Aymeric Laporte 2018

[johnny crossan]

Off to the Fred thread then

[PrezIke]

Looking forward to him joining.

I'm not certain he will slot in automatically at LB, as Zinchenko has shown something. Now, against better squads or bigger games I think he will play there, at least whilst Delph is not fit.

He will also challenge for a CB place, especially to push Stones given his recent form dip in form since returning from injury that apparently has led some to no longer rate him again...that sure didn't take long

I think Stones will be more than fine as he was arguably our best defender before being injured, as well as orchestrating our attack. I'm off on a bit of a tangent here, but Stones was consistently good since late last season, yet it seems some have forgotten and decided to throw the baby out with the bathwater after a few games again.

Anyway, Laporte also allows Pep to play 3 at the back with a left footed CB to pair with Stones and Otamendi, which he clearly wanted to employ as a tactical option during pre-season and early this season before Vinny was unable to stay fit.

We know Sane struggled as a WB, but I'll bet Pep would feel much more comfortable putting Zinchenko in that role given what he's shown already, even possibly over Delph in some situations or games because of what he offers going forward. Laporte gives the cover needed, and as a pacey player who is known for tracking back well, he is well suited to counter attacks trying to expose our high line.

This is really a quality signing, and value for the money given that he has all of the tools to become a top class centre half and thrive in our system. He has been the U21's captain for France, and is not in the main squad because of the competition. Yet, if he thrives here -- and surely he must be thinking about making an impact this season as he will get more exposure at our club -- he can seriously improve his chances to possibly make the French WC squad.

[Saul Goodman]

Well he started out at LB for Valverde at Bilbao so id slot him in ahead of Zinchenko for sure as we saw his defensive lapses in the last few mstches

[PrezIke]

Well he started out at LB for Valverde at Bilbao so id slot him in ahead of Zinchenko for sure as we saw his defensive lapses in the last few mstches

I hear you.

I'm just saying I think that when we play against clubs that double park the bus and have practically zero interest in scoring against us Pep might favour Zinchenko over Laporte, due to his abilities going forward. Also, I think they both might play together if Pep tries his 352 again.

[Nigels Tackle]

too soon to change the title of this thread to ‘welcome....’?

[Wonderwall]

too soon to change the title of this thread to ‘welcome....’?

Wait for the shirt to be held up.with number 6 on the back

[South Stand Balti]

According to BBC sport this morning we are hopeful of concluding a deal by next Wednesday.

[Wooders]

According to BBC sport this morning we are hopeful of concluding a deal by next Wednesday.

When the window shuts....

[blues2win]

Laporte is great going forward. Oozes comfort on the ball. Can pick a really good pass. Stones better shape up.

[Original Dub]

Hopefully Otamendi can now stay on the subs bench and at the end of the season perhaps we can flog him to some idiot.

I’ve never been a fan of Otamendi but this season he has been by far our best centre back.

Stones had a good first few months and now has returned back to how he’s played his whole career. He’ll be benched if this signing goes through.

He was saying the same thing about sterling this season.

It's for a reaction I'd say.

[Original Dub]

Stones is a rolls Royce of a player but clearly one of those who takes a few games to get back to his sharpest.

He was phenomenal before his injury and he will be again.

Saying that, competition is always healthy and if Laporte is better than either of them, then he plays.

Simple stuff.

[City64]

Stones is a rolls Royce of a player but clearly one of those who takes a few games to get back to his sharpest.

He was phenomenal before his injury and he will be again.

Saying that, competition is always healthy and if Laporte is better than either of them, then he plays.

Simple stuff.

Stones has made some sunday league pub football errors of late , massive drop off in form from earlier in the season before his injury , he still tries incredibly hard though maybe he is over complicating things and trying too hard ?

[Original Dub]

Stones is a rolls Royce of a player but clearly one of those who takes a few games to get back to his sharpest.

He was phenomenal before his injury and he will be again.

Saying that, competition is always healthy and if Laporte is better than either of them, then he plays.

Simple stuff.

Stones has made some sunday league pub football errors of late , massive drop off in form from earlier in the season before his injury , he still tries incredibly hard though maybe he is over complicating things and trying too hard ?

I agree he's fucked up lately bu I largely think it's that his style of play has higher risk and higher reward, which epitomizes our style as a defensive unit.

I remember him getting some stick from the media before and pep telling them stones has the biggest balls because he recovers from these spells and regains the confidence to play the way pep wants.

As well as that, his style of play requires full sharpness and I'm allowing him the same slack I did the likes of tevez and aguero after an injury... some players take a few games to get back to their level and i think that applies to him.

Before his injury, I believe he was the best passer in the league?

[edge275]

Hopefully Otamendi can now stay on the subs bench and at the end of the season perhaps we can flog him to some idiot.

I’ve never been a fan of Otamendi but this season he has been by far our best centre back.

Stones had a good first few months and now has returned back to how he’s played his whole career. He’ll be benched if this signing goes through.

He was saying the same thing about sterling this season.

It's for a reaction I'd say.

It wasn't this season, it was during the summer based off his performances last season.

[City64]

Stones is a rolls Royce of a player but clearly one of those who takes a few games to get back to his sharpest.

He was phenomenal before his injury and he will be again.

Saying that, competition is always healthy and if Laporte is better than either of them, then he plays.

Simple stuff.

Stones has made some sunday league pub football errors of late , massive drop off in form from earlier in the season before his injury , he still tries incredibly hard though maybe he is over complicating things and trying too hard ?

I agree he's fucked up lately bu I largely think it's that his style of play has higher risk and higher reward, which epitomizes our style as a defensive unit.

I remember him getting some stick from the media before and pep telling them stones has the biggest balls because he recovers from these spells and regains the confidence to play the way pep wants.

As well as that, his style of play requires full sharpness and I'm allowing him the same slack I did the likes of tevez and aguero after an injury... some players take a few games to get back to their level and i think that applies to him.

Before his injury, I believe he was the best passer in the league?

Best defensive passer in the league ? not too sure about that one , he has good pace though . He gets caught out in one on ones then does something stupid or has done of late , needs to be calmer and more reassured in his overall play . KDB , Merlin etc , now we are talking passers of the ball exceptional world class !

[Foreverinbluedreams]

Statistically he was C64

He was right up there as one of our top performers in the opening few months.

[Beefymcfc]

Have the Rags come in and offered him a trillion quid not to join City yet?

[Dubciteh]

I dont know anything about him but i am happy to sign a centre half. Seems big money for someone with no international caps, he will be our record signing, lets hope it works out as well as peps other signings.

[Nigels Tackle]

I dont know anything about him but i am happy to sign a centre half. Seems big money for someone with no international caps, he will be our record signing, lets hope it works out as well as peps other signings.

mangala has kept him out of the french squad...

[City64]

Statistically he was C64

He was right up there as one of our top performers in the opening few months.

Side to side little passes and receiving from Ederson all very much part of peps defensive system yes . Been a pub player last few weeks needs to get back right on it ASAP.