Isco

[Wonderwall]

There are hundreds of players 21 years old who have the potential to develop into world class players. And in 6 months there will be 20 more on the radar who could be great in 2-3 years. And 6 months after that 20 more. And 6 months after that 20 more. And 6 months after that 20 more.

To think that Isco is the ONLY player at the age of 21 in the world who has the potential to be great is beyond dumb. Really, I cannot stress how stupid it is.

Players develop at different ages at different trajectories based on their bodies, coaches, environments, mental attitude, and much more. All of these factors are constantly changing and can result in a 18 year old wonder kid not developing or a 24 year old kid on the border being able to take the next step up to the next level. Trust that City pays millions for professional scouts around the world to constantly assess and report on the best prospects.

So I won't start to name players who I think could be better than the current media darling Isco from my desk in Washington, DC. Because I only know a fraction of one percent about the talent available. And you know even less.

Sorry but to think that top footballing scouts world wide know there are 100s of other isco talents out there is naive to say the least. They look at more than just potential. They look at
Lifestyle
Attitude
Ability
Off field activities
Their background
Their parents
And on and on...

Isco going to be a very big talent.

[Cocacolajojo1]

Name 1.

There are hundreds of players 21 years old who have the potential to develop into world class players. And in 6 months there will be 20 more on the radar who could be great in 2-3 years. And 6 months after that 20 more. And 6 months after that 20 more. And 6 months after that 20 more.

To think that Isco is the ONLY player at the age of 21 in the world who has the potential to be great is beyond dumb. Really, I cannot stress how stupid it is.

Players develop at different ages at different trajectories based on their bodies, coaches, environments, mental attitude, and much more. All of these factors are constantly changing and can result in a 18 year old wonder kid not developing or a 24 year old kid on the border being able to take the step up to the next level (for example Yaya to Barcelona). Trust that City pays millions for professional scouts around the world to constantly assess and report on the best prospects.

So I won't start to name players who I think could be better than the current media darling Isco from my desk in Washington, DC. Because I only know a fraction of one percent about the talent available. And you know even less.

Re the different trajectories: Luca Toni broke through at what, around 28? Bastian Schweinsteiger didn't move into his central midfield position until he was 25, before that he was a winger. It should also be remembered that Xavi wasn't always that popular with Barcelona fans and got a lot of shit before he blossomed into the player he is now.

At the same time though, players like Toni are the exceptions wouldn't you agree?

[bigblue]

Sorry but to think that top footballing scouts world wide know there are 100s of other isco talents out there is naive to say the least. They look at more than just potential. They look at
Lifestyle
Attitude
Ability
Off field activities
Their background
Their parents
And on and on...

Isco going to be a very big talent.

I'm saying that scouting is much like venture capital. You know that 10% of your prospects will come good, but that 1 out of 10 that do come good pays for the investment in at least 10 more prospects. There is so much risk and (as you mentioned) external factors involved that almost no one is able to assess with even 50% confidence which talents will pan out (become world class). There are hundreds of potential players and some have a stronger indication than others. Some make it to be world class, some flow, and most become mediocre.

The way that you come out ahead is to have a stronger deal flow of more prospects at a higher level. This amount to continuing to build our scouting network and ties to clubs that produce top talent. While at the same time build up the City name so that we can compete with the top 5 clubs in the world when it comes time for a player to make a decision. So knowing the inherent risk involved, to pin our hopes on one or two options is foolish. And to think that it's Isco or bust is brain dead. There will always be more Iscos.

[Blue Since 76]

There are hundreds of players 21 years old who have the potential to develop into world class players. And in 6 months there will be 20 more on the radar who could be great in 2-3 years. And 6 months after that 20 more. And 6 months after that 20 more. And 6 months after that 20 more.

To think that Isco is the ONLY player at the age of 21 in the world who has the potential to be great is beyond dumb. Really, I cannot stress how stupid it is.

Players develop at different ages at different trajectories based on their bodies, coaches, environments, mental attitude, and much more. All of these factors are constantly changing and can result in a 18 year old wonder kid not developing or a 24 year old kid on the border being able to take the step up to the next level (for example Yaya to Barcelona). Trust that City pays millions for professional scouts around the world to constantly assess and report on the best prospects.

So I won't start to name players who I think could be better than the current media darling Isco from my desk in Washington, DC. Because I only know a fraction of one percent about the talent available. And you know even less.

There will always be great players coming through. However, if you're not careful, you end up as Arsenal, always just 12 months away from being brilliant. We missed out on Sanchez, but then Hazard came along, then Isco. Sooner or later, we have to get one of these or continue to watch rivals strengthen with players who'll be there for 5-10 years.

As for wonder kids, yes at 18, but by 21 most good players stand out. Very few develop after that point to be world class. Isco was many people's player of the U21 tournament, probably pipped by Thiago as he got the hat-trick in the final. That's more than just a media darling

[bigblue]

As for wonder kids, yes at 18, but by 21 most good players stand out. Very few develop after that point to be world class. Isco was many people's player of the U21 tournament, probably pipped by Thiago as he got the hat-trick in the final. That's more than just a media darling

Look at the list:

1978 - Vahid Halilhodžić - Yugoslavia
1980 - Anatoliy Demyanenko - Soviet Union
1982 - Rudi Völler - Germany
1984 - Mark Hateley - England
1986 - Manuel Sanchis - Spain
1988 - Laurent Blanc - France
1990 - Davor Šuker - Yugoslavia
1992 - Renato Buso - Italy
1994 - Luís Figo - Portugal
1996 - Fabio Cannavaro - Italy
1998 - Francesc Arnau - Spain
2000 - Andrea Pirlo - Italy
2002 - Petr Čech - Czech Republic
2004 - Alberto Gilardino - Italy
2006 - Klaas-Jan Huntelaar - Netherlands
2007 - Royston Drenthe - Netherlands
2009 - Marcus Berg - Sweden
2011 - Juan Mata - Spain
2013 - Thiago Alcântara - Spain

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro ... den_Player

I'd say it's about 50/50 whether or not the best player at the Euro u21s becomes one of the best in the world.

[Blue Since 76]

Look at the list:

1978 - Vahid Halilhodžić - Yugoslavia
1980 - Anatoliy Demyanenko - Soviet Union
1982 - Rudi Völler - Germany
1984 - Mark Hateley - England
1986 - Manuel Sanchis - Spain
1988 - Laurent Blanc - France
1990 - Davor Šuker - Yugoslavia
1992 - Renato Buso - Italy
1994 - Luís Figo - Portugal
1996 - Fabio Cannavaro - Italy
1998 - Francesc Arnau - Spain
2000 - Andrea Pirlo - Italy
2002 - Petr Čech - Czech Republic
2004 - Alberto Gilardino - Italy
2006 - Klaas-Jan Huntelaar - Netherlands
2007 - Royston Drenthe - Netherlands
2009 - Marcus Berg - Sweden
2011 - Juan Mata - Spain
2013 - Thiago Alcântara - Spain

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro ... den_Player

I'd say it's about 50/50 whether or not the best player at the Euro u21s becomes one of the best in the world.

Do you therefore think it's worth taking a punt on a player who's 50/50 to be a world class talent? I'd say yes, if you can get them, you do. This isn't just off the back of one tournament either, although that seems to be the driver for Madrid. We've been linked with him for over a year and I'm pretty sure Mancini was reported as going to watch him. He also fits with our policy of looking at players who can grow into greats with the club.

He's played in La Liga and the Champions League, so I'm sure he could have been useful for us next season, but I suspect it was his potential that was of more interest.

[Hazy2]

The whole landscape has changed . From Zenit to Monaco us nice will be squashed. Bayarn pissed all over BVB parade with Goetze announced the morning of a champs League semi. Isco was our chance, we blew it, onwards lets get Messi. Tevez gone btw.

[Sideshow Bob]

As for wonder kids, yes at 18, but by 21 most good players stand out. Very few develop after that point to be world class. Isco was many people's player of the U21 tournament, probably pipped by Thiago as he got the hat-trick in the final. That's more than just a media darling

Look at the list:

1978 - Vahid Halilhodžić - Yugoslavia
1980 - Anatoliy Demyanenko - Soviet Union
1982 - Rudi Völler - Germany
1984 - Mark Hateley - England
1986 - Manuel Sanchis - Spain
1988 - Laurent Blanc - France
1990 - Davor Šuker - Yugoslavia
1992 - Renato Buso - Italy
1994 - Luís Figo - Portugal
1996 - Fabio Cannavaro - Italy
1998 - Francesc Arnau - Spain
2000 - Andrea Pirlo - Italy
2002 - Petr Čech - Czech Republic
2004 - Alberto Gilardino - Italy
2006 - Klaas-Jan Huntelaar - Netherlands
2007 - Royston Drenthe - Netherlands
2009 - Marcus Berg - Sweden
2011 - Juan Mata - Spain
2013 - Thiago Alcântara - Spain

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro ... den_Player

I'd say it's about 50/50 whether or not the best player at the Euro u21s becomes one of the best in the world.

not sure that list proves your point. for a decent shot at a future figo or pirlo or cannavaro, i'd fucking break the bank. and none of the others turned out too bad either!!

[patrickblue]

6 months ago 95% of you never even heard of Isco. Now all of a sudden he is the man that is the difference between 1st and 2nd place? Bullshit. While it would be nice to have him, it's not that bad if we don't.

Can't you see the trend that always happens? A new young starlet will get endlessly hyped up by the media for a few months and inevitably linked to City. Then people on here will be going on about how this man is the future of football and our success or failure is linked to his signing along.

There is no single silver bullet that will propel us to champs league glory. We already have the best squad in the league. And we already signed better than last summer. We just need who we have to play to their potential. So stop letting the media get inside your heads and set the agenda.

You really fucked up the doom and gloom fest there. It was getting quite bluemoonesqe too.

[bigblue]

not sure that list proves your point. for a decent shot at a future figo or pirlo or cannavaro, i'd fucking break the bank. and none of the others turned out too bad either!!

But is also means that failing to get Isco doesn't mean that we 100% missed out on Pele v2.0 and are fucked for the next 10 years, wallowing in obscurity under Real, Barca, and Bayern.

It just adds some perspective to this panicked, tunnel-vision thread.

And to think that some of you give the Bosnians shit over Dzeko!!! Isco hasn't even signed and you have wanked yourselves dry over every story that mentions his name in the paper (without even seeing him actually play more than a few games).

[Twobob]

We will not compete with the likes of Barca, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, even Scum and chelsea have a greater draw because of their recent achievements in europe. We need to do well in the prestige european competition to be in with a chance on reputation and that so called fucking history bollox. We need to wake up and realise that if we are going to get the biggest talents and go toe to toe with the big boys we either need to pay stupid money and keep ruining football to get our media status upgraded or build over time and stop whinging.

Spot on, but no matter how many times it is mentioned there are still people with delusions of grandeur

[chips]

Suits him.

[Yaya Toure is a LAD]

Suits him.

Lets sign him then!

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

As for wonder kids, yes at 18, but by 21 most good players stand out. Very few develop after that point to be world class. Isco was many people's player of the U21 tournament, probably pipped by Thiago as he got the hat-trick in the final. That's more than just a media darling

Look at the list:

1978 - Vahid Halilhodžić - Yugoslavia
1980 - Anatoliy Demyanenko - Soviet Union
1982 - Rudi Völler - Germany
1984 - Mark Hateley - England
1986 - Manuel Sanchis - Spain
1988 - Laurent Blanc - France
1990 - Davor Šuker - Yugoslavia
1992 - Renato Buso - Italy
1994 - Luís Figo - Portugal
1996 - Fabio Cannavaro - Italy
1998 - Francesc Arnau - Spain
2000 - Andrea Pirlo - Italy
2002 - Petr Čech - Czech Republic
2004 - Alberto Gilardino - Italy
2006 - Klaas-Jan Huntelaar - Netherlands
2007 - Royston Drenthe - Netherlands
2009 - Marcus Berg - Sweden
2011 - Juan Mata - Spain
2013 - Thiago Alcântara - Spain

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro ... den_Player

I'd say it's about 50/50 whether or not the best player at the Euro u21s becomes one of the best in the world.

I don't know what is the point you are trying to make with that list but honestly, considering it's STILL youth tournament we are talking about, that's pretty god damn impressive. In fact so impressive that I would take stab in the dark with any future U21 Euro Best Player in the future!

Forgetting Alcantra obviously, I'd say eight of them were among top 8 players in the world one time or another (Mata, Cech, Pirlo, Cannavaro, Figo, Suker, Blanc, Völler). 5 had at very least career you could describe prolific (Demyanenko, Hateley, Sanchis, Gilardino, Huntelaar ). Only 5 seemed to have flopped (Halihodcic, Buso, Arnau, Berg, Drenthe). 44% chance that we'd have genuine super star quality player, 28 % chance that we'd have serviceable squad member in our hands and 28% chance that we'd have a flop. I think that's as good odds as you are likely to get.

Oh, and Thiago is very much star in the making so I can't see him ending anywhere but top two groups.

[Hazy2]

As for wonder kids, yes at 18, but by 21 most good players stand out. Very few develop after that point to be world class. Isco was many people's player of the U21 tournament, probably pipped by Thiago as he got the hat-trick in the final. That's more than just a media darling

Look at the list:

1978 - Vahid Halilhodžić - Yugoslavia
1980 - Anatoliy Demyanenko - Soviet Union
1982 - Rudi Völler - Germany
1984 - Mark Hateley - England
1986 - Manuel Sanchis - Spain
1988 - Laurent Blanc - France
1990 - Davor Šuker - Yugoslavia
1992 - Renato Buso - Italy
1994 - Luís Figo - Portugal
1996 - Fabio Cannavaro - Italy
1998 - Francesc Arnau - Spain
2000 - Andrea Pirlo - Italy
2002 - Petr Čech - Czech Republic
2004 - Alberto Gilardino - Italy
2006 - Klaas-Jan Huntelaar - Netherlands
2007 - Royston Drenthe - Netherlands
2009 - Marcus Berg - Sweden
2011 - Juan Mata - Spain
2013 - Thiago Alcântara - Spain

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro ... den_Player

I'd say it's about 50/50 whether or not the best player at the Euro u21s becomes one of the best in the world.

I think you have missed it Magoo, Players like Isco offer more than quality on the pitch, they bring a whole new meaning to marketing, look at him FFS, HE IS GONNA BE A SPECIAL PLAYER, WITH AN ADDED VALUE YOU CANNOT PUT A PRICE ON WHEN IT COMES TO IMAGE. MADRID HAVE GOT A GOLD MINE WHEN IT COMES TO CONNECTING WITH THE NEXT GEN OF FANS.

[Bleed_Blue]

Was selling Tevez, to make space for Isco behind the striker ??

Is it to entice him with more first team opportunities.

Not that it matters now, but got me thinking.

[Blue Blood]

Was selling Tevez, to make space for Isco behind the striker ??

Is it to entice him with more first team opportunities.

Not that it matters now, but got me thinking.

I think he is gone to RM sadly, however certainly boosts his first team chances here with Tevez offski! A good point to bring up!

[Socrates]

As for wonder kids, yes at 18, but by 21 most good players stand out. Very few develop after that point to be world class. Isco was many people's player of the U21 tournament, probably pipped by Thiago as he got the hat-trick in the final. That's more than just a media darling

Look at the list:

1978 - Vahid Halilhodžić - Yugoslavia
1980 - Anatoliy Demyanenko - Soviet Union
1982 - Rudi Völler - Germany
1984 - Mark Hateley - England
1986 - Manuel Sanchis - Spain
1988 - Laurent Blanc - France
1990 - Davor Šuker - Yugoslavia
1992 - Renato Buso - Italy
1994 - Luís Figo - Portugal
1996 - Fabio Cannavaro - Italy
1998 - Francesc Arnau - Spain
2000 - Andrea Pirlo - Italy
2002 - Petr Čech - Czech Republic
2004 - Alberto Gilardino - Italy
2006 - Klaas-Jan Huntelaar - Netherlands
2007 - Royston Drenthe - Netherlands
2009 - Marcus Berg - Sweden
2011 - Juan Mata - Spain
2013 - Thiago Alcântara - Spain

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro ... den_Player

I'd say it's about 50/50 whether or not the best player at the Euro u21s becomes one of the best in the world.

I don't know what is the point you are trying to make with that list but honestly, considering it's STILL youth tournament we are talking about, that's pretty god damn impressive. In fact so impressive that I would take stab in the dark with any future U21 Euro Best Player in the future!

Forgetting Alcantra obviously, I'd say eight of them were among top 8 players in the world one time or another (Mata, Cech, Pirlo, Cannavaro, Figo, Suker, Blanc, Völler). 5 had at very least career you could describe prolific (Demyanenko, Hateley, Sanchis, Gilardino, Huntelaar ). Only 5 seemed to have flopped (Halihodcic, Buso, Arnau, Berg, Drenthe). 44% chance that we'd have genuine super star quality player, 28 % chance that we'd have serviceable squad member in our hands and 28% chance that we'd have a flop. I think that's as good odds as you are likely to get.

Oh, and Thiago is very much star in the making so I can't see him ending anywhere but top two groups.

Only thing wrong with the argument is that Isco isn't actually on that list...

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

As for wonder kids, yes at 18, but by 21 most good players stand out. Very few develop after that point to be world class. Isco was many people's player of the U21 tournament, probably pipped by Thiago as he got the hat-trick in the final. That's more than just a media darling

Look at the list:

1978 - Vahid Halilhodžić - Yugoslavia
1980 - Anatoliy Demyanenko - Soviet Union
1982 - Rudi Völler - Germany
1984 - Mark Hateley - England
1986 - Manuel Sanchis - Spain
1988 - Laurent Blanc - France
1990 - Davor Šuker - Yugoslavia
1992 - Renato Buso - Italy
1994 - Luís Figo - Portugal
1996 - Fabio Cannavaro - Italy
1998 - Francesc Arnau - Spain
2000 - Andrea Pirlo - Italy
2002 - Petr Čech - Czech Republic
2004 - Alberto Gilardino - Italy
2006 - Klaas-Jan Huntelaar - Netherlands
2007 - Royston Drenthe - Netherlands
2009 - Marcus Berg - Sweden
2011 - Juan Mata - Spain
2013 - Thiago Alcântara - Spain

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro ... den_Player

I'd say it's about 50/50 whether or not the best player at the Euro u21s becomes one of the best in the world.

I don't know what is the point you are trying to make with that list but honestly, considering it's STILL youth tournament we are talking about, that's pretty god damn impressive. In fact so impressive that I would take stab in the dark with any future U21 Euro Best Player in the future!

Forgetting Alcantra obviously, I'd say eight of them were among top 8 players in the world one time or another (Mata, Cech, Pirlo, Cannavaro, Figo, Suker, Blanc, Völler). 5 had at very least career you could describe prolific (Demyanenko, Hateley, Sanchis, Gilardino, Huntelaar ). Only 5 seemed to have flopped (Halihodcic, Buso, Arnau, Berg, Drenthe). 44% chance that we'd have genuine super star quality player, 28 % chance that we'd have serviceable squad member in our hands and 28% chance that we'd have a flop. I think that's as good odds as you are likely to get.

Oh, and Thiago is very much star in the making so I can't see him ending anywhere but top two groups.

Only thing wrong with the argument is that Isco isn't actually on that list...

I didn't get the point to begin with. I suppose it was that players who have excelled in that tournament in the past haven't turned out to be fantastic. Argument which for most parts is clearly wrong.

[twosips]

Yeah just read that list and found it staggering that it wasn't seen in a positive light. Nearly 3/4 of them would all be great squad players, if not stars in our team. Even the players that didn't make it aren't exactly crap. Just good mid table players.