One big signing every season

[Original Dub]

I've read it in a number of ex players' books and it makes perfect sense.

We should be signing at least one top attacking player every summer window. The rags did it for years, Chelsea did it most years and those they didn't, they dropped off.

It gives the fans a huge lift and it keeps players on their toes. Look at Barca, Real, PSG. It happens for a reason and whilst at the time I felt happy with the last window, I think we may regret not signing a marquee player. This really reminds me of the season before last, both transfer and playing wise.

There was no fresh injection like when we signed Navas and Negredo. We signed defensive players and whilst that is obviously important, it does not lift the club.

Please God we do it in the next window and from then on.

[PeterParker]

What was the last big transfer, huge transfer that City did?

Nasri.

That speaks volumes.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Problem is we've left it too late and I'm not big on making a big signing this January. January is the time when we should be looking for a couple of shrewd signings to give us that boost. I can't remember too many big name signings in January that were a huge success. A cheeky loan for someone, preferably an experienced striker. bit like when the Rags got Larson..

[Clowncrete]

We really really need a fast tricky winger who isn't 1 dimensional.

[Original Dub]

Problem is we've left it too late and I'm not big on making a big signing this January. January is the time when we should be looking for a couple of shrewd signings to give us that boost. I can't remember too many big name signings in January that were a huge success. A cheeky loan for someone, preferably an experienced striker. bit like when the Rags got Larson..

I meant the Summer really... as an on going thing.

But this January, we need a lift - only because we didn't do it in the Summer.

[Goaters 103]

Two years ago Hazard was the huge player we had to have and missed. His presence in our squad would have been huge these past 2 seasons.

This summer Fabregas was the huge player we should have signed - peddling off Toure to PSG - but again we missed.

Next summer Pogba and Reus will be on the table and likely move. We need to make sure we sign an A Lister and no more B and C list players. Toure's best days are in the rear view mirror and his replacement needs to be onboard asap.

[Sideshow Bob]

Two years ago Hazard was the huge player we had to have and missed. His presence in our squad would have been huge these past 2 seasons.

This summer Fabregas was the huge player we should have signed - peddling off Toure to PSG - but again we missed.

Next summer Pogba and Reus will be on the table and likely move. We need to make sure we sign an A Lister and no more B and C list players. Toure's best days are in the rear view mirror and his replacement needs to be onboard asap.

Not to mention pastore, de rossi, cavani, isco, erikson, goetze, lewandowski, di maria...any of these would be great options to have ATM.

[failsworthblue]

Mangala was our big signing.

He is still feeling his way but has everything to be one of the best CH in the world.

Watch this space.

[PeterParker]

We can still get Erikson. After another mediocre season with Spurs, he will go.

Reus will go to Bayern. Precontract signed, if we tend to listen to the rumours

[Crossie]

Can we sign anyone with our ffp limits? Or have we got room to play with after selling Negredo?

We need a German or 2 to inject some efficiency.

[Sideshow Bob]

I would rather shaquiri than reus. Dream window for me: shaquiri, pogba and isco!! Erikson would also do nicely.

[Two's Kompany]

This isn't an overreaction but 2 years ago we spent money on Garcia, Sinclair, Rodwell etc when we should have bought just two top players.
This time we gave Porto £40m for Mangala and Fernando when we should've spent big on Fabregas and an other.
Two wasted windows and a team that still looks at it's best with last years players in it (and none from the 2012 window)!

[Original Dub]

This isn't an overreaction but 2 years ago we spent money on Garcia, Sinclair, Rodwell etc when we should have bought just two top players.
This time we gave Porto £40m for Mangala and Fernando when we should've spent big on Fabregas and an other.
Two wasted windows and a team that still looks at it's best with last years players in it (and none from the 2012 window)!

I think we'll look at the Mangala signing as a damn good one as time goes on, but I agree with your overall point of view.

I really wanted hazard a few seasons back and I really wanted fabregas last window.

We are a huge club now and whilst I know we can't have everything, particularly with this corrupt ffp, we have to hold our hands up and say we could have done better.

[mr_nool]

Personally I really don't see what Fernando brings that we didn't already have in Fernandinho. The Count doesn't look like playing the two together anyway, and Milnner would have been a sufficient cover for Ferna when he's out. It's not that I object to getting a cover for Ferna in, but both him and Fernando are too expensive to be back--up players.

[nottsblue]

Personally I really don't see what Fernando brings that we didn't already have in Fernandinho. The Count doesn't look like playing the two together anyway, and Milnner would have been a sufficient cover for Ferna when he's out. It's not that I object to getting a cover for Ferna in, but both him and Fernando are too expensive to be back--up players.

Agreed. No better than Garcia at the moment. Maybe once he gets used to pace of Prem he'll sharpen up, but its money that could have been used elsewhere

[Moonchesteri]

We really really need a fast tricky winger who isn't 1 dimensional.

Yes please. Someone who is/can be direct unlike Nasri & co

[Cocacolajojo1]

I agree with the OP. I don't know if it has to be as doctrinal but IMO we've failed to create competition within the squad and keeping the momentum after both of our recent league wins. I think a competetive clubs needs to purchase and sell players and dare to kill some darlings just for the sake of it, otherwise there's bound to be stagnation.

However, the academy could perhaps provide a part of that competition in the future if we don't become too greedy and want to win the league every season.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

We really really need a fast tricky winger who isn't 1 dimensional.

Yes please. Someone who is/can be direct unlike Nasri & co

Hazard would have been perfect, creative like Nasri but far more direct and will run at players and shoot.
Di Maria would also have been great.
Need someone of that ilk. Who though, I'm not sure. Maybe Isco?

[Pretty Boy Lee]

In two minds on this one.

2 seasons ago not signing anyone cost us the title, no doubt for me. RVP was up for sale they bought him and we didn't.

This term I'm on the fence as to whether we needed to sign an attacker to begin with or if we are just noticing the effects of removing 20 something goals from the squad in Neggers.

[sheblue]

Fernando and mangala need a little time. They will be good in time.
But yes we need to sign a YOUNG top midfielder to replace yaya. Age wise team is getting on a bit.