Central Defence

[Hazy2]

For me maffeo is a RB. He has a fantastic energy and an engine that would give opposition wide men and full backs a good work out. He is first and foremost a very good defender that can get forward. I agree with Doug that he is ready, I actually thought he was ready last season.

Pellers only mentions Garcia, Robbers along with kelechi, as players he thinks will help.

[Tokyo Blue]

For me maffeo is a RB. He has a fantastic energy and an engine that would give opposition wide men and full backs a good work out. He is first and foremost a very good defender that can get forward. I agree with Doug that he is ready, I actually thought he was ready last season.

Thanks, Doug. You said that without moving your lips.

[iwasthere2012]

In the current academy we have 2 very promising center backs in Tosin Adarabyio and Cameron Humphreys Grant. Promising but not ready yet. Cameron played in the pre season tour and is still only 17 and developing well.Tosin I have very high hopes for but is just too raw to thrown in just yet.

Bear in ming that Denayer is well ahead of both of them yet we decided to ship him out on loan and you can see there is no chance of one of the other two being thrown in.

The best defender in the EDS imo is Pablo Maffeo ( very good again in tonight's EDS game and playing at center half) and I think he played his first senior game when he was 15 in the Spanish 2nd division. Is he ready or good enough? Well I would have him in before MDM at center back the way he has been playing and I do feel he wouldn't let us down playing full back.

Thanks Doug. I've liked the little bits I've seen of Adarabyio. He looks very assured. I've seen less of Humphreys. Like WW I had hoped Maffeo would be ready for this year, but he hasn't got off the bench yet. I would love to see him given a chance a right back. Is he tall enough to play at Centre Back?
Also, what is the story with Angelino. I loved seeing him play last year but by all accounts his displays with NY haven't been overly encouraging. I know Twosips has said he has grown. He is training with us. Is there any info on whether he'll be around after January or will he go out on loan.

Here's one probably for Twosips. Anyone who has an opinion though. What do we think in general of our loan policy. Which ones are working and which ones aren't? Is it the only way to go with the number of players we have coming through, or should we integrate more of them into the squad, quicker?

[Wonderwall]

For me maffeo is a RB. He has a fantastic energy and an engine that would give opposition wide men and full backs a good work out. He is first and foremost a very good defender that can get forward. I agree with Doug that he is ready, I actually thought he was ready last season.

Thanks, Doug. You said that without moving your lips.

Doug said Thanks

[Douglas Higginbottom]

For me maffeo is a RB. He has a fantastic energy and an engine that would give opposition wide men and full backs a good work out. He is first and foremost a very good defender that can get forward. I agree with Doug that he is ready, I actually thought he was ready last season.

Thanks, Doug. You said that without moving your lips.

Doug said Thanks

I did. I agree with WW that Maffeo is more a right back than center back but he has been played there a lot and maybe City think differently. I would be concerned if he played in the center against a really big powerful guy.

[PrezIke]

For me maffeo is a RB. He has a fantastic energy and an engine that would give opposition wide men and full backs a good work out. He is first and foremost a very good defender that can get forward. I agree with Doug that he is ready, I actually thought he was ready last season.

I hear you on this, and maybe he makes the team next season, but unless Sagna and Zaba drop off enough (possible given their age) we are no going to risk relying on someone of his age given our ambitions. Utd is doing this and look at them. This is why Nacho doesn't play all of the time, even if he is arguably performing better as a scorer than Bony to some in limited minutes. This is given that he's our most developed prospect with a chance to play. He's in the first team squad and playing a little given that we are not rotating at striker much with Aguero, but gets chances also due to injuries, and our lack of depth there.

Point is, I believe that even when players are "ready" that doesn't mean they should or will play too much unless you are a lower status club. I'm excited about our academy/EDS players, but I fully understand the idea of slowly introducing them rather than relying on them consistently, which young players are widely known for having issues with (i.e. Sterling).

[PrezIke]

What will we do after this season?

MDM is obviously off, but from what I hear Denayer is not exactly tearing it up in Turkey.

He cannot be doing that badly seeing as the club are allegedly going to offer him double his salary.

Denayer has enjoyed his time in Turkey but has also told members of his circle that he is ready to make the step up with the Citizens, despite Galatasaray already indicating to his representatives that they are willing to double his present £25,000 a week pay packet. - See more at: https://www.clubcall.com/manchester-cit ... khatu.dpuf

Read more at: https://www.clubcall.com/manchester-cit ... 92145.html?

Lost a reply on my phone yesterday, but I expect Denayer to make the team next season unless he seems to be going too far backwards (I doubt that).

To me, Mangala is probably most at risk to be sold or loaned out. Actually, I could see the latter as a way to keep him in case say Vinny turns out to become even less reliable as fit, and/or Denayer turns into a Phil Jones (aka only their fans actually think he's great). It would probably be with a high enough fee to be worth the risk (including an option to buy), but also could include a buy back fee, unless he wants to move on too.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

What will we do after this season?

MDM is obviously off, but from what I hear Denayer is not exactly tearing it up in Turkey.

He cannot be doing that badly seeing as the club are allegedly going to offer him double his salary.

Denayer has enjoyed his time in Turkey but has also told members of his circle that he is ready to make the step up with the Citizens, despite Galatasaray already indicating to his representatives that they are willing to double his present £25,000 a week pay packet. - See more at: https://www.clubcall.com/manchester-cit ... khatu.dpuf

Read more at: https://www.clubcall.com/manchester-cit ... 92145.html?

Lost a reply on my phone yesterday, but I expect Denayer to make the team next season unless he seems to be going too far backwards (I doubt that).

To me, Mangala is probably most at risk to be sold or loaned out. Actually, I could see the latter as a way to keep him in case say Vinny turns out to become even less reliable as fit, and/or Denayer turns into a Phil Jones (aka only their fans actually think he's great). It would probably be with a high enough fee to be worth the risk (including an option to buy), but also could include a buy back fee, unless he wants to move on too.

Demi is likely gone though so that would leave us with Kompany, Otamendi, Mangala and Denayer. Can't see Mangala going anywhere.

[carl_feedthegoat]

What will we do after this season?

MDM is obviously off, but from what I hear Denayer is not exactly tearing it up in Turkey.

He cannot be doing that badly seeing as the club are allegedly going to offer him double his salary.

Denayer has enjoyed his time in Turkey but has also told members of his circle that he is ready to make the step up with the Citizens, despite Galatasaray already indicating to his representatives that they are willing to double his present £25,000 a week pay packet. - See more at: https://www.clubcall.com/manchester-cit ... khatu.dpuf

Read more at: https://www.clubcall.com/manchester-cit ... 92145.html?

Lost a reply on my phone yesterday, but I expect Denayer to make the team next season unless he seems to be going too far backwards (I doubt that).

To me, Mangala is probably most at risk to be sold or loaned out. Actually, I could see the latter as a way to keep him in case say Vinny turns out to become even less reliable as fit, and/or Denayer turns into a Phil Jones (aka only their fans actually think he's great). It would probably be with a high enough fee to be worth the risk (including an option to buy), but also could include a buy back fee, unless he wants to move on too.

Demi is likely gone though so that would leave us with Kompany, Otamendi, Mangala and Denayer. Can't see Mangala going anywhere.

City tried to offload him to Valencia in the summer and if it wasnt for certain factors he would have been gone .even if it was as a loan.

Hes played shit this season and has done zero to convince anyone thta he can cement his place at the back ....................................and yet you cannot see Mangala going anywhere?????

Alright then.

[Hazy2]

Mango has gone more mongo to be brutally honest.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

What will we do after this season?

MDM is obviously off, but from what I hear Denayer is not exactly tearing it up in Turkey.

He cannot be doing that badly seeing as the club are allegedly going to offer him double his salary.

Denayer has enjoyed his time in Turkey but has also told members of his circle that he is ready to make the step up with the Citizens, despite Galatasaray already indicating to his representatives that they are willing to double his present £25,000 a week pay packet. - See more at: https://www.clubcall.com/manchester-cit ... khatu.dpuf

Read more at: https://www.clubcall.com/manchester-cit ... 92145.html?

Lost a reply on my phone yesterday, but I expect Denayer to make the team next season unless he seems to be going too far backwards (I doubt that).

To me, Mangala is probably most at risk to be sold or loaned out. Actually, I could see the latter as a way to keep him in case say Vinny turns out to become even less reliable as fit, and/or Denayer turns into a Phil Jones (aka only their fans actually think he's great). It would probably be with a high enough fee to be worth the risk (including an option to buy), but also could include a buy back fee, unless he wants to move on too.

Demi is likely gone though so that would leave us with Kompany, Otamendi, Mangala and Denayer. Can't see Mangala going anywhere.

City tried to offload him to Valencia in the summer and if it wasnt for certain factors he would have been gone .even if it was as a loan.

Hes played shit this season and has done zero to convince anyone thta he can cement his place at the back ....................................and yet you cannot see Mangala going anywhere?????

Alright then.

He was playing very well early this season, so well in fact that Pellegrini said he couldn't justify dropping him to give Otamendi his chance. He then picked up an injury and has been a bit hit and miss since playing next to a player trying to settle in a new league or a player who's legs have gone.

Why would the club go out and spend in this position again when they don't need to? There's other areas need addressing before centre back where we will have 4 good options. Full back on both sides and central midfield needs sorting before we splash out again at centre back.

[Dameerto]

We do have some ageing Fullbacks. Sagna is having a good season though, thankfully.

[PrezIke]

He was playing very well early this season, so well in fact that Pellegrini said he couldn't justify dropping him to give Otamendi his chance. He then picked up an injury and has been a bit hit and miss since playing next to a player trying to settle in a new league or a player who's legs have gone.

Why would the club go out and spend in this position again when they don't need to? There's other areas need addressing before centre back where we will have 4 good options. Full back on both sides and central midfield needs sorting before we splash out again at centre back.

I'm not expecting us to buy, rather than consider who is going, and I already assumed Demi to be gone, but carrying 4 centre halves is too many when the others could start somewhere. I'd like to keep Mangala but I think if he keeps up this form he's in trouble. At this point it is starting to feel like a few too many explanations for his performances other than maturity, vommunication and decision making and I mean that compared to other scape goats, i.e. Bony, who has been injured more and contributed more elsewhere (I know Carl and others will disagree), while if Mangala is not doing well he can't really offer much else and is costing us games.

He did well when partnered with Vinny to start, but he is hard to predict when it comes to fitness. I've read more than once that Ottamendi and he need time together, but someone correct me if I am wrong but didn't they play a season together partnering at Porto? Ottamendi is also culpable but he seems less prone to errors and appears to be higher on the pecking order if Vinny is fit.

Mangala was dropped to get ottamendi a chance and then had a mare with Demi and those two were our best partnership last season. Yes, Demi has struggled but he's rarely out of position at least just getting burned due to his lack of pace, while Mangala seems to repeat mistakes since then, which could b injury related in fairness but i dunno.

I am worried about selling him because maybe he's a slower learner, has great physical attributes, he's only 24-25 years old and when he enters his prime years Vinny will be at the end of his. If he goes to chelsea and blossoms there Id be upset but would he be willing to possibly be the 3rd or 4th choice next season?

That's why I could see a loan move unless he improves or maybe being sold. Ottamendi is in his first year with us/in the league and is older having more success against top teams in Spain who we may face in CL regularly. I hope Mangala improves and stays I'm just saying it may need to happen if things remain the same as selling Vinny seems like a total pipe dream for those advocating for it (not me).

Yes we need new FB's but that's another sconversation.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

Can't see us going into a season with just three centre backs mate, especially not with Kompany so injury prone.

[PrezIke]

Can't see us going into a season with just three centre backs mate, especially not with Kompany so injury prone.

I hear you, I just doubt Mangala will be happy as the 3rd or 4th choice next season. However, maybe he will be willing to, and we could be patient given the investment, and issue you raise, but some clubs in need of help there might come out with some low ball-esque offers to see if he might push for a move. Denayer seems like a better replacement for Demi, so if that occurs we could see he being the only one gone.

This topic was discussed on the latest Blue Moon podcast, interestingly enough. Some say they think Mangala will go, and expressed a lot of worry over how poor we seem without Vinny.

Personally, I'd like to keep him and give him one more season, or at least half of next season, unless we see the same thing the rest of this year. We are going to have to sell low, and he still has potential.

[shortagain]

I've only skimmed through the string but haven't seen the name Ramiro Funes Mori mentioned. Seen him play a couple of times this season & he looks like the one allowing Stones to impress. We'll get chances to see him close up in January, but if he impresses, they may let him go in preference to Stones. May even be worth a January bid as wouldn't have to get used to the PL, especially if we still can't get Vinnie on the pitch. Plays along side Otto for the Argies as well

[Foreverinbluedreams]

I've only skimmed through the string but haven't seen the name Ramiro Funes Mori mentioned. Seen him play a couple of times this season & he looks like the one allowing Stones to impress. We'll get chances to see him close up in January, but if he impresses, they may let him go in preference to Stones. May even be worth a January bid as wouldn't have to get used to the PL, especially if we still can't get Vinnie on the pitch. Plays along side Otto for the Argies as well

Didn't Stones impress last season too? Let's buy Jagielka.

[Hazy2]

I would add the experience of an Ashley Williams to the squad he is a very capable player. Like Demi did .. not going to be fazed and will bring a calmness to the back 4. Good pace great on the ball, perfect for a Vinny type of role.

[Slim]

I would add the experience of an Ashley Williams to the squad he is a very capable player. Like Demi did .. not going to be fazed and will bring a calmness to the back 4. Good pace great on the ball, perfect for a Vinny type of role.

I like the looks of Steven Caulker, he's only on loan at Soton and if QPR fail to get promoted he could be interested in a move even as 3rd choice.

[Hazy2]

I would add the experience of an Ashley Williams to the squad he is a very capable player. Like Demi did .. not going to be fazed and will bring a calmness to the back 4. Good pace great on the ball, perfect for a Vinny type of role.

I like the looks of Steven Caulker, he's only on loan at Soton and if QPR fail to get promoted he could be interested in a move even as 3rd choice.

Williams,,,, slim could boost us, never injured likes a battle but can play to a high level and should be at a bigger club for me.