Page 1 of 1
Why Have We Been Buying Expensive Hopefuls For The Future.

Posted:
Sun Aug 31, 2025 7:28 pm
by zabbadabbado
Why Have We Been Buying expensive Hopefuls For The Future.
Makes zero logical sense to me personally. Seeing as Pep will be gone in 2 seasons max. Likely much sooner.
Last season we barely scraped top 4 it was obvious we needed 2,3, Stellar upgrades in the Squad just to compete at the desired level again this season
Yet we balked at transfer fees and packages for Tier 1 players to replace KDB like Wirtz and Kerkez etc Players that we needed right now to strengthen the first team.
We can not accuse our owners of not financing the Manager either. We have spent nearly half a Billion on players who are nothing spectacular to look at. Sure they have the possibility for potential . But we didn't need them right now. Only to farm them out on loan etc. We still have no recognised Right Back, we are still fully reliant on the same players who under achieved last Season and just 3 games in have all produced calamitous moments. Rodri has alluded to it today "School Boy errors from not concentrating" criminal
So i ask what is going on with the squad planning, who is really behind it ? are we now suddenly happy with mediocrity after lifting the European Cup.
We have one of the best academies in World Football to complement our first team squad if needed to tap in for "Ones for the future "We are over loaded with average midfield players in the squad. Yet neglect what is needed here and now.
We have gone from shopping at Harrods to shopping in Tesco. Seemingly preferring quantity over quality. Still spending a hefty half a Billion in the process on hopefuls instead of proven quality. .
If that is not taking your Eye of the Ball then i don't know what is.
Watching Liverpool V Arsenal in the past i would lament on how many of their players would walk in to our City team. It was always just 2 possibly 3 from the combined 22 on the Pitch.
Today i had the same thought in reverse, how many of our current first team would walk in to a Liverpool v Arsenal combined 22.
The realisation that only Haaland/Rodri, and a fit Stones would make those sides.
That is how far the quality has dropped off it is pretty damning indictment of where we are at as a Club right now.
I talk to a few people who have good connections at the Club, who have privately voiced concerns how unprofessional the entire Club set up at every level has become right now.
The planning is unfathomable. Needing Tier 1 players to guarantee our Top 4 and European status and revenue. Ignoring what was needed to achieve it and focusing on the future. Even more crazy was giving the Man leaving soon Money for a rebuild the new manager will want to do his way.
I have no doubt we are going to struggle this season, we need more than a fit Rodri to make a team of half arsed Tier 2 journey Men look good.
Re: Why Have We Been Buying Expensive Hopefuls For The Futu

Posted:
Sun Aug 31, 2025 8:09 pm
by zabbadabbado
Just seen this posted on another well known City forum.
Prestwich Blue is actually well connected at City. Not a poster that ever over reacts on emotions.
"Saved me posting something similar. Standards at the club, on and off the pitch, including the seeming disdain for our core support, have dropped alarmingly. And I've been closer to the club than most over the last few years. We've become mediocre at everything we do."
Pretty much what a lot of connected people are saying. A Club that was once run like a well oiled Machine, inexplicably dropping the Ball.
What are the Root causes though ?
Did Pep become bigger than the Club and have too much influence in day to day operations like Whiskey Nose at the Swamp ?
It is obvious there is something fundamentally wrong at the Club that needs fixing.
Re: Why Have We Been Buying Expensive Hopefuls For The Futu

Posted:
Sun Aug 31, 2025 8:44 pm
by zabbadabbado
Another interesting fact.
This current City team is made up entirely 100% of Guardiola signings for the first time under his management.
Arguably it is the poorest side we have had since the Mark Hughes era.
Shocked by this news.
Re: Why Have We Been Buying Expensive Hopefuls For The Futu

Posted:
Sun Aug 31, 2025 8:50 pm
by Harry Dowd scored
Enough is enough Pep needs to fuck off
Re: Why Have We Been Buying Expensive Hopefuls For The Futu

Posted:
Sun Aug 31, 2025 10:02 pm
by Nick
Very true if every there was a year to buy "right nows" for big bucks after complacency it was 2025
Re: Why Have We Been Buying Expensive Hopefuls For The Futu

Posted:
Mon Sep 01, 2025 2:29 am
by Nick
So martinez going to the rags. Ed to Fenners and Donna to us.
No rb, no other player and cherki out for 3 months??
Season rests on foden who hasn't turned up for 12 months ?!
Who was the de bruyne replacement ??
Re: Why Have We Been Buying Expensive Hopefuls For The Futu

Posted:
Mon Sep 01, 2025 7:02 am
by PeterParker
Here is my take (might be, of course, bollocks)
Version 1:
There is a gap between what the board wants and Pep wants in terms of players. I think Khaldoon will want to buy some world class boys like Rodrygo, but will not go over Pep's head, even if they know it is wrong. He was always their desired manager, so they are doing anything to keep him.
Version 2:
They are getting this kids so they can grow under Pep so when he fucks off, we will have a young hungry team, not like the one the rags had.
I think we are toooo fucking sentimental for our own good.
Re: Why Have We Been Buying Expensive Hopefuls For The Futu

Posted:
Mon Sep 01, 2025 7:13 am
by Indianablue
zabbadabbado wrote:Why Have We Been Buying expensive Hopefuls For The Future.
Makes zero logical sense to me personally. Seeing as Pep will be gone in 2 seasons max. Likely much sooner.
Last season we barely scraped top 4 it was obvious we needed 2,3, Stellar upgrades in the Squad just to compete at the desired level again this season
Yet we balked at transfer fees and packages for Tier 1 players to replace KDB like Wirtz and Kerkez etc Players that we needed right now to strengthen the first team.
We can not accuse our owners of not financing the Manager either. We have spent nearly half a Billion on players who are nothing spectacular to look at. Sure they have the possibility for potential . But we didn't need them right now. Only to farm them out on loan etc. We still have no recognised Right Back, we are still fully reliant on the same players who under achieved last Season and just 3 games in have all produced calamitous moments. Rodri has alluded to it today "School Boy errors from not concentrating" criminal
So i ask what is going on with the squad planning, who is really behind it ? are we now suddenly happy with mediocrity after lifting the European Cup.
We have one of the best academies in World Football to complement our first team squad if needed to tap in for "Ones for the future "We are over loaded with average midfield players in the squad. Yet neglect what is needed here and now.
We have gone from shopping at Harrods to shopping in Tesco. Seemingly preferring quantity over quality. Still spending a hefty half a Billion in the process on hopefuls instead of proven quality. .
If that is not taking your Eye of the Ball then i don't know what is.
Watching Liverpool V Arsenal in the past i would lament on how many of their players would walk in to our City team. It was always just 2 possibly 3 from the combined 22 on the Pitch.
Today i had the same thought in reverse, how many of our current first team would walk in to a Liverpool v Arsenal combined 22.
The realisation that only Haaland/Rodri, and a fit Stones would make those sides.
That is how far the quality has dropped off it is pretty damning indictment of where we are at as a Club right now.
I talk to a few people who have good connections at the Club, who have privately voiced concerns how unprofessional the entire Club set up at every level has become right now.
The planning is unfathomable. Needing Tier 1 players to guarantee our Top 4 and European status and revenue. Ignoring what was needed to achieve it and focusing on the future. Even more crazy was giving the Man leaving soon Money for a rebuild the new manager will want to do his way.
I have no doubt we are going to struggle this season, we need more than a fit Rodri to make a team of half arsed Tier 2 journey Men look good.
Sums it up. Pep was lucky to inherit a great set of players when he came. Gone downhill since centurian season . Chumps league was an upward blip on a downhill slide
Re: Why Have We Been Buying Expensive Hopefuls For The Futu

Posted:
Mon Sep 01, 2025 7:31 am
by ayrshireblue
Indianablue wrote:zabbadabbado wrote:Why Have We Been Buying expensive Hopefuls For The Future.
Makes zero logical sense to me personally. Seeing as Pep will be gone in 2 seasons max. Likely much sooner.
Last season we barely scraped top 4 it was obvious we needed 2,3, Stellar upgrades in the Squad just to compete at the desired level again this season
Yet we balked at transfer fees and packages for Tier 1 players to replace KDB like Wirtz and Kerkez etc Players that we needed right now to strengthen the first team.
We can not accuse our owners of not financing the Manager either. We have spent nearly half a Billion on players who are nothing spectacular to look at. Sure they have the possibility for potential . But we didn't need them right now. Only to farm them out on loan etc. We still have no recognised Right Back, we are still fully reliant on the same players who under achieved last Season and just 3 games in have all produced calamitous moments. Rodri has alluded to it today "School Boy errors from not concentrating" criminal
So i ask what is going on with the squad planning, who is really behind it ? are we now suddenly happy with mediocrity after lifting the European Cup.
We have one of the best academies in World Football to complement our first team squad if needed to tap in for "Ones for the future "We are over loaded with average midfield players in the squad. Yet neglect what is needed here and now.
We have gone from shopping at Harrods to shopping in Tesco. Seemingly preferring quantity over quality. Still spending a hefty half a Billion in the process on hopefuls instead of proven quality. .
If that is not taking your Eye of the Ball then i don't know what is.
Watching Liverpool V Arsenal in the past i would lament on how many of their players would walk in to our City team. It was always just 2 possibly 3 from the combined 22 on the Pitch.
Today i had the same thought in reverse, how many of our current first team would walk in to a Liverpool v Arsenal combined 22.
The realisation that only Haaland/Rodri, and a fit Stones would make those sides.
That is how far the quality has dropped off it is pretty damning indictment of where we are at as a Club right now.
I talk to a few people who have good connections at the Club, who have privately voiced concerns how unprofessional the entire Club set up at every level has become right now.
The planning is unfathomable. Needing Tier 1 players to guarantee our Top 4 and European status and revenue. Ignoring what was needed to achieve it and focusing on the future. Even more crazy was giving the Man leaving soon Money for a rebuild the new manager will want to do his way.
I have no doubt we are going to struggle this season, we need more than a fit Rodri to make a team of half arsed Tier 2 journey Men look good.
Sums it up. Pep was lucky to inherit a great set of players when he came. Gone downhill since centurian season . Chumps league was an upward blip on a downhill slide
Pep didn't inherit a great set of players. There were some great players but many were too old and/or not good enough. Sagna, Zabaleta at RB and ended up with Navas there. Clichy and Kolarov at LB ended up with Delph there. Fernando in midfield. It was a weak squad strengthened by a few really good players like Silva and Aguero. De Bruyne, Sane and Sterling had still to come good for us. Now we have no RB, no grit in the midfield other than Rodri and a striker we don't make the most of and who doesn't really contribute like Aguero did in the build up. Some of the players we have signed will come good but I feel that Guardiola is a shadow over the freedom of those players now rather than being a beacon.
Re: Why Have We Been Buying Expensive Hopefuls For The Futu

Posted:
Mon Sep 01, 2025 9:05 pm
by Nick
Is it me or is there a lack of quality players? Coupled with everyone's over priced?
Wirtz is sold as a ready made - but he isnt
Back at the takeover we bid for
Buffon
David villa
Muller
Kaka
Who is about now thats ready made?
For me rodrygo is but half of blues didnt want him.
Valverde? Who else? Hakimi.. Saka? Im struggling..