's possibly United bound and Bruno Peres from Torino but that seems to have fallen through. Clichy and Sagna would be the starters but Kolarov and Zabaleta (who might have something left it could have just been the injury and heavy legs for him last season) isn't great right now for depth. I do think this can be the season Angelino pushes into the senior squad i've really like what i've seen from him in the pre season and I think he could be rotated at LB with Clichy and Pep has spoken highly of his preseason performances. I like what I saw from Maffeo our young RB too but I think he still needs some more time before making that senior squad push. Unless we bring in some fullbacks late in the window I can see it being Clichy and Angelino at LB and Sagna and Zabaleta at RB.

 

[Kimchi Papi]

West Ham to wear a commemorative kit this Sunday against Juve when they debut at their new home at the Queen Elizabeth. I like the stealth - "murdered" out look for a one off wear.

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[PRIME]

Damn. Thats clean AF

 

[jking0821]

I was just going off speculation that pep likes the 3-5-2 set up. I don't think that is best suited for the talent on the team.

I think running something along the lines of the first formation kanyeezy411 posted would probably suit City best. You need Silva and De Bruyne on the ball in good positions and i think if you can do that with adequate cover behind (Fernandinho maybe? would be great to have Kante here ) and aguero up top you are solid. Fill the wings how ever you see fit with Sterling, Nolito, Sane.

But with the squad we have playing style could dictate a lot. If Pep chooses his normal style of possession with the ball and pressing without it, that facilitates his ability to keep 3 in the back. Now whether City have the man power Peps style will be a very interesting thing to watch this year and i honestly can't wait to see how they adapt as a team.

 

[Kimchi Papi]

Gignac & Mandzukic rumors?!?! SMDH...

Sometimes no move is a good move. I'd rather give Munir a legit shot & Denis to play the wings up front when needed...

As limited as his time was, Munir scored 8 goals in 11 appearances last campaign. That's pretty impressive considering he didn't get consistent playing time.

Busy footy weekend with my son so I couldn't post much... Some thoughts in the Celtic vs Barca game. Denis looked pretty good playing the right interior role , dat Xavi #6 must have had an effect on him. He was dynamic on & off the ball, he linked up well with La Pulga, & defended very well too. I was very impressed with his play (granted it was against Celtic).

Granted, it was Celtic Vidal & Turan looked ok. Samper looked much better also, he didn't have that deer caught in headlights look & did alot of the things busquets quietly does in games.

Was most excited to see Carles Alena play... Part of the much hyped 98 class. Wow, the kid looked great. I have the same excitement about this kid like I did when Thiago made his come up... Keep working young lad, show the world that La Masia can still churn them out...

 

[rck3sactown]

just in time...

BREAKING: Timbers sign English Premier League defender Steven Taylor.https://t.co/mTQBzHWgJN #RCTID pic.twitter.com/hjpfbtTs79
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) August 1, 2016

 

[Kimchi Papi]

Damn, did Jose banish Basti to the reserves locker room?

edit - Damn, Jose giving Basti that Oran Juice Jones treatment...

 

[Verde Shuttles]

Napoli shirt sponsors are so trash

 

[chippedtoothsmile]

just in time...

BREAKING: Timbers sign English Premier League defender Steven Taylor.https://t.co/mTQBzHWgJN #RCTID pic.twitter.com/hjpfbtTs79
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC)

August 1, 2016

Good signing for us. Strengthen up our soft back line what's been killing us all year. Actually every year

 

[mastamind89]

Arsenal to improve Alexandre Lacazette transfer bid – Sky sources
l'Arsenal offre 16 milioni per Bruno Peres - Toro News
Aulas: We will offer Lacazette to extend his contract to show him that he is one of our best assets
Artur Petrosyan on Twitter: Arsenal are interested in Belgium and Zenit CB Nicolas Lombaerts. No calls from Wenger, but his agent has been contacted by the club.
Fabian Castillo's agent says he's "at @MLS office in NYC, CONFIRMING the sale to Turkey (@Trabzonspor)
Official: Wolfsburg sign Jakub Błaszczykowski from Borussia Dortmund
Official: Montoya joins Valencia
Official: Alex Song and FC Barcelona agree to terminate contract
"It has been confirmed that João Teixeira is set to join Wolves on a season-long loan from @SLBenfica."
Sky Italia: Hull approach Gianfranco Zola about becoming new manager
Sky Sources: Newcastle United trigger £4.5m release clause for Hull City midfielder Mohamed Diame
Leicester agree fee of £7.5m for Poland winger Bartosz Kaputska
According to [La Provence] Newcastle's Thauvin has opted for Lazio Roma and not Marseille - Loan with "quasi-automatic" option to buy for 11M€.
Palermo sign Slobodan Rajkovic from Darmstadt
Schalke 04 confirms Coke signing

 

[heggsy]

Kaputska ay ayyyy

 

[Kimchi Papi]

Monchi still seems to be in shock about Coke leaving... Given the numerous players that have passed thru the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan over the years, Monchi has never expressed regret like he did for Coke who was with the club for 5 glorious years.

 

[mastamind89]

@dragicon came across this, I know I mentioned the attendance of games in China the other day

 

[PRIME]

Damn. Arsenal are pushing for that last day transfer window rejection


I heard Lacazette really wants to leave though.

 

[northoaklandfc]

@dragicon came across this, I know I mentioned the attendance of games in China the other day

I believe the team that was in question plays in the Hong Kong Premeir League so I didn't mention it at the time but the Chinethe Super League is right there along with MLS, Liga MX and Serie A in terms of attendance.

La Liga really belongs in the same group. The 80,000 - 100,000 Barcelona and Real are liable to draw on a given match day heavily skews the league average.

Everybody including the EPL is trying to catch the Bundesliga.

 

[Kimchi Papi]

La Liga's attendence isn't as bad as people think nor do Barca or Real's numbers skew that much... This was 2013's numbers. I couldn't find a more recent chart...

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