venom2011

It wasn't a decent return, it was decent relative to our other forwards. And the reason his record goes unnoticed is because he scored 11 goals in the PL. All those goals came against: Norwich (4), Watford (1), Southampton (2), Leeds (2), Everton (1), West Ham (1) That is 1 (1!) goal against a team in the top half of the table in 32 appearances. The kid shows up, fights for the badge, and does all the hard work - we can all appreciate that. But he needs to do more, especially as the club seem intent on splashing the cash on top players again.

I'm a massive fan of the kid but to call him the ONE class player we have is ridiculous. Kova, Kante, James, Sterling, Silva are all better in their respective positions. All of them would get into 90% of Europe's elite starting XIs.

I doubt many are viewing him as a winger, mostly because we don't play with wingers... The two half-10 positions are indeed hybrid positions but they are vital in attacking transitions - they are not there to merely 'help out in attack when they can'. Mount has these kinds of performances regularly and if you listened to any positive analyses about his performances, it generally relates to the tactical side of his game or work rate. He was very good yesterday with his positioning and pressing, as always. But when there's a moment to be had, a pass to be played, a shot to be taken, to grab the game by the scruff of the neck - he's far too profligate. He needs to take that part of his game to the next level to maintain his position in this system. You'd imagine if we had signed Raphinha he would have quite a fight on his hands for game time.

I must say I'm a bit worried about his profligacy and lack of effectiveness in these games. It's all great scoring hattricks against the likes of Norwich but he needs to offer more than tactical discipline if he wants to really cement his place - especially when playing as one of the front three. It's been 3 seasons now since Frank consistently started him on the left of the three and other than some great moments it's been largely the same. Too harsh?

Doesn't seem to have any outstanding physical characteristics?!! Can I get a non Mike Dean VAR decision on this comment please?!

I hated thinking this but it was in my head for most of the game. We've fallen so far from the heights of Hazard that when we finally see a high level player in attack it looks like he's playing with the Dev team. It's all well and good to see flashes of good bits from Havertz, Mount, Pulisic etc but we are up against teams with at least 2 world class players in their attack. This lot shouldn't be starting for a title challenger.

100%. Because of the rushed nature and Boehly learning on the job we're seeing a lot more leaks than expected and you have some pundits claiming it's a haphazard, scattergun approach. Neville on The Overlap even said he's playing football manager. But what they're not seeing is that all these players are considered targets of Tuchel. If we went by recent links and assume we finish the window with KK, Sterling, Cucurella, Fofana, and another midfielder or attacker - this is quite is easily the best window we've had in ages. Combined with the recent spate of development signings, it's such an exciting time and it shouldn't be a surprise to see us challenge this season.

I find it a bit ridiculous when I see this stuff at the moment. And I'll breakdown why: Last preseason many had as as title challengers and quite few pundits said we'd win the league. Well let's look at where we are at this season - Adding Sterling to our attack is massive and an instant upgrade. Adding Koulibaly to our defense is an upgrade as well. Our rotational options are upgraded with Gallagher, Emerson, Broja. So in short we are better placed. Meanwhile Liverpool lost their best attacker, and City lost 30 goals, and are experimenting with a striker that may adversely affect their system. Are we where we want to be at the minute? No. But injuries permitting I think we'll be right up there.

Forget about whether/when he'll be world class, he is simply better, more mobile, and a tad younger than De Ligt. He should be worth more than whatever we were willing to pay for De Ligt. Superb talent. Hopefully they are keen on a player plus cash deal.

No one, as I'm sure Tuchel doesn't either, should believe that we have no chance to win the league. City are potentially poorer than last season - they need to replace 30 goals of Sterling and Jesus with 2 players who are as yet untested in the league and their system. Liverpool lost their best attacker, one of the best in Europe, and the replacement is untested. Assuming everyone stays fit, and we sign another CB - we have one of the best defence and midfield first choices in Europe. We now also have one of the top two left wingers in the league. Our issues are related to rotational options who want to leave and/or are not suitable for the system. But at the same time we now have Emerson who is an improvement on Alonso (for this system) and Gallagher back. We have a chance, but TT will need to work some magic though.

On average most of players on the tour will have 100-160 minutes of preseason game time under their belt so far. With the delayed transfer activity, the squad won't really be game ready before the start of the season. Most of the real work is being done in the training sessions. If you are Thiago Silva, who would you give you a tougher time during those sessions - Batshuayi or Jude? Barkley or Vale? The answer should be obvious, and that's why Tuchel said exactly that - to maintain a high training level.

I don't think it's worrying at all. You have managers who act like everything is rosy while their teams capitulate and fans throw hate at that. And then you have Tuchel who says it like it is and fans are still worried. Nothing he said is overly critical or out of left field. And for once I'm happy that we don't have itchy-fingered Roman waiting in the shadows. Let's also not forget we are on a delayed schedule not just in terms of team fitness/matches owing to the sanctions. If we sign one more defensive target we'll quite easily have one of the best defence and midfield combinations in Europe (fitness allowing). We have one of the best wingers in Europe now. We'll be good but I think it will take the full window and we simply won't be at full tilt by the time the season starts. If we can all just accept that.....onwards and upwards.

Apparently quite the talent but haven't seen him personally. He's definitely a Dev squad signing though so I'd guess he'll stay at the club for a season and maybe get some training with the first team occasionally.

Not quite. The sporting director role was split with more responsibilities going to the managers and scouting departments. Since Emenalo's departure it's pretty much worked like this - manager reports on what he wants, scouting identifies potential targets, manager picks preferences, Marina finds out which of those targets are doable/feasible tries to get it done. Wage structure - it's as good as can be expected given how much we've won over the last 18 years. It only looks poor given recent transfer failings. Transfer structure - not bad, but severely impacted by short-termism culture under Roman. Not much different from the structure in place at City (acquisitions aside). Scouting structure - pretty much the same as it has been for a long time. Commercial success - Nothing to do with Marina, but we're fine here too given the club size and reputation. She's had some very good dealings with incomings and outgoings (specifically related to her role) - Luiz, Hazard, Havertz, Kante to name but a few. And pretty much been the best selling club during her tenure. But instead of me telling you what she's done that's been great, you can instead read some quotes from people who have actually worked with her - on both sides of the table.

Why do people speak about the work she's done without knowing what she does? She's a club director and transfer/contract negotiator. She is a not a sporting director. She does not identify and personally pick the targets. She's been exceptional at her job but ultimately not a huge loss considering her role. Rudiger is a tw#t.

Oh, because you qualified his age as if that was some big advantage over rice... So you think someone's genuinely going to pay 170m (2x tchouameni) for Rice? A players transfer fee is only worth what a buying club is willing to pay.

70% of City's team played in vastly different systems before they were signed. You don't consider the team, but the player's own characteristics. Rice's attributes are more suited to a 'front-foot' system than both Jorginho and Kante. Physically better than Jorginho, technically better than Kante, and as professional as either of them.

Rice is 23....

That is a ridiculous take - calling him a nothing player when he's as good as any DM in this league. Is he worth the crazy fee? Absolutely not. But he's the kind of player that gives you 7-8/10 every week and is a consummate professional. There's no gambling with him. No one knows if Tchouameni can cut it at the highest level. I would take him for those reasons and because he's a better fit for Tuchel's system than Jorginho. That said, no one should be paying more than 50m for such a player.

The only one guaranteed a start in City's forward line is Bernardo Silva. Everyone else rotates and Sterling has played as much as any of them. And they would all walk into our attack. He's played more than Mahrez, who most armchair fan coaches would take in a heartbeat.

One had a hot 6 months during 'covid football' and the other was a big contributor to 4 recent league titles. Personally, I think they're neck and neck.

Two of our 'cast offs' are the two best players in the league currently. If TT thinks they work for him and can get us closer to a title then I'm all for it. Yaya Toure and Zlatan were Barca cast offs. Ignore the label and judge them on merit.

I could care less if he hits 15 a season. His technical abilities and creativity are so outstanding that if he's fit he probably starts for most of the big boys. Rumours are we may try again for Hakimi - If for whatever reason we pulled that off and our right side consisted of Dembele, Hakimi, and James; defenders may as well just take a nap.

I hate the use of 'generational' but they're top tier. The reason I initially mentioned Mata was essentially because our transfer failings over the last decade have underpinned Man City's success. Aguero, Silva, and KDB should all have been here.