Patrick Roberts - confirmed

[phips]

should someone like Roberts really be playing in our EDS squad? wouldn't he benefit from going on loan somewhere where he can play against better opposition?

[DoomMerchant]

should someone like Roberts really be playing in our EDS squad? wouldn't he benefit from going on loan somewhere where he can play against better opposition?

What information are you basing your perspective on where he will be playing come August?

Cheers

[Ted Hughes]

If talkshite want to further that agenda then that's one thing, but seriously, City fans should think twice about helping that bandwaggon to roll.

Our academy is fucking magnificent & if the talent coming through it, isn't better than most places on the planet, then I suggest that the planet is going to be short of quality footballers.

[Dunnylad]

should someone like Roberts really be playing in our EDS squad? wouldn't he benefit from going on loan somewhere where he can play against better opposition?

Depends on how much 'coaching' he needs to develop - no point signing him and then loaning him out without the influence of the coaching.set up we have, which presumably is better than Fulham's.

[Wonderwall]

should someone like Roberts really be playing in our EDS squad? wouldn't he benefit from going on loan somewhere where he can play against better opposition?

Depends on how much 'coaching' he needs to develop - no point signing him and then loaning him out without the influence of the coaching.set up we have, which presumably is better than Fulham's.

Fulhams youth system is pretty good.

If anyone missed it, here is a good article on him http://lowerleaguescout.com/patrick-rob ... ng-report/

Upon hearing the news that former Premier League Champions Manchester City have splashed out, what is believed to be in the region of, £12 million for Patrick Roberts, many fans across the country will be asking: ‘Who is he, and what makes him worth this eight figure fee?’

Roberts is a versatile player, who can play just off the striker or on either wing, but his preferred position is on the right hand side of midfield as this allows him to cut inside onto his favoured left foot. At the tender age of just 18, he has already made 22 first team appearances for his former club Fulham, and has also represented England right through from under 16’s to the under 19’s. Keeping with his international career, he was an integral part of the England under 17 team that won the UEFA European U17 Championships in 2014, resulting him being named in the team of the tournament – alongside his new Manchester City team mate Enes Unal.

But what is so special about him? Why have City invested so heavily in such a young player?

One of the main assets Roberts possesses is his ability to take a player on with ease. He has an amazing low centre of gravity, which combined with his quick feet, skill and electric pace, make him a nightmare to defend against. This capability to go past a player not only allows Roberts to enter dangerous positions with the ball, but it also creates space for his teammates to fill. Another impressive trait Roberts holds, is his awareness to pick a pass and produce dangerous crosses, it is this vision and selflessness that has resulted in Roberts producing numerous assists both for his club and his country. He also has a surprisingly powerful shot for such a small player. With all the aforementioned attributes, it is clear to see that Roberts is a player who comes alive in the final third of the pitch and can produce game changing, match winning moments.

An obvious critique of Roberts will be his size, at 5 ft 5 he will always have problems winning aerial duals and on a physical level. However, the notion of size has been seen as less significant in recent times, as emphasised by players such as Messi, Alexis Sanchez and Hazard. A more prominent area Roberts can improve on could be his tendency to be one footed at times, which could prove to be problematic once he comes up against better and more experienced defenders in the Premier League. Also, as Roberts failed to score in any of his appearances for Fulham’s first team, adding some goals to his game may prove necessary in his development.

His career could go one of two ways at his new club Manchester City, either his limited of first team appearances will prove to only have a negative impact on his career – Scott Sinclair and Jack Rodwell will tell you all about that! Or training at the £200 million complex with extremely talented players and coaches around him will turn this ‘wonder kid’ into a world class player. Only time will tell, but this has the potential to be a shrewd bit of business from City and potentially their most important signing this summer.

[sheblue]

Its great to see top quality young players being brought in. This lad seems is very highly rated and destined to be a top player. Fingers crossed.

[Saul Goodman]

Kinda feel like he shouldve been loaned out rather than rotting on the first team bench.
4 young players being promoted is alot and i feel like Roberts may be the odd man out. But i don't know anything.

[mr_nool]

Kinda feel like he shouldve been loaned out rather than rotting on the first team bench.
4 young players being promoted is alot and i feel like Roberts may be the odd man out. But i don't know anything.

He still might get loaned out. I saw Lopes agent was making similar noises in the French press today.

[john@staustell]

We've gotta have someone rotting on the bench. Otherwise the press would go potty

[blues2win]

Pellegrini says there are 3 or 4 young players who will soon be important members of the squad. He mentions Kelechi, Garcia and Roberts.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

If Pellers really has his eye on him and gets him into the first team squad I expect to see him on the bench very early on. Personally I would like to see him play instead of Navas when we need that wide right attacking player.

Can't see Navas would be a first choice player though except in cup games or though injuries but Roberts on the bench in his place sounds good to me. He is a real talent.

[lets all have a disco]

I reckon we play all the young uns when we can,fuck it.


You don't win anything with kids.

[Saul Goodman]

I reckon we play all the young uns when we can,fuck it.


You don't win anything with kids.

There was an interesting article on sky this week proving that, in fact, you dont win with kids

[Bluedj]

If Pellers really has his eye on him and gets him into the first team squad I expect to see him on the bench very early on. Personally I would like to see him play instead of Navas when we need that wide right attacking player.

Can't see Navas would be a first choice player though except in cup games or though injuries but Roberts on the bench in his place sounds good to me. He is a real talent.

Doug, Navas as we know delivers well below par going forward, but his defensive duties an't be faulted, He offers great cover for Zaba, and this is where I feel the young guns ala , Roberts and Lopez need to work on their game, so if MP is tactically astute in game where the threat is greater on the attacking left wing we use Navas, if the threat is less, we use a young gun would offer more in attacking

[phips]

If Pellers really has his eye on him and gets him into the first team squad I expect to see him on the bench very early on. Personally I would like to see him play instead of Navas when we need that wide right attacking player.

Can't see Navas would be a first choice player though except in cup games or though injuries but Roberts on the bench in his place sounds good to me. He is a real talent.

for whatever reason Pellegrini LOVES Navas. he played the most minutes in all comps last yr and i think played the most minutes in the preseason this year

[Tru_Blu]

Where is he? Seems to me Navas and Sterling are vital to our success in playing attacking football, is he going to be ready to step in if we get injuries?

[DoomMerchant]

Where is he? Seems to me Navas and Sterling are vital to our success in playing attacking football, is he going to be ready to step in if we get injuries?

step in? he hasn't even been on the bench yet, has he?

cheers

[CTID Hants]

Where is he?

It's obvious, he's in the Berti Glauber cupboard with Zuculini ;-)

[PrezIke]

It is a good question what we do with players like he or Zucculini.

I guess they just train with the first team, but I'd gather that will hurt their fitness. We do hear rumours of a loan again for Zucculini.

I thought we'd perhaps loan Roberts back to Fulham for the season.

Perhaps we want them to work more closely with our first team players and coaches, as well as access to our facilities to see if that will help them develop further before loaning them out again.

[john@staustell]

Where is he?

It's obvious, he's in the Berti Glauber cupboard with Zuculini ;-)

Not sure Glauber Berti was even a football player to be honest. Even after seeing him that day.