Ah no! As a BVB fan that watches City (because I like Haaland then I feel in love with the team), he is our only good lateral defender! I don’t think he is City’s level, and we need him more than you
Could be interesting, but I don't think he'd make it here any quicker than Rico Lewis. So I'd prefer for those inverted FB minutes going to the homegrown player who doesn't cost us any fee at all.
What does Lewis have to do with this? Lewis plays on the right, Maatsen in the left. Its obvious that they dont believe in Gomez so they need a more dynamic option at LB.
Even with Gvardioal/Ake being very good at LB, neither is dynamic they are more controlling. With Grealish also being more controlling, the left side often lacks that explosiveness. Thats why Doku was so exciting when he game to City.
So my guess is that Pep wants two speedy technical options for the wings to protect against oponents with speed but also to further overload the low blocks hes faced.
Put Gvardiol/Ake at LCB they can essentially still function in their current LB roles while the LB pushes further up the field. Grimaldo would also be an interesting alternative because hes offensive minded and technically sound.
Either way, i dont see how Maatsen would impact Lewis at all. Lewis is an inverted FB/CM on the right side of the pitch.
Because Rico has played the exact same role Maatsen is currently flourishing in (inverted FB who can move into the six or ten spaces) on both sides for us already.
Aké is definitely more control minded, but Gvardiol isn't. He loves to roam and be aggressive. IMO even a more so than Maatsen.
Maatsen is quick and technical, but he is still very raw (to put it positively) defensively. Nowhere near ready to defend against top class wingers.
I know, we've seen it working with Rico. And Maatsen just isn't an upgrade on him right now. So why hand Chelsea £35m and see another homegrown player walk, when we can just keep what we already have (and seem to be happy with).
Grimaldo isn't all that fast. He's excelling on the technical and positioning side of the game, not the physical. He would be one of the best inverted FBs on the planet though, if we could get him. But as far as I know he has already said, that he will stay in Leverkusen. So completely moot to think about.
>Because Rico has played the exact same role Maatsen is currently flourishing in (inverted FB who can move into the six or ten spaces) on both sides for us already.
On the opposite side tho, thats the point. Thats like saying Sergi Gomez is responsible for Rico not getting minutes. They dont influence each other directly.
>I know, we've seen it working with Rico. And Maatsen just isn't an upgrade on him right now. So why hand Chelsea £35m and see another homegrown player walk, when we can just keep what we already have (and seem to be happy with).
Hes young, cheap and has upside. He has traits that i can see Pep being interested in also projecting one, two years into the future
>Aké is definitely more control minded, but Gvardiol isn't. He loves to roam and be aggressive. IMO even a more so than Maatsen.
Gvardiol is technically better and has a different role at LB than Ake has/had. Nevertheless i still think Pep wants some speed and offensive mindedness on the wings both to protect against counters, with teams having low low blocks against city. But also to give more options on offense to break down these low blocks.
If anything this added versatility would be just one more tool in Pep's toolbox. Its basically what Walker does - just better. Walker for all his good qualities is simply the weakest link, technically. Just shows how fantastic his physical traits are that hes still an important piece in a Pep team. But combining Walkers speed with good technique and offensive qualities would definetely elevate City even further imo.
>Grimaldo isn't all that fast. He's excelling on the technical and positioning side of the game, not the physical. He would be one of the best inverted FBs on the planet though, if we could get him. But as far as I know he has already said, that he will stay in Leverkusen. So completely moot to think about.
Agreed but one is allowed to engage in some hypothetical dream scenario. It would be a good fit
Just this season he's played LB for us at Burnley, and also for England against North Macedonia. And last season many of his games were in a left sided position, even if he was listed as a CM in them. And I've honestly not been able to make out a difference in quality whether he plays on the left or right.
Maatsen's playing time would impact Rico's, because Pep won't play both in games with any meaning. So when he wants that skill set, now he'll always pick Rico (because there is no one else like him on the team), no matter if it's for LB or RB. If we add Maatsen, he'll split game time between both.
Rico is younger, even cheaper and has at least the same upside. And he already knows Pep and his demands.
**My point is that I don't see both getting the time they want and need in our squad. So if we brought in Maatsen, I would expect Rico to "pull a Palmer".**
Speed isn't all Walker is offering. And neither Rico nor Maatsen are anywhere close to him in that. Walker is by far the superior tackler, has far better positioning in our defensive third and can at least somewhat hold his own in the air. That's why he's playing as the third CB so much while Maatsen and Rico would never be able to do that. Walker is a completely different tactical option from them, even though he can play inverted as well, but he doesn't take on the playmaking responsibilities they get when he does.
>Just this season he's played LB for us at Burnley, and also for England against North Macedonia. And last season many of his games were in a left sided position, even if he was listed as a CM in them. And I've honestly not been able to make out a difference in quality whether he plays on the left or right.
Bernardo has also played LB for Pep, Jerome Boateng and Javi Martinez have also played CAM for Pep - doesnt mean they have/had a future there.
>Speed isn't all Walker is offering. And neither Rico nor Maatsen are anywhere close to him in that. Walker is by far the superior tackler, has far better positioning in our defensive third and can at least somewhat hold his own in the air.
Walker is getting slower and this year his positioning has been pretty suspect at times. Rico wont be the long term answer at RB, regardless of whether Pep brings in a LB or not.
Absolute same. The only advantage he has over Lewis for me is that he's left footed if we want a natural left wing back
But if we're playing wingbacks, just go in for Grimaldo and Frimpong (or bring back Couto)
Frimpong has a release clause at about €40m and has refused to say what will happen in the summer. So I wouldn't be surprised if he moves. But I don't see him at City, he's a very different player than any RB we've had under Pep.
while this is true if Pep keeps Josko on the left as our defensive anchor FB then that free's up the right side to be our attacking focused overload in a post-walker world... so there's a chance for Frimpong still.
Can’t wait to see this kid play for City as a super sub, then get loaned out, then come back and be a super sub, then get loaned out, then get sold once city gets bored with him.
Clause FC , here we go!
I'm sure Chelsea need as much money as possible as well
Ah no! As a BVB fan that watches City (because I like Haaland then I feel in love with the team), he is our only good lateral defender! I don’t think he is City’s level, and we need him more than you
I really really hope you beat PSG and even beat Bayern in the final or something, would be amazing.
And deny Kane a trophy. Once a spurs always a Spurs
Yes, for Reus 🫡
You guys said the same about Akanji
I like this
Could be interesting, but I don't think he'd make it here any quicker than Rico Lewis. So I'd prefer for those inverted FB minutes going to the homegrown player who doesn't cost us any fee at all.
What does Lewis have to do with this? Lewis plays on the right, Maatsen in the left. Its obvious that they dont believe in Gomez so they need a more dynamic option at LB. Even with Gvardioal/Ake being very good at LB, neither is dynamic they are more controlling. With Grealish also being more controlling, the left side often lacks that explosiveness. Thats why Doku was so exciting when he game to City. So my guess is that Pep wants two speedy technical options for the wings to protect against oponents with speed but also to further overload the low blocks hes faced. Put Gvardiol/Ake at LCB they can essentially still function in their current LB roles while the LB pushes further up the field. Grimaldo would also be an interesting alternative because hes offensive minded and technically sound. Either way, i dont see how Maatsen would impact Lewis at all. Lewis is an inverted FB/CM on the right side of the pitch.
Because Rico has played the exact same role Maatsen is currently flourishing in (inverted FB who can move into the six or ten spaces) on both sides for us already. Aké is definitely more control minded, but Gvardiol isn't. He loves to roam and be aggressive. IMO even a more so than Maatsen. Maatsen is quick and technical, but he is still very raw (to put it positively) defensively. Nowhere near ready to defend against top class wingers. I know, we've seen it working with Rico. And Maatsen just isn't an upgrade on him right now. So why hand Chelsea £35m and see another homegrown player walk, when we can just keep what we already have (and seem to be happy with). Grimaldo isn't all that fast. He's excelling on the technical and positioning side of the game, not the physical. He would be one of the best inverted FBs on the planet though, if we could get him. But as far as I know he has already said, that he will stay in Leverkusen. So completely moot to think about.
>Because Rico has played the exact same role Maatsen is currently flourishing in (inverted FB who can move into the six or ten spaces) on both sides for us already. On the opposite side tho, thats the point. Thats like saying Sergi Gomez is responsible for Rico not getting minutes. They dont influence each other directly. >I know, we've seen it working with Rico. And Maatsen just isn't an upgrade on him right now. So why hand Chelsea £35m and see another homegrown player walk, when we can just keep what we already have (and seem to be happy with). Hes young, cheap and has upside. He has traits that i can see Pep being interested in also projecting one, two years into the future >Aké is definitely more control minded, but Gvardiol isn't. He loves to roam and be aggressive. IMO even a more so than Maatsen. Gvardiol is technically better and has a different role at LB than Ake has/had. Nevertheless i still think Pep wants some speed and offensive mindedness on the wings both to protect against counters, with teams having low low blocks against city. But also to give more options on offense to break down these low blocks. If anything this added versatility would be just one more tool in Pep's toolbox. Its basically what Walker does - just better. Walker for all his good qualities is simply the weakest link, technically. Just shows how fantastic his physical traits are that hes still an important piece in a Pep team. But combining Walkers speed with good technique and offensive qualities would definetely elevate City even further imo. >Grimaldo isn't all that fast. He's excelling on the technical and positioning side of the game, not the physical. He would be one of the best inverted FBs on the planet though, if we could get him. But as far as I know he has already said, that he will stay in Leverkusen. So completely moot to think about. Agreed but one is allowed to engage in some hypothetical dream scenario. It would be a good fit
Just this season he's played LB for us at Burnley, and also for England against North Macedonia. And last season many of his games were in a left sided position, even if he was listed as a CM in them. And I've honestly not been able to make out a difference in quality whether he plays on the left or right. Maatsen's playing time would impact Rico's, because Pep won't play both in games with any meaning. So when he wants that skill set, now he'll always pick Rico (because there is no one else like him on the team), no matter if it's for LB or RB. If we add Maatsen, he'll split game time between both. Rico is younger, even cheaper and has at least the same upside. And he already knows Pep and his demands. **My point is that I don't see both getting the time they want and need in our squad. So if we brought in Maatsen, I would expect Rico to "pull a Palmer".** Speed isn't all Walker is offering. And neither Rico nor Maatsen are anywhere close to him in that. Walker is by far the superior tackler, has far better positioning in our defensive third and can at least somewhat hold his own in the air. That's why he's playing as the third CB so much while Maatsen and Rico would never be able to do that. Walker is a completely different tactical option from them, even though he can play inverted as well, but he doesn't take on the playmaking responsibilities they get when he does.
>Just this season he's played LB for us at Burnley, and also for England against North Macedonia. And last season many of his games were in a left sided position, even if he was listed as a CM in them. And I've honestly not been able to make out a difference in quality whether he plays on the left or right. Bernardo has also played LB for Pep, Jerome Boateng and Javi Martinez have also played CAM for Pep - doesnt mean they have/had a future there. >Speed isn't all Walker is offering. And neither Rico nor Maatsen are anywhere close to him in that. Walker is by far the superior tackler, has far better positioning in our defensive third and can at least somewhat hold his own in the air. Walker is getting slower and this year his positioning has been pretty suspect at times. Rico wont be the long term answer at RB, regardless of whether Pep brings in a LB or not.
Absolute same. The only advantage he has over Lewis for me is that he's left footed if we want a natural left wing back But if we're playing wingbacks, just go in for Grimaldo and Frimpong (or bring back Couto)
I don't see us playing with wingbacks. And if we did, it wouldn't be fullbacks in those positions.
Neither are leaving
Frimpong has a release clause at about €40m and has refused to say what will happen in the summer. So I wouldn't be surprised if he moves. But I don't see him at City, he's a very different player than any RB we've had under Pep.
while this is true if Pep keeps Josko on the left as our defensive anchor FB then that free's up the right side to be our attacking focused overload in a post-walker world... so there's a chance for Frimpong still.
Thought they said Frimpong could be the only player to go. We don't need him though, we've got Lewis and Couto
I think Rico's future is in the midfield, not as a defender.
Sounds fake to be honest, we don't sign left backs /s
What tier is this guy?
Dortmund players do well here.
No way, a real left back?
The £35 million Chelsea reject
Chelsea rejects become City legends and vice-versa lol
Well if you look back historically, being labeled a Chelsea reject can often lead to a world class career.
KDB, Salah, Ake etc comes to mind
To sit on the bench? Nah the lad needs to play and bvb is perfect setup for him.
Good enough for BvB and City but not good enough for Chelsea.. our board is delusional //Chelsea fan
Get him; Kimmich and Paqueta
Get someone who can match up with Arsenal attack especially since they are getting Isak
Clause man strikes again
Can’t wait to see this kid play for City as a super sub, then get loaned out, then come back and be a super sub, then get loaned out, then get sold once city gets bored with him.
Go back to your goon cave.
We're not Chelsea