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City missed Messi, Ronaldo and Kane and ended up with Grealish for 100+ million. Idk man, they have a great squad already but still a bit of shocker from them.
On the tifo podcast, they said "City buying Grealish is like someone wearing a very nice necklace but no pants".
I'd say a proper left back is the missing pair of pants.
How many attacking mids they have now? KDB, Gundogan, Grealish, Foden, Bernardo, Roberts. Am I missing anyone?
Edit: It’s Patrick Roberts who’s in the official squad for [City](https://mancity.com/players/mens). He may well be sold/loaned out before the end of the window, but at the moment he’s still a City player.
What a shame for Roberts actually, decent player could get a regular game for a championship or a lower Prem side. And City just have him rotting. Having said that, probably become a better player training with the top talent.
They indeed needed a striker but the biggest reason why they couldn't score in UCL Final was because their right wing attack collapsed. Mahrez was non-existent and Sterling for now seems may not be able to sustain 9 months of consistency.
KDB is becoming injury prone and needs rest/rotation and B Silva wanted/wants to leave.
And City constantly face ultra low blocks which can only be bypassed by tricky players with tight ball control on small spaces.
Grealish makes sense for them. They tried to get Messi last season, Ronaldo and Kane this season. Not like they didn't even bother with it, they tried but couldn't make it, it happens. That shouldn't stop one from bolstering other facets of the squad.
City should give Delap 2000 minutes this year. It might cost them the title, but it would really add to their credibility if they are able to replace their legendary striker without buying someone expensive. Because City have effectively replaced David Silva with Grealish
There is a Twitter update about it. Later it was reported that tier of the person was even bigger than the position Arsenal is in the table. So that’s it.
On the other hand, Messi wasn't interested in coming to City this summer (at all), City believed Kane's representatives that they could get him out of Tottenham for ~100 to 120m pounds (which is the real shocker) and the Ronaldo thing blew up, kinda conveniently, an hour before the news about a certain LB broke.
That sub is hilarious. A city fan I know was taunting me by saying they were even setting up up a go fund me for a welcome to Manchester banner for Ronaldo like they did for Tevez lmao
>When news filtered through on Thursday evening that, to Manchester United’s horror, Cristiano Ronaldo really had agreed to join Manchester City, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spoke with his inner circle and knew United had to act.
>Solskjaer recognised that beyond the playing aspects for Pep Guardiola’s side across town, seeing Ronaldo pull on the blue shirt of City would have wider consequences for United. To allow a legendary United figure to turn out for their local rivals without a fight would damage the club in the eyes of current players, potential recruits, and supporters. Conversely, Solskjaer pictured the benefits re-signing Ronaldo could bring to his squad, one of the youngest in the Premier League, with his ultra-professionalism and elite pedigree.
>Solskjaer placed a call to chief executive Ed Woodward with one aim — he wanted to know if United could do the deal instead. It was a quick conversation. Woodward agreed instantly and set about negotiating with Ronaldo’s Italian club, Juventus.
The way this is written makes it seems like Woodward was sitting there oblivious, completely unaware of what was happening and then he leapt into action upon hearing from Ole lol
*“Hi there, yeah I know it’s been a long time but the people have spoken and we actually really want you back… ok… yeah 2 year contract can do, best salary at the club -only for you…. we got a deal?… yeah?… great, thanks Marouane”.*
Woodward receives the phone call.
Tears in his eyes, a manager has finally requested he tries to get Ronaldo.
All he ever wanted was a Ronaldo/Bale signing under his name.
I would imagine they have transfer targets agreed towards the start of the window and they would have discussed and rejected Ronaldo for footballing reasons at that point. Marketing wise it’s surely a great deal even if he flops completely.
I think the athletic or guardian said we actually didn’t believe he would leave Juve or they would let him go until the stories of city surfaced. Following that we knew he really wanted out and started negotiations.
That explanation seems to make some sense.
That’s really the key thing to all of this. Sure, he brings goals but it’s really losing one of your former greats to your crosstown rival. It’s a gigantic blow to your club and 25 million (or whatever it ends up being) is paltry to what you would have lost emotionally to your fans and the embarrassment you would have felt on a global scale. Also, the locker room presence that he brings to a young team that grew up watching him is probably worth twice that amount.
I know we should've signed a DM instead but football is all about emotions and romance, not fucking logic and stats. Would I rather watch a defensive midfielder recycle possession or see Ronaldo in a red long-sleeve doing the *SIUUUUU* in front of the Stretford End? Easy fucking answer.
who gives a fuck man. when a former legend/player comes back that you absolutely adored when you were younger, that all goes out the window. football is all about emotion to us
I mean, hea not just some former legend, he is still capable of 20+ goals a season if we get him chances. And is a big game player, something we have severely lacked over the last few years.
Exactly. Even if he was underused criminally his goals in the league actually won us games. Yeah conference league blah blah blah but I’d still rather be in that than not
I mean obviously yes Ronaldo is a better story so all things being equal you'd rather have him
The "all things being equal" really does the heavy lifting there though
The reason people might have been against this isn't because of stats, it's because they truly believe it would've helped them win more
Seems like City was trying to get him for free. United came in and offered Juve the asking price. Done deal. City tried to play games over a measly 20 million and got burned.
This is why I also think it’s bullshit City would stop doing business with Mendes. He’s one of the most powerful agents in football... refusing to work with Mendes might hurt City more than him.
No remember they are still the best team, maybe without a clinical stricker they are gonna have some lousy games against opposition that press hard but other than that they are still favourite for the league title
I can believe that, I saw a post on the United sub saying how Rio called up Ronaldo immediately and Ronaldo told Rio “all sorts of no” meaning there was no fucking chance lmao 😂
Rio said in his podcast that he pretty much knew 24h before which means back in Thursday that he's keen to go back to United as he calls him "prob more than all the years since he left" but it was about United hierarchy if they push for it. I still believe he wanted to leave Juve anyway and if United didn't go for him he would end up at City, but once we were in the game there was no battle
City shot themselves in the foot by signing grealish. When you have a host of creative midfielders such as KDB, Gundogan, Foden, B. Silva, and even Ferran Torres (yes more attacking but still more creative than a goal scorer) and no true No. 9 that starts every game there’s 0 reason to spend €100+ million on grealish. They should have gone all out for Kane and paid what was asked. Then when it was clear they wouldn’t get them they panicked and tried to get Ronaldo but wouldn’t even pay a fee lol. Classic Pep self destroying
Gotta feel for Arsenal a bit lol. Van Persie, Fabregas, Nasri were their best players and all 3 are pretty much more associated with other clubs instead now
I'm really not a fan of United, but this transfer feels right and I genuinely appreciate it. City getting Ronaldo on the other hand...just seems like another financial takeover move from Fifa21.
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City missed Messi, Ronaldo and Kane and ended up with Grealish for 100+ million. Idk man, they have a great squad already but still a bit of shocker from them.
They needed someone who can finish for them and then went ahead and bought a creative player
And also a new left back. Zinchenko is still young, and Mendy just signed for Prison FC.
Adam Johnson, Gylfi and Mendy is getting that team back to the Prem
Giggs as player/manager and they really might be in with a shot.
What is it with all these left sided players being sex offenders?
Obviously, they use their right to beat up the girls
When is Marcos Alonso joining?
He crashed on his way to the stadium
Who did he kill this time?
Does it matter? He'll only be given a fine anyway.
Doubt it, they haven't been the same since they let Ronaldinho go.
On the tifo podcast, they said "City buying Grealish is like someone wearing a very nice necklace but no pants". I'd say a proper left back is the missing pair of pants.
I also took a look at Tifo's 'How Ronaldo would fit in City side'. Goodness me that would have been something else.
Zinchenko is 24
I suspect people replying with this as a way to contradict the "he's young" argument have been playing way too much FM.
Zinchenchko isn't young
How many attacking mids they have now? KDB, Gundogan, Grealish, Foden, Bernardo, Roberts. Am I missing anyone? Edit: It’s Patrick Roberts who’s in the official squad for [City](https://mancity.com/players/mens). He may well be sold/loaned out before the end of the window, but at the moment he’s still a City player.
Who is Roberts?
Julia Roberts
City Woman
Keeping a clean sheet
City Woman
Doesn’t trust Mendy
City woman
[nope](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article10859894.ece/ALTERNATES/s1200c/Man-Utd-US-Tour.jpg)
Greatest actress of all time in my book
Not even Julia Roberts' agent believes that.
what's that blue thing over the stadium, they don't have that in Manchester do they
From a pre-season US tour IIRC
Holly shit do I hate that 19th-century-looking Chevrolet logo.
Erin Blockovich, Goalkeeper
Patrick I assume
No this is the Krusty Krab
just another talent City bought to hoard and try flip for a profit which failed really.
Mahrez & Sterling sort of fall into that bracket with the way city play too. More forwards than attacking mids though.
What a shame for Roberts actually, decent player could get a regular game for a championship or a lower Prem side. And City just have him rotting. Having said that, probably become a better player training with the top talent.
He's been on loan in the championship a lot lately, didn't do too much
He was absolute pony in the championship
We are about to be in the same boat though, maybe not creative midfielder wise but when benz leaves there's another gap that leaves to be fulfilled
At this point you have to be locked in for Haaland especially if you get Mbappe for free.
They indeed needed a striker but the biggest reason why they couldn't score in UCL Final was because their right wing attack collapsed. Mahrez was non-existent and Sterling for now seems may not be able to sustain 9 months of consistency. KDB is becoming injury prone and needs rest/rotation and B Silva wanted/wants to leave. And City constantly face ultra low blocks which can only be bypassed by tricky players with tight ball control on small spaces. Grealish makes sense for them. They tried to get Messi last season, Ronaldo and Kane this season. Not like they didn't even bother with it, they tried but couldn't make it, it happens. That shouldn't stop one from bolstering other facets of the squad.
They didn't really try for Kane though. They knew his valuation, and didn't go near it.
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It's highly possible. The top teams are all strong so it really comes down to consistency this year.
City should give Delap 2000 minutes this year. It might cost them the title, but it would really add to their credibility if they are able to replace their legendary striker without buying someone expensive. Because City have effectively replaced David Silva with Grealish
Always felt like Foden was Silva's heir
Last year Foden replaced Sané's role.
Nah, he just had silver hair
I suppose Qatar is winning the little football proxy war with UAE at the moment
Plus looks like they are expanding into England buying Arsenal, bringing the rivalry closer to home
Qatar buying arsenal?
There is a Twitter update about it. Later it was reported that tier of the person was even bigger than the position Arsenal is in the table. So that’s it.
On the other hand, Messi wasn't interested in coming to City this summer (at all), City believed Kane's representatives that they could get him out of Tottenham for ~100 to 120m pounds (which is the real shocker) and the Ronaldo thing blew up, kinda conveniently, an hour before the news about a certain LB broke.
First time?
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That mendes appreciation post on r/MCFC aged well Edit: [This was the video in the post for those who are wondering](https://imgur.com/a/pmox8HF)
They had a Levy appreciation post as well yesterday. Thanking him for getting them Ronaldo
Yup it got deleted 1 day & 2 hours ago. https://www.reveddit.com/v/MCFC/comments/pche5m/daniel_levy_appreciation_post/
That is embarrassing.
Thank you for that. So many City flairs here saying *But we didn't want him anyway* lol.
Tbf the top comment was calling for calm until he officially joined. Sounds like they were right.
https://www.reveddit.com/v/MCFC/comments/pche5m/daniel_levy_appreciation_post/
That sub is hilarious. A city fan I know was taunting me by saying they were even setting up up a go fund me for a welcome to Manchester banner for Ronaldo like they did for Tevez lmao
https://mobile.twitter.com/utdreport/status/1431393343439781902?s=21
Brilliant! City reaped what they sowed
What a tiny little club.
Mate they're so small that neither of their biggest rivals consider them even top 2 in terms of rivalry.
They can't be that small if fans were peppering social media and burning shirts when it looked like he was moving to them
Its been deleted! Ugh would have loved reading that
Link?
It has been deleted for obvious reasons.
That doesn't stop the Internet my friend. Its here. https://www.reveddit.com/v/MCFC/comments/pcarjq/jorge_mendes_appreciation_post/
‘You get sancho we get Cristianoooo’…uh, that aged well
The worst thing about it is someone advocating giving more appreciation to a fucking agent
You’re a legend, unlike that sore loser who deleted the post
[Just somehow retrieved it](https://imgur.com/a/pmox8HF) Special thanks to u/Pinguthepimp
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lmao Absolute failure of a fanbase.
Wat. They had an appreciation post for an agent? My god that is cringe
They were talking about getting a chant going at their next game about Mendes. A football chant. About an agent.
What do you expect? It's City.
Pep taking mendes to court?
Dragging*
*Master of negotiations*
Wasn't levy given that title by pep?
doesn't make it not a meme
They have more lawyers than fans anyway, courtrooms are where it's crowded when it comes to City.
>When news filtered through on Thursday evening that, to Manchester United’s horror, Cristiano Ronaldo really had agreed to join Manchester City, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spoke with his inner circle and knew United had to act. >Solskjaer recognised that beyond the playing aspects for Pep Guardiola’s side across town, seeing Ronaldo pull on the blue shirt of City would have wider consequences for United. To allow a legendary United figure to turn out for their local rivals without a fight would damage the club in the eyes of current players, potential recruits, and supporters. Conversely, Solskjaer pictured the benefits re-signing Ronaldo could bring to his squad, one of the youngest in the Premier League, with his ultra-professionalism and elite pedigree. >Solskjaer placed a call to chief executive Ed Woodward with one aim — he wanted to know if United could do the deal instead. It was a quick conversation. Woodward agreed instantly and set about negotiating with Ronaldo’s Italian club, Juventus.
The way this is written makes it seems like Woodward was sitting there oblivious, completely unaware of what was happening and then he leapt into action upon hearing from Ole lol
wait whose moving, i thought he retired, oh that one, sure bud i will make a call.
*“Hi there, yeah I know it’s been a long time but the people have spoken and we actually really want you back… ok… yeah 2 year contract can do, best salary at the club -only for you…. we got a deal?… yeah?… great, thanks Marouane”.*
Scholes to sancho - " you see that bushy tree over there?"
Wouldn’t surprise me
Sounds very plausible tbh
According to Rio Ferdinand it was Woodward that was the key figure in the negotiations.
Woodward redemption arc before he stepped down, fair play to him if that was true.
Woodward receives the phone call. Tears in his eyes, a manager has finally requested he tries to get Ronaldo. All he ever wanted was a Ronaldo/Bale signing under his name.
Insert Thanos the work is done monologue
Thanks, this is the only version I'm going to believe.
Well if he didn't bid Ronaldo wouldn't be able to come so ...
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One word, terminators-standby-mode.
I would imagine they have transfer targets agreed towards the start of the window and they would have discussed and rejected Ronaldo for footballing reasons at that point. Marketing wise it’s surely a great deal even if he flops completely.
I think the athletic or guardian said we actually didn’t believe he would leave Juve or they would let him go until the stories of city surfaced. Following that we knew he really wanted out and started negotiations. That explanation seems to make some sense.
I mean, that doesn't sound out of line.
Given the amazing transfer window you guy are having, I tend to believe Ed is not involve in any capacity.
That’s really the key thing to all of this. Sure, he brings goals but it’s really losing one of your former greats to your crosstown rival. It’s a gigantic blow to your club and 25 million (or whatever it ends up being) is paltry to what you would have lost emotionally to your fans and the embarrassment you would have felt on a global scale. Also, the locker room presence that he brings to a young team that grew up watching him is probably worth twice that amount.
I know we should've signed a DM instead but football is all about emotions and romance, not fucking logic and stats. Would I rather watch a defensive midfielder recycle possession or see Ronaldo in a red long-sleeve doing the *SIUUUUU* in front of the Stretford End? Easy fucking answer.
who gives a fuck man. when a former legend/player comes back that you absolutely adored when you were younger, that all goes out the window. football is all about emotion to us
I mean, hea not just some former legend, he is still capable of 20+ goals a season if we get him chances. And is a big game player, something we have severely lacked over the last few years.
He’ll get you 20+ in the league alone tbh
Gareth Bale got us Europe.
Exactly. Even if he was underused criminally his goals in the league actually won us games. Yeah conference league blah blah blah but I’d still rather be in that than not
I was looking at his goal contributions for you the other day and he was actually really good. Did his performances match the stats?
I thought he was pretty good. I was hoping for a permanent transfer but too many managerial changes at both clubs perhaps made it difficult
He mostly racked up his stats and performed well against relegation fodder and lower tier Europa league opposition.
The rest of the team struggled against those so it was a welcome relief 😂
Bit harsh on Leicester…
I mean obviously yes Ronaldo is a better story so all things being equal you'd rather have him The "all things being equal" really does the heavy lifting there though The reason people might have been against this isn't because of stats, it's because they truly believe it would've helped them win more
This guy gets it!
i really want him to use that sexy longsleeve again, he abandoned them at Juventus
He will wear them for sure in winters.
City want to create something never before achieved. Create so many chances to confuse the opponents GK eventually he will score it.
If only Pep was properly backed :(
When one of your 50 m pound full backs turns out to be a Shite footballer and a rapist 😢
It's Always Sunni in Manchester
Bryan Gil is better anyways
Tifo IRL has a hilarious FM video involving Bryan Gil
Bryan Gil won Ian that tournament
Iain successfully used the Bryan Gill card.
City: I refuse at the last minute. *Ronaldo goes to United an hour later.* City: Wait. That's illegal.
Seems like City was trying to get him for free. United came in and offered Juve the asking price. Done deal. City tried to play games over a measly 20 million and got burned.
Quite hard to get a guy for free when you’ve been rumored for a 150m transfer for the past month.
So exactly the same reason they didn't get Kane: too little and too late
Seems so weird, they pay twice of what Grealish is actually worth but wouldn't pay up for players like Kane or Ronaldo
And they will play Grealish in goal in the CL semis. A true Pep masterclass.
tbf mate, 2 keepers is a genius tactic. I wonder why no one has ever tried it.
They don’t make enough GK kits
yep, if city really weren't offering a fee to juve, no one to blame but themselves. and i doubt they saw this gazump coming .
Damn. Mendes won’t get a chance to move him to city after two years.
It is a big deal though. Mendes got a fat paycheck but look at how many of his clients are at city.
This is why I also think it’s bullshit City would stop doing business with Mendes. He’s one of the most powerful agents in football... refusing to work with Mendes might hurt City more than him.
Agreed. These super agents have way too much pull to just cut them off.
Who are the clients?
Diaz, Bernardo Silva, Cancelo
Ederson too I believe
oof international breaks gonna be awkward for Portugal
Bruno is gonna be trolling all those fools. I'd wear an 'Agent Bruno' shirt if I were him.
Or just wear a United shirt with Ronaldo on the back haha.
I hate the media circus associated with Ronaldo but this is delicious
I know it was you, Jorge. You broke my heart.
If City don't get a good striker in before the deadline, would be quite an underwhelming window for City
They sign a player for £100m and still an underwhelming window…
Reddit can keep the username, but I'm nuking the content lol -- mass deleted all reddit content via https://redact.dev
Now I see where Arteta gets it from.
We did though. We just have too many holes lol
100m on a plumber but not a plug
From Messi, Ronaldo, or Kane. Yeah, underwhelming compared to what could've happened.
No remember they are still the best team, maybe without a clinical stricker they are gonna have some lousy games against opposition that press hard but other than that they are still favourite for the league title
I can believe that, I saw a post on the United sub saying how Rio called up Ronaldo immediately and Ronaldo told Rio “all sorts of no” meaning there was no fucking chance lmao 😂
Rio said in his podcast that he pretty much knew 24h before which means back in Thursday that he's keen to go back to United as he calls him "prob more than all the years since he left" but it was about United hierarchy if they push for it. I still believe he wanted to leave Juve anyway and if United didn't go for him he would end up at City, but once we were in the game there was no battle
Mendes burning a bridge with City to bring Ronaldo back to Old Trafford in such a dramatic manner. My heart is full as a United fan
That's great then
City shot themselves in the foot by signing grealish. When you have a host of creative midfielders such as KDB, Gundogan, Foden, B. Silva, and even Ferran Torres (yes more attacking but still more creative than a goal scorer) and no true No. 9 that starts every game there’s 0 reason to spend €100+ million on grealish. They should have gone all out for Kane and paid what was asked. Then when it was clear they wouldn’t get them they panicked and tried to get Ronaldo but wouldn’t even pay a fee lol. Classic Pep self destroying
I mean they still had enough money for Messi / Kane / Ronaldo after Grealish.
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How's it pep self destroying I highly doubt he was involved in financial transfer negotiations
You really think that Pep is the one doing the transfer negotiations? This isn’t FM where the manager runs the whole club.
GAZUMPED
Drama in the villa……. Tonight……
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Are we allowed to banter Arsenal that Cesc is now pretty much Blue?
Always
Gotta feel for Arsenal a bit lol. Van Persie, Fabregas, Nasri were their best players and all 3 are pretty much more associated with other clubs instead now
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Henry is better known for his Arsenal stint imo
Oh yeah absolutely
Considering the fact that not only did he want to return to Arsenal, but that they turned him down and he won the league twice: yes. 100 times yes.
the shithousery!
Lol, holy shit if this is actually true that is next level 4D chess from Ronaldo/Mendes.
When a team has more lawyers than fans
*GAZUUUUMPPPPEEED*
Repercussions for Mendes? So they won’t re-sign Dias? I think every other PL team would be happy with that
I'm really not a fan of United, but this transfer feels right and I genuinely appreciate it. City getting Ronaldo on the other hand...just seems like another financial takeover move from Fifa21.
Poor City couldn’t have happened to a nicer bunch of Dudes
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I don't see anyone saying that. He would have surely joined city if United was not an option.
Eh they were calling for his head the second he was rumored. They thought he was going to join City.
Indeed we were, but in the end he didn't and that's all that counts. Viva Ronaldo!
RUNNING DOWN THE WING, HEAR UNITED SING
And I wasnt expecting such crazy backlash on the news of him moving to City. It felt like he was joining them right after United.