The Official Manchester City Thread

[Bredbury Blue]

Manchester Evening News today has published an article on Foden's progress compared to David Silva's and to KDB's. Though obviously very talented as a goalscoring midfield, it's of course debatable whether Foden will ever become anywhere as good as either of those two.

 

Some extracts below from the article, which illustrates Foden is on the right track and progressing as well or better than the players he hopes to replace:

"Foden is trying to break into one of the top five teams on the planet, not making his way at Watford or Bournemouth.

That means trying to displace 125-cap Spain international David Silva or Kevin De Bruyne, one of the best players in the world.

So exactly where is Foden, aged 19 years and 139 days old, compared to the two legends with whom he is competing, Silva and De Bruyne?

 

When Silva was that age, he had been farmed out on loan to Eibar in the Spanish second division – partly because he was not good enough, and partly because he was not big enough, to make the Valencia first team.

He had not made a single top-flight appearance, while Foden has already got 15 starts and 25 substitute appearances tucked under his belt.

 

It would be another 18 months before Silva was to earn his first international cap.

 

From the comments made by Southgate and others in the England camp, Foden may well have a handful of caps by the time he reaches the same age as Silva was for his international debut.

 

De Bruyne is another case in point.

At Foden’s age, De Bruyne had made 20 league starts and 16 as substitute for Genk, in the Belgian top flight.

 

That is more starts, but four appearances less in total – and that in a league which cannot compare with the Premier League, and for a club with none of City’s wealth and power.

 

In terms of internationals, De Bruyne picked up his first Belgium cap relatively early – he was 19 years and 44 days old when he was given a half in friendly against Finland.

But he did not play for them again for another 15 months, and played his first full game for the Red Devils when he was 21 years and 110 days.

 

Foden still has nearly two years to beat that particular mark, and given that he is expected to step up his City minutes this season, and is earmarked to step into Silva’s boots when Merlin retires next summer, that is almost a given.

 

A given, that is, as long as Foden keeps listening to Guardiola and not the howls of the impatience from outside the camp."

 

[jellydog]

Rodri and Fernandinho at centreback?

[jellydog]

14 minutes ago, jellydog said:

Rodri and Fernandinho at centreback?

Well, maybe not quite. Three in the back with Fernandinho in the middle.

 

Sporting the wonderful popsicle stick kit today.

[mrbojangles]

17 minutes ago, jellydog said:

Rodri and Fernandinho at centreback?

Pep had to come up with something to dump Otamendi I suppose

 

Let's just hope it's a genius move

[Kadilo]

12 minutes ago, jellydog said:

 

 

Sporting the wonderful popsicle stick kit today.

Struth that’s an awful kit. 

 

They way way this has started I’m going 4-0

[jellydog]

11 minutes ago, jellydog said:

Well, maybe not quite. Three in the back with Fernandinho in the middle.

 

Sporting the wonderful popsicle stick kit today.

I'm thinking that might be the worst kit I have ever seen (and there is plenty of competition).

[mrbojangles]

40 minutes ago, jellydog said:

I'm thinking that might be the worst kit I have ever seen (and there is plenty of competition).

I thought the same at first but Its actually quite nice in real life TBH.

[jellydog]

4 minutes ago, mrbojangles said:

I thought the same at first but Its actually quite nice in real life TBH.

You're not in London are you MrB?

 

City looking very frisky today!!

[mrbojangles]

9 minutes ago, jellydog said:

You're not in London are you MrB?

 

No bud. I'll be going back in a couple/few weeks. Just trying to make sure my business meeting coincide with a City match ????

[jellydog]

That's more like it. City on the front foot today and convincing. Could have been 4 or 5-0, but Ederson made some nice saves as well. On today's performance I'd prefer Cancelo at right back rather than Walker. Just no comparison between the two as regards attacking talent. Looks like the back 3 worked today. It'll be interesting to see if Pep has a back three in mind from here on out.

[mrbojangles]

47 minutes ago, jellydog said:

That's more like it. City on the front foot today and convincing. Could have been 4 or 5-0, but Ederson made some nice saves as well. On today's performance I'd prefer Cancelo at right back rather than Walker. Just no comparison between the two as regards attacking talent. Looks like the back 3 worked today. It'll be interesting to see if Pep has a back three in mind from here on out.

Agree with that mate.

 

I think Pep showed again how he can think outside the box putting together that back line. Happy with Mendy's contribution today as well. As for Ederson. He's showing that if not the best, he's one of the best goalies in the prem. Saves, positioning, calmness under pressure and distribution are top drawer.

 

Sterling's little dink over the top for Silva's goal was sublime but he let himself down with his finishing several times today. Jesus also not squaring it to KdB for a simple tap in was a tad infuriating but I maybe over critical. All in all, happy with the result

[Bredbury Blue]

18 hours ago, mrbojangles said:

I thought the same at first but Its actually quite nice in real life TBH.

One only us colour-blind folk love (and i LUV it!).

 

 

[Bredbury Blue]

What a cracking  game, really enjoyed  it. 

 

Feared the worst when i saw our centreback-less team (longterm injury Laporte, Otamendi injured, Walker sick for 2 weeks - not sure i believe that - and Stones just coming back from injury) plus newbie Cancelo and serial crock Mendy but we played really really well, should have scored alot more (ex-blue & Terry Hennessey's relo was excellent and kept them alive) but how important  were Ederson's awesome saves.

 

Ederson had to be our MOM for his 2 saves.

Cancelo looks a footballer, right or left, and with Walker we should be back to the days of Micah and Zaba competiting and pushing  each other.

Thought Mendy had a very decent game considering how he rarely plays.

Fernandinho was excellent and the pick of the defenders (had a funny 5 minutes though after the bang  on the head)

Rodri did well in his first ever CB game, but he got lucky at times.

Gundogan kept things ticking over but nothing too exiting. 

KdB. Is it only me that thinks he's too unfit to play a 90 minutes properly. Does some wonderful things but runs out of steam, can't tackle, can't  head it.

Brilliant finish  from Silva to be possibly my favourite goal this season - fantasy football that 2nd goal. Couldn't understand why he took Silva off who was causing  them loads of problems  and left on a tiring KDB.

Bernardo was tidy and had a good battle with van Anholt (spelling); better from him than of late; excellent cross for the first and almost scored himself. 

Jesus was excellent all game. Busy, effective and deserved his goal.

Sterling. One minute brilliant  next minute clown. Brilliant dinked pass for the 2nd but how did he miss his chance. Always involved though.

 

If Jesus had passed to KdB we'd have put it to bed early and not had to rely  on Ederson's brilliance.

 

[jellydog]

18 wins in a row still the record.

[Bredbury Blue]

12 hours ago, jellydog said:

18 wins in a row still the record.

 

 

[mrbojangles]

Bladdy hell. Now Rodri out with a hammy

[jellydog]

38 minutes ago, mrbojangles said:

Bladdy hell. Now Rodri out with a hammy

I reckon we'll see Fernandinho back as a DM and Stones/Otamendi getting more time. Hopefully Rodri won't miss much time!

[jellydog]

5-1. Sterling with a hat trick. 69 minutes in.

[jellydog]

When did Stones get that shiner? Nice one.

[owl sees all]

Well, it's nice to see that after the w/e's games the EPL is now City's to lose. First time since nearly the start. 

 

Just have to keep an eye on that goal difference and beat Liverpool away (10th Nov) and home (4th April) and it's the hat-trick. No need to thrash teams; just 3 goals a game will do it.

 

City should win the last 6 games (after the red game) comfortably enough.

[BangrakBob]

1 hour ago, owl sees all said:

Well, it's nice to see that after the w/e's games the EPL is now City's to lose. First time since nearly the start. 

 

Just have to keep an eye on that goal difference and beat Liverpool away (10th Nov) and home (4th April) and it's the hat-trick. No need to thrash teams; just 3 goals a game will do it.

 

City should win the last 6 games (after the red game) comfortably enough.

You need to look at the games played against who and when also. 

 

Liverpool will have played 4 of the supposed top 6 (and Leicester who are looking decent) by next week and at the moment only dropped 2 points.  City have only played Spurs and drew and the rest have been bottom half clubs. 

City still need to play 11 games of the top 6 (including Leicester) from Nov to March, 4 of those are away matches in the NY. This is also around big matches in the CL. 

 

[Bredbury Blue]

We started the game badly, we were flat, couldn't string passes together, looked like a team of strangers and they were the better team. Wasn't surprised when they opened the scoring but didn't expect it to be through a penalty. We only seemed to come awake after they scored, and after we levelled they fell apart as we (Sterling) cut through them.

- Ederson excellent  again.

- Wasn't impressed by Walker or Mendy, probably affected by playing in a new back 4 and the tactic of transitioning from a 4 to a 3 when Rodri moved forward  in to midfield and they dropped back.

- Gundogan was excellent: the pace of european football suits him more than any other City player.

- KdB frustrated me. Seems a bit one dimensional at times (early cross every time). Bit soft. Moans too much. Wasn't surprised when he was subbed. Hoping he's  not becoming  a prima donna.

- Foden impressed me. One of his best games. Didn't think his indiscretions deserved 2 yellows, but if they did then why wasn't the ref consistent and why didn't  he book others for similar minor fouls?

- Mahrez ineffective first half but once the game opened up contributed to 2 goals and looked very comfortable.

- Aguero scored 2 should have had more. Quietly effective.

- Sterling = UNPLAYABLE by their defence, cut through them time and time again and should have scored 4.

<deleted> off to see Rodri, who I'm loving  watching, probably out with a hammie for a month, along with Zinchenko with a knee injury. Having our share of injury-knack but are doing a decent job of getting through it.

 

[owl sees all]

10 minutes ago, BangrakBob said:

You need to look at the games played against who and when also. 

 

Liverpool will have played 4 of the supposed top 6 (and Leicester who are looking decent) by next week and at the moment only dropped 2 points.  City have only played Spurs and drew and the rest have been bottom half clubs. 

City still need to play 11 games of the top 6 (including Leicester) from Nov to March, 4 of those are away matches in the NY. This is also around big matches in the CL. 

 

Yes, good points. The Reds are still in the driving seat. The bookies (punters) have Liverpool as favourites; just. Of course The Reds might streak away, but City would have to drop points. I'm pointing out that City could now catch Liverpool; and indeed pass them depending upon goals scored, and assuming they win the two matches.

[mrbojangles]

17 hours ago, jellydog said:

When did Stones get that shiner? Nice one.

Picked it up in the game against Palace at the weekend. Think he was only on for 10 minutes

[jellydog]

Pep quoted as saying Foden is nowhere near the level of KDB or Gundogan. I am sure that is true regarding KDB and maybe less so regarding Gundogan, but why say that?  I suppose Pep gets tired of the relentless questions about Foden not getting more time, but I'd hope he could refrain from appearing to criticize Foden. I'd like to see Foden get more time but it doesn't look like its going to happen anytime soon.

[Bredbury Blue]

Phil Foden created four (4)‘big chances’ in the Atalanta match – the most created by any player in Champions League since 2015.

He also completed 36 passes with a 94% accuracy during his 82 minutes on the field.

[Bredbury Blue]

Team tomorrow will be Ederson, Gundogan, Sterling and 8 others.

 

Be interesting to see:

- Does Pep trust and play BOTH Stones and Otamendi or one of them with Fernandinho?

- Does Pep play his favourite Gundogan or Fernandinho in Rodri's position?

- Will Mendy start his 3rd game in a week or will Pep start Cancelo (or Angelino)?

 

Seems that Liverpool play pretty much the same 11 while we chop n change (injuries playing a part); second-guessing Pep's selection is almost impossible.

 

[Bredbury Blue]

Phil Foden has been recognised in the latest edition of the Guinness World Records book.

Phil Foden was awarded with the youngest player to ever win the Premier League, at 17 years and 350 days.

In the 2017/18 season, where he achieved the record, he appeared in his fifth game in City’s final game of the season, where they secured 100 points.

 

I can hear Alfie spitting his dummy. ????

 

[Bredbury Blue]

Zinchenko the latest to undergo a knee operation, in Barcelona. Club haven't announced yet the extent of his injury.

[jellydog]

Last I heard Zinchenko out 5-6 weeks and Rodri a few weeks with his hammy. This looks like a season  to be blighted by injuries.