Friday 29 July 2016

v Dortmund – what we learnt

At least this one went ahead and with only one pre-season game to go before a ball is ‘kicked in anger’ in the Premier Leagueand with some ‘first teamers’ yet to kick a ball in a game since or even before the Euros – thank the Gods of football it did!


Very proud


Cool character


First thing we, or at least I, learnt - and following on from the Bayern game last week - is that Tosin Adarabioyo is going to be one very good central defender. I’ve had my eye on him for 18-months to 2-years now and have always been impressed with his composure for such a young lad. Not just that but his intelligent positioning and timely tackles too. I saw all of that and more yesterday from an assured fella who also slotted home a cool penalty after ‘the 90’ ended 1-1.

Despite us-having an array of ‘first team’ central defenders that is likely to be swelled by at LEAST the arrival of John Stones, I actually think Tosin will get some Premier League ‘game time’ this season, even if only from the bench towards the end of games.

Do we need to spend on a right-back?


Again, following the last pre-season friendly in Germany, we saw another very good performance from another very calm and confident EDS player. Pablo Maffeo might not just be there this season to cover [for injury and / or suspension] for Sagna & Zabaleta as well as slotting in for them in, say, “just League Cup games”; but he might, as I’ve suggested with Tosin, see some serious league action. I really do like the look of this 19-year old.

Young livewire on the left!


Having come on towards the end of the game – having played much longer in the previous, pre-season encounterAngelino not only looked eager to please but did so to very good effect! He was instantly involved, in fact, with our only goal from open play and sure does like to bomb forward!

I can’t say I’ve seen too much of the left-back actually defending but if his application & work rate on the left touchline otherwise is anything to go off, then I wouldn’t be surprised if it was equally as good. Still might need to purchase a left-sided defender in the summer to, hopefully for me at least, replace Kolarov…but I don’t think this blonde-haired flyer will have to wait too long for a ‘crack at the first team’.

If he doesn’t go out on loan again this season, then he might just be one to use in some of our domestic cup games this season.

Kevin De Bruyne Mark II


There was a fair-haired lad on the pitch in an advanced position who had both myself and my mate squinting at the telly for a few minutes early on in the game. Having missed the line-up before the kick off we were both fairly certainly that Kevin De Bruyne had started in a ‘floating behind the lone striker’ role.

However, it was only when the camera eventually zoomed in after one of several robust ‘comings together’ with Dortmund players that we discovered the livewire had a slightly blonder / less ‘red headed’ top and was our new signing Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Now I had read, when we were about to sign him, that he was not only a player who could play in a ‘behind the striker’ position as well as on the left wing but was also one, who, liked to get ‘stuck in’. What a perfect description of the 19-year old…because that’s exactly what he did before being replaced at half time.

Looks a handful, will probably go out on loan for the season but I’m certainly looking forward to a bright future at City for our ‘Kevin Mark II’.

They must feed ‘confidence flakes’ for breakfast at the CAF!


It’s not just the afore mentioned outfield youngsters who were cool, composed and, who, appeared to play their stuff without any fear yesterday; we’ve got one ‘between the sticks’ too!

We are, apparently, very close to signing Geronimo Rulli - a just-turned 24-year old Argentine who we will, again apparently, be loaning to the club he last played for, which is Real Sociedad.

That being the case and with Joe still our ‘number 1’ - and with Willy likely to be covering for injury and / or suspensions for two keepers ahead of him as well as enrolled as a Goalkeeping Assistant Coach this season following the recent departure of Richard Wright - I’m reading all of that as-us-still-needing a ‘number 2’ 'stopper' to battle it out with Hart for the two-toned-green jersey this season.

Possible incoming names are, therefore, PSV’s, 25-year old Jeroen Zoet and Barcelona’s 33-year old Claudio Bravo (the older one makes more sense if any of these 20-odd year-olds are going to have any future I would suggest).

That’s a likely scenario for the coming season, as far as I understand it anyway, but Pep’s eyebrows must have been raised considerably last night in China at a performance of such conviction from Angus Gunn, especially with the penalties.

At just 20, he might have to be patient…and I hope he is. This fella, as Joe did years ago in-going to Birmingham City, is highly likely to go out on loan to aid his development and I, for one, hope that it’s at a decent level and where there are excellent goalkeeping coaches; because this fella could be our main stopper for many years to come.

Looking sharp


Other mentions go to Jesus Navas who looks to have added a 5% edge to his game and, as I noticed against Bayern, has improved his crossing. Having said that, he looked good last pre-season I recall.

David Silva - who I most-certainly don't hide my huge admiration for and who I believe will be more rested & refreshed for this season - looked full of his usual magic too.

And Sergio scored. Is it me or does he look a little chunky? Could be the new shirts I suppose and, of course, he’s clearly involved and not training alone under Guardiola’s orders for anyone overweight and / or not yet fit enough.

Still work to be done


Still some first-teamers who haven’t made an appearance as yet; Raheem, having played a small part yesterday, still looks bereft of confidence to me, Yaya looked sluggish again at times (although I will-certainly allow for the heavy heat of a Chinese summer where ‘water breaks’ were a ‘must’) and Samir sat on the bench Mr Blobby-like; being one of those asked by Pepe to shed some poundage (so why was he even amongst the subs yesterday?)

I think we still look weak on the left of our defence, although again I will make allowances for the fact that it’s a largely ‘knocked together’ back-line at the moment (great blockage from Nicholas Otamendi in the first half, by the way, after he came ‘STEAMING IN as the Dortmund player struck the ball towards Caballero).

I agree with those who say…



…we do need to spend on an 'out & out' striker in this transfer window. Why?

-       Sergio is brilliant but, as we know, is prone to a ‘break down’ or two.

-       Kelechi is very good; will get even better, I'm sure, but is clearly still learning his trade.

-       Wilfried, despite a neat and strong-body turn & shot yesterday, has not only lost whatever mojo he had; but it’s been found by someone else and jettisoned deep into space never to be seen again, I would suggest (and bemoan).

-       The incoming, exciting attacking prospects that are about to sign for us look to be 'for the future', as plans are to loan them back to their selling clubs or elsewhere for either a half or full season.

Okay…we have Nolito now; an attacking midfielder / left-winger who ‘knows where the net is’. De Bruyne can be lethal too.

And although, otherwise, we have a wealth of creativity with more to be added soon both 'hopefully' and 'in the form of Leroy Sane'; that clinical, ‘just slam the flippin’ ball in the net’ type-player just seems still to be lacking a little for me.

We’ll see of course…but time before ‘the big KO’ on Saturday 13th August 2016 is closing fast!

Next game:

Friendly v Arsenal (but see below).
Sunday 7th August 2016, 7:00pm KO (BST) at the Emirates correction...in Gothenburg and only on MCFCTV I understand.

Addition also: City are now to play a 'behind closed doors' game at the CFA on Wednesday 3rd August 2016 against St. Johnstone. This, it is said, is to compensate for the cancelled game against Manyoo last week and to, therefore, give the players extra & valuable 'match fitness time'.

Sunday 24 July 2016

Oh my...WORD!

They've only gone and given the not-too-bad, in my opinion, shirt & shorts of our second strip for next season...YELLOW SOCKS!

 

 

Good grief...


Well at least that explains the yellow writing we've seen on the shirt for the last few months in 'leaked pictures'.

And with a supposed orange & purple, 3rd (cup) kit apparently on the way, it'll certinaly be a colourful affair this season and, going off the majority of the comments I've read on various forums over the last few months from Blues regarding this season's kit designs & colours; another 'nail in the coffin' for Nike in terms of them dressing our heros (& fans) for another year.

For those who don't like 'em, I think we should start to question just who at the club itself also has an input in these kit choices...

Friday 22 July 2016

The list is long…



…with many a winding turn.


And it’s only ‘Day 22’!


Love it or hate it – and for the record I find it mostly laborious with a tinge of occasional excitement – we all have to endure the ‘transfer window’. 2 months, or there abouts, in the summer and another month in January (with speculation for the latter usually starting around October…if we’re “lucky”).

As recently mentioned, I purposely avoided joining in the constant merry-go-round of both-repeated and just crazy, non-story speculation – I didn’t think you’d want to read yet another story that simply spewed out the same ‘copy & paste’ material.

With the amount of stuff out there and the sheer number of players that have been linked with a move to our progressive, forward-thinking football club; it’s hard to grasp that the transfer window has only officially been open for 21-½ days (although clubs & players could “talk” as of 1st June 2016)!

Anyhoo…I do keep a list for my own ‘monitoring purposes’, which does NOT include “crazy speculation” linking us with players that just aren’t gonna sign – not in this window at least - but does include slightly more sensible / reasonable ‘links’; as well as my own ‘best guesses’ based on sensible connections made in previous transfer windows.

What surprised me, before deciding to do this little piece, was just how long my own, so-called, more-sensible list had got!

In order of playing position…

Position: Goalkeeper
Current club: Free agent…or Real Sociedad (conflicting info)
Rumoured fee: Free…or £4M (conflicting info)
Current likelihood: 9/10

Position: Goalkeeper
Current club: Barcelona
Rumoured fee: £15M
Current likelihood: 3/10

Position: Goalkeeper
Current club: PSV Eindhoven
Rumoured fee: £7M          
Current likelihood: 5/10

Position: Goalkeeper
Current club: Barcelona
Rumoured fee: Unknown
Current likelihood: 2/10

Position: Defender - Centre
Current club: Everton
Rumoured fee: £45M+
Current likelihood: 8/10

Position: Defender - Centre
Current club: Juventus
Rumoured fee: £45M+
Current likelihood: 4/10

Position: Defender - Centre
Current club: West Ham United
Rumoured fee: £15M
Current likelihood: 3/10

Position: Defender - Centre
Current club: Roma
Rumoured fee: Unknown
Current likelihood: 3/10

Position: Defender - Centre
Current club: Atletico Madrid
Rumoured fee: Unknown
Current likelihood: 3/10

Position: Defender - Centre
Current club: Atletico Bilbao
Rumoured fee: N/A
Current likelihood: 0/10 – New contract signed; now not moving this window

Position: Defender - Left
Current club: West Ham United
Rumoured fee: £25M
Current likelihood: 1/10

Position: Defender - Left
Current club: Juventus
Rumoured fee: £30M
Current likelihood: 2/10

Position: Defender - Left
Current club: PSV Eindhoven
Rumoured fee: £15M
Current likelihood: 3/10

Name: Danny Rose
Position: Defender - Left
Current club: Tottenham Hotspur
Rumoured fee: £35M
Current likelihood: 2/10

Position: Defender - Left
Current club: VfL Wolfsburg
Rumoured fee: Unknown
Current likelihood: 6/10

Position: Defender - Right
Current club: Real Madrid
Rumoured fee: Unknown
Current likelihood: 1/10

Position: Defender - Right
Current club: Arsenal
Rumoured fee: Unknown
Current likelihood: 2/10

Position: Defender / Winger – Left / Right
Current club: Torino FC
Rumoured fee: £17M
Current likelihood: 5/10

Position: Midfielder - Centre
Current club: Bologna FC 1909
Rumoured fee: £14M
Current likelihood: 1/10

Position: Midfielder - Centre
Current club: Manchester City
Rumoured fee: £19.3M
Current likelihood: SIGNED

Name: Tony Kroos
Position: Midfielder - Centre
Current club: Real Madrid
Rumoured fee: £35M
Current likelihood: 3/10

Name: Paul Pogba
Position: Midfielder - Centre
Current club: Juventus
Rumoured fee: £105M
Current likelihood: 1/10

Position: Midfielder - Centre
Current club: Bayern Munich
Rumoured fee: Unknown
Current likelihood: 1/10

Name: Aaron Mooy
Position: Midfielder - Centre
Current club: Manchester City (on loan to Huddersfield Town)
Rumoured fee: Undisclosed
Current likelihood: SIGNED

Position: Midfielder - Centre
Current club: Arsenal
Rumoured fee: £25M
Current likelihood: 1/10

Position: Winger / Forward – Left / Centre
Current club: Manchester City
Rumoured fee: £1.7M
Current likelihood: SIGNED

Position: ‘Midfield playmaker’
Current club: Manchester City
Rumoured fee: Unknown
Current likelihood: SIGNED

Name: Nolito
Position: Winger / Forward – Left / Centre
Current club: Manchester City
Rumoured fee: £13.8M
Current likelihood: SIGNED

Position: Winger / Forward – Left / Right / Centre
Current club: Atletico Nacional
Rumoured fee: £8.23M
Current likelihood: 9/10

Name: Leroy Sane
Position: Winger / Forward – Left / Right / Centre
Current club: Schalke 04
Rumoured fee: £35M+
Current likelihood: 8/10

Name: Koke
Position: Midfielder / WingerLeft / Centre
Current club: Atletico Madrid
Rumoured fee: £37.5M
Current likelihood: 1/10

Position: Winger / Striker – Left / Right / Centre
Current club: Borussia Dortmund
Rumoured fee: £65M
Current likelihood: 4/10

Position: Striker - Centre
Current club: Bayern Munich
Rumoured fee: £60M
Current likelihood: 1/10

Position: Striker - Centre
Current club: Manchester City
Rumoured fee: Unknown
Current likelihood: SIGNED

Name: Luis Suarez
Position: Striker - Centre
Current club: Barcelona
Rumoured fee: Unknown
Current likelihood: 3/10

Position: Forward – Left / Centre
Current club: Palmeiras
Rumoured fee: £16.5M+
Current likelihood: 8/10

Wow! Still ‘some list’…

The goalkeeping links seem to be hotting up, with Geronimo (what a great name!) Rulli highly likely to be signed but then loaned straight to Real Sociedad for the whole of the 2016/17 season and, then, either 18-month-older Jeroen Zoet joining to compete with Joe Hart for us next season OR one of the two Barcelona-linked keepers (one currently 24-years of age and the other 33).

The centre of defence is, of course, the big talking point and ‘other options / considerations’ now appear to be-being looked at [to John Stone & Leonardo Bonucci] in the form of Lucas Hernandez and, more recently, Greek international Kostas Manolas.

We continue to look to 'snap up' young talent for the future too with both Marlos Moreno & Gabriel Jesus ‘almost signed’ and the Leroy Sane saga ‘rumbles on’ with the gap on both clubs’ valuations appearing to widen and being the only apparent stumbling block.

One understandable concern for Blues is the left & right-back slots…but more-so the left-back position. For this Ricardo Rodrigues would seem more likely, although Jetro Willems could be a decent shout too. The English Options of both Aaron Cresswell and Danny Rose seem highly unlikely as well as 'highly priced' by their respective clubs.

The right-side of the defence seems to be cooling slightly with regards to both speculation and ‘the need’; with the solid Bacary Sagna, the back-in-training / pushing-for-one-last-season Pablo Zabaleta and the impressive [on Wednesday night] youngster Pablo Maffeo all vying for that slot. However, recent and apparent interest in Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin has apparently turned the head of the ex-Barcelona junior…as well as getting right up the nose of Arsene Wenger & The Gunners.

Striker news is just ‘dead’ at the moment…and that’s a concern for a lot of Blues posting ‘on-line’. I suspect this to remain quiet too until the defence is sorted out by Pep and the other City officials who are in constant talks, I’m sure, with their counterparts in England and across Europe.

However, once ‘sorted’, I suspect that we’ll then turn our attention to matters regarding support for Sergio Aguero who, it appears, might be signing a contract extension very soon to keep him at City until June 2020! This announcement could come on Monday in China

I could be wrong though on the striker front – perhaps Pep’s thinking is that that with the likes of (currently & ‘strongly rumoured’ at least) Kevin De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Ilkay Gundogan, Samir Nasri, Jesus Navas, Nolito, (possibly Leroy Sane), David Silva, Raheem Sterling and Yaya Toure (not to mention any possible new, attacking wing-backs); he’ll enough creativity and goals from midfield to support our thin-line of ‘strikers’ for the 2016/17 season.

A look at that list and you could see his point if that’s his plan…