3 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

‘I have said many times, in my mind and idea, I prefer to have four or five players scoring 10 or 12 goals each than one player scoring 40 goals.

This idea has never worked in football. Even Guardiola's teams have consistently had a 25+ goal scorer. You absolutely need at least two players getting the lion's share of the goals to induce a jeopardy, otherwise opposing teams will simply adjust their marking schemes accordingly

Not true I'm afraid ! I think this is a bit of Haaland recency bias ?

17/18 Aguero (21)

18/19 Aguero (21)

20/21 Gundogan (13)

21/22 De Bruyne (15)

So that's 4 seasons where City won the league under Guardiola with a top scorer <25 (and well under on two occasions)

So it is very possible to win the league without having one single striker going ballistic. In 20/21 and 21/22 City didn't even have a striker as their leading scorer LOL

18 minutes ago, Sexyfootball said:

Not true I'm afraid ! I think this is a bit of Haaland recency bias ?

17/18 Aguero (21)

18/19 Aguero (21)

20/21 Gundogan (13)

21/22 De Bruyne (15)

So that's 4 seasons where City won the league under Guardiola with a top scorer <25 (and well under on two occasions)

So it is very possible to win the league without having one single striker going ballistic. In 20/21 and 21/22 City didn't even have a striker as their leading scorer LOL

This days team actually find out you can actually score with whatever setup. False 9, true 9,doesn’t matter. It all depend on the opp and your squad.

10 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:

Not true I'm afraid ! I think this is a bit of Haaland recency bias ?

17/18 Aguero (21)

18/19 Aguero (21)

20/21 Gundogan (13)

21/22 De Bruyne (15)

So that's 4 seasons where City won the league under Guardiola with a top scorer <25 (and well under on two occasions)

So it is very possible to win the league without having one single striker going ballistic. In 20/21 and 21/22 City didn't even have a striker as their leading scorer LOL

17/18 - Aguero 30 goals in all competitions (from 39 games, + 7 assists)

18/19 - Aguero 32 goals in all comps (from 46 games + 10 assists)

20/21 - Gundogan 17 goals from midfield + 5 assists.

21/22 - De Bryune, 19 goals from midfield + another 15 asssits

Those are some cracking numbers.....

He may be in for a shock. He probably thought he was coming in to be our main striker, but Joao Pedro looks far better on first impressions.

10 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

He may be in for a shock. He probably thought he was coming in to be our main striker, but Joao Pedro looks far better on first impressions.

Pedro is also, relatively speaking, vastly more experienced.

Will be interesting to see what Peplini does in the final.

Revert to Delap as he looks to integrate into the team, using the battering ram quality he has. Or stick with Pedro, who admittedly smashed it, but at the risk of alienating Delap so soon into his career.

10 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

He may be in for a shock. He probably thought he was coming in to be our main striker, but Joao Pedro looks far better on first impressions.

He will have a lot of opportunities to be the number 1. Worst case (bar injuries) he will start 15-20 games this season.

11 minutes ago, nonotnowjim said:

Will be interesting to see what Peplini does in the final.

Revert to Delap as he looks to integrate into the team, using the battering ram quality he has. Or stick with Pedro, who admittedly smashed it, but at the risk of alienating Delap so soon into his career.

There’s no risk of alienating Delap. Any normal team would give the striker who scored 2 goals in previous game a start.

I’m sure Delap will understand.

3 minutes ago, dansubrosa said:

There’s no risk of alienating Delap. Any normal team would give the striker who scored 2 goals in previous game a start.

I’m sure Delap will understand.

Dropped after 2 games. However the framing and justification - that’s the overriding message.

2 hours ago, nonotnowjim said:

Dropped after 2 games. However the framing and justification - that’s the overriding message.

He only really has himself to blame for picking up the yellows, you don't change a winning formula.

I could still see Delap starting with Pedro in the left, as both goals came from him cutting in off that side. Nkunku shouldn't be starting.

24 minutes ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

He only really has himself to blame for picking up the yellows, you don't change a winning formula.

I could still see Delap starting with Pedro in the left, as both goals came from him cutting in off that side. Nkunku shouldn't be starting.

Like Marmoush with City

JP & Delap’s qualities really compliment each other. We could become quite the attacking force if a way to have both on the field at the same time can be achieved with this footballing approach (Palmer on the right is the key to it all)

2 hours ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

He only really has himself to blame for picking up the yellows, you don't change a winning formula.

I could still see Delap starting with Pedro in the left, as both goals came from him cutting in off that side. Nkunku shouldn't be starting.

Don't disagree..... but there is a genuine question to answer....

Knowing Maresca he will be laughing at us all and select Jacko....think he is a massive WUM.

5 hours ago, nonotnowjim said:

Will be interesting to see what Peplini does in the final.

Revert to Delap as he looks to integrate into the team, using the battering ram quality he has. Or stick with Pedro, who admittedly smashed it, but at the risk of alienating Delap so soon into his career.

Or play both. We never know

16 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

He may be in for a shock. He probably thought he was coming in to be our main striker, but Joao Pedro looks far better on first impressions.

We must remember, Pedro hardly scored any the last two seasons. So I'm not sure yet

2 hours ago, UK CFC LDN said:

JP & Delap’s qualities really compliment each other. We could become quite the attacking force if a way to have both on the field at the same time can be achieved with this footballing approach (Palmer on the right is the key to it all)

Joao Pedro playing the Anelka role while Delap can try his best to play the Drogba role, with Cole Palmer on the right creating opportunities.

And there’s Enzo and Cucurella bombing forward.

Yeah, that sounds really spicy. Like Carolina reaper spicy.

2 hours ago, UK CFC LDN said:

JP & Delap’s qualities really compliment each other. We could become quite the attacking force if a way to have both on the field at the same time can be achieved with this footballing approach (Palmer on the right is the key to it all)

No way can I envisage Pepilini going for that in his starting lineups. Maybe when there is 15 minutes left and we are desparately chasing a goal. Anyway we should ask him, because as @Scott Harris suggests Maresca has already written down all his planned in-game substitutions from now until Christmas.

I don't think Delap will be pissed off if Pedro starts ahead of him in the final. But I imagine he will be severely pissed off if Pepilini takes off Pedro and puts his dream striker, (I use the term "striker" loosely here), on ahead of Liam.

There's no way he doesn't now. If he does, then damn him. 3 strikers at your disposal and your only plan to utilize them is like for like changes? Even Pep at times plays 2 strikers. This also defeats the need to put Caicedo at RB.

Sanchez

James Tosin Colwill Cucurella

Caicedo Enzo

Neto Palmer Pedro

Delap

Sanchez

James Chalobah Colwill Cucurella

Caicedo Santos

Palmer Enzo Neto

Pedro

Edited July 9, 20251 yr by Sconnie Blue

"I joined to win trophies".

Five weeks later.

He wasted no time reminding us what he brings to the team. Wish that long shot flew in, but great save. Probably should have scored the 1–1, but didn’t matter today.

Just knew when he came on he’d give the PSG defenders absolute hell with his physicality. Loved it.

Hes rapidly becoming one of my favourite players, just because of his attitude and physicality up front, something weve desperately missed for years and years.

His pace and skill on the ball for that chance just after coming on was eye opening, hes definitely not just a big unit to lump it up to. He gave their CB`s a nightmare the time he was on the pitch, had them nervous wrecks whenever the ball went up, as seen by the balls up one made for his second chance, which he should really have taken but was unlucky with.

He’s going to be a fan favourite easily. The way he ran PSG defence ragged and took a shot like that just shows how he has absolutely no fear. He doesn’t care who he’s playing against, he’ll give them a battle.

A proper gritty no 9.

2025: when the English lad loves twisting and turning centre-backs with the ball to feet while the Brazilian bloke loves running the channels

Took a worldie save to keep the first one out, inexperience cost him the second. Should have taken a touch around Donnarumma.

He's a lot stronger than I realised. Great to have that physicality for our number 9. Hopefully he and Pedro make a big difference throughout next season. Just be having them as options, it seems to free up space for Palmer to do what he does best.