Will we, or any team, ever be able to overthrow Guardiola's City?

[Term_X]

Huh, what is the evidence for this?

UEFA took action but were time-barred, that is a common legal procedural issue and a lucky loophole for Man City. Here is a summary of the CAS judgment. 

Besides, Man City were the ones lodging the appeal, not UEFA.

In reference to this:

That finding was complicated two weeks after the CAS verdict, when Der Spiegel published new “leaked” emails which set out that City director Simon Pearce – also a senior executive in the Abu Dhabi government – was “forwarding” Etihad £91m of £99m that the airline owed the club for its sponsorship, with Etihad providing only £8m.

City did not comment on the substance of the emails at the time, only re-iterating their persistent view since November 2018 that the emails published by Der Spiegel were “criminally obtained”. The source, Portuguese hacker Rui Pinto, denies this.

Some figures within Uefa remain furious that the European governing body did not appeal the CAS decision, especially when they were strongly advised to do so by one of the lawyers representing them.

The independent commission will now have access to those, while the Etisalat example will not be time-barred.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/28/uefa-claim-against-manchester-city-over-sponsor-money-time-barred-cas-rules

 

[Term_X]

Fair enough. Re “west not being to able to afford losing allies” I think you may be exaggerating the clout of these nations. They need the west much more than the other way round. US now a net exporter of oil, and world’s number 1 producer. Look at how UK oil imports break down too. Also, stopping authoritarian states from owning football clubs based on objective rules that align them with democratic nations that don’t have the same “privilege” would hardly be a declaration of war. what are they gonna do exactly?

I just can’t fathom a scenario similar to Russia where we pull the plug on them, or even to a lesser degree that affects relations, the US & EU are certainly keeping an eye on them in regards to sanction-evading recently but nonetheless.

 

[strider6004]

I just can’t fathom a scenario similar to Russia where we pull the plug on them, or even to a lesser degree that affects relations, the US & EU are certainly keeping an eye on them in regards to sanction-evading recently but nonetheless.

I think you are right since Brexit much more likely to take the money and sweep all else under the carpet.

 

[Jezz]

Worth revisiting this thread again.

About to win the Premier League again barring a major catastrophe against West Ham this Sunday and they should dominate the FA Cup final against Manchester United.

 

[axman2526]

Maybe a team of really top draw lawyers...

 

[Bob stark]

I think they are more beatable than ever because they have clearly put a brake on their spending. 

But of course they are still extemely good led by a brilliant manager so If you want to compete with them you need to absolutely squeeze everything football wise, $$$ wise and you need to be lucky. 

Football wise, obviously you need to have a  good squad with no raw player, you need a good manager who can squeeze result and you need to claw/cheat for result (tactical foul, dive, foul opp gk, etc). You also need to be lucky injury wise and hopefully you run hot. 

$$$ is the hard part. Transfer fee is not a problem, salary is the big problem. As your team get better and you start signing ready made player, your salary will balloon. Can your team sustain this? (having some player from Cobham will help and of course having Russian oligarch help big time ) 

 

[charierre]

Football honours throughout the ages have been cyclical. Some dominate for large periods,Liverpool in the late 70s and 80s , Man U under Fergie, others have shorter periods, though can also be classed as great teams. City are in the ascendancy now, give it a few years and it’ll be all change again. Unfortunately a lack of honours also becomes cyclical, both Man U and Liverpool went over 30years after a period of domination waiting for their next league trophy. We’ve enjoyed a very successful 20 year period after an era of dross. Lesson is enjoy the game for what it is and if your team happens to become a great one, savour it.

 

[Bob stark]

Football honours throughout the ages have been cyclical. Some dominate for large periods,Liverpool in the late 70s and 80s , Man U under Fergie, others have shorter periods, though can also be classed as great teams. City are in the ascendancy now, give it a few years and it’ll be all change again. Unfortunately a lack of honours also becomes cyclical, both Man U and Liverpool went over 30years after a period of domination waiting for their next league trophy. We’ve enjoyed a very successful 20 year period after an era of dross. Lesson is enjoy the game for what it is and if your team happens to become a great one, savour it.

Man city is a different beast to united domination. You have to clock 90+ point to have a chance to compete against them. 

 

[charierre]

Man city is a different beast to united domination. You have to clock 90+ point to have a chance to compete against them. 

Not really, the main difference is that the league was a fairer beast, money wise. City are in domination at present, it may last a few more years but it won’t last forever. Btw,and I hate to admit it, but Liverpools domination of the 80s was stronger than Fergies.

 

[loz]

Man city is a different beast to united domination. You have to clock 90+ point to have a chance to compete against them. 

Exactly the same when we won back to back titles under Jose.  I recall people saying then we would dominate the league for years snd years. 

 

[Bob stark]

Exactly the same when we won back to back titles under Jose.  I recall people saying then we would dominate the league for years snd years. 

We should have won more in that era. I did a quick google to check what happen in that 3rd season. We signed Sheva. 

 

[icecoolguy22]

We should have won more in that era. I did a quick google to check what happen in that 3rd season. We signed Sheva. 

Partly that, also in Jose's third season, surprised it wasn't more damaging now looking back.

Pep will pack it up after 5 titles in a row ( assume he gets the 4th this week), whoever replace him won't find easy, just ask the guys who tried to do Fergi's job

 

[dansubrosa]

About Guardiola, I’m not bothered really. I don’t remember them stopping us from winning the league, and they stopped Liverpool winning multiple titles and now Arsenal hopefully.

I think by the time we’re ready to compete for league title, Guardiola most likely will be gone by then.

I think it’s all worked out great for us really… Can you imagine Liverpool winning the league 3 seasons in a row and Arsenal? No one really cares about City.

 

[Bob stark]

Partly that, also in Jose's third season, surprised it wasn't more damaging now looking back.

Pep will pack it up after 5 titles in a row ( assume he gets the 4th this week), whoever replace him won't find easy, just ask the guys who tried to do Fergi's job

I think it will be difficult for anyone to repeat what pep has done but if city continue pouring the they will still be very good

 

[Niall1905]

I know the league is different to what it was a few years ago and is probably generally stronger than it was, but I was shocked to see the points totals that City have won the league with. The media make them out to be a machine like we have never seen the likes of, reaching points totals that no one else could dream of becuase all they do is win, but heres a breakdown; 

This year (if they win sunday): 91

22/23: 89

21/22: 93

20/21: 86

18/19: 98

17/18: 100

Obviously the 18/19 and 17/18 are freak seasons that fit the above narrative, those points totals leave no room for anyone else (even if liverpool almost did get them). But the others are, as far as I am concerned, standard title winning points totals. For reference we got 93 under Conte (even with our awful start) and 87 with Mourinho the second time around which are in and around what City are achieving. 

The fact that Arsenal, who are a very good side don't get me wrong, have been able to push them as close as they have both this season and last after some pretty poor showings under Arteta is evidence that City can be matched. 

Of course they are a brilliant team and the fact they have hit these points totals consistantly for the last 5/6 years is crazy, but Chelsea and Liverpool have all shown that if a side can put together a season worthy of winning a title, you'll win the title. The only exceptions will be Arsenal this year and Liverpool when they got 99 in 17/18. 

 

[Victor90]

I know the league is different to what it was a few years ago and is probably generally stronger than it was, but I was shocked to see the points totals that City have won the league with. The media make them out to be a machine like we have never seen the likes of, reaching points totals that no one else could dream of becuase all they do is win, but heres a breakdown; 

This year (if they win sunday): 91

22/23: 89

21/22: 93

20/21: 86

18/19: 98

17/18: 100

Obviously the 18/19 and 17/18 are freak seasons that fit the above narrative, those points totals leave no room for anyone else (even if liverpool almost did get them). But the others are, as far as I am concerned, standard title winning points totals. For reference we got 93 under Conte (even with our awful start) and 87 with Mourinho the second time around which are in and around what City are achieving. 

The fact that Arsenal, who are a very good side don't get me wrong, have been able to push them as close as they have both this season and last after some pretty poor showings under Arteta is evidence that City can be matched. 

Of course they are a brilliant team and the fact they have hit these points totals consistantly for the last 5/6 years is crazy, but Chelsea and Liverpool have all shown that if a side can put together a season worthy of winning a title, you'll win the title. The only exceptions will be Arsenal this year and Liverpool when they got 99 in 17/18. 

I think it will be interesting to see how they do without KDB who is currently 32 and might not be able to keep at his game for much longer?

He missed the first half of the season and he's still their top assister by a decent margin, they dropped most of their points without him. That could be Pep's biggest nut to crack. 

It also surprises me how much they've relied on Kovacic this season, I think they could do with a much better partner for Rodri. 

 

[Bob stark]

I think it will be interesting to see how they do without KDB who is currently 32 and might not be able to keep at his game for much longer?

He missed the first half of the season and he's still their top assister by a decent margin, they dropped most of their points without him. That could be Pep's biggest nut to crack. 

It also surprises me how much they've relied on Kovacic this season, I think they could do with a much better partner for Rodri. 

They are more beatable than ever because they have clearly put a brake on their spending. 

 

[Caps_Lock_King]

They are more beatable than ever because they have clearly put a brake on their spending. 

while Peps there, Arsenal won't win the PL UNLESS City suffer a points deduction, in fact i think we will win the PL before Arsenal

 

[ducavis]

I think it will be interesting to see how they do without KDB who is currently 32 and might not be able to keep at his game for much longer?

He missed the first half of the season and he's still their top assister by a decent margin, they dropped most of their points without him. That could be Pep's biggest nut to crack. 

It also surprises me how much they've relied on Kovacic this season, I think they could do with a much better partner for Rodri. 

I reckon Foden is the heir apparent. Won’t be surprised if Pep goes back for Paqueta in the summer, and they retain an interest in Guimaraes.

 

[dermott]

It's cyclical. Some cycles last longer than others.