Elaquim Mangala

[gaudy]

Is it just me or does it seem mad to be buying a defender for 45million euros to ultimately sit on the bench .
You can talk shit all day long about how he is cover for a dip in form or an injury but he's coming in as third choice.
We have to be the only club in the world that can do this.
Amazing to say the least

[BoltFromTheBlue]

I just love how much this will make the rags implode!

[sheblue]

Is it just me or does it seem mad to be buying a defender for 45million euros to ultimately sit on the bench .
You can talk shit all day long about how he is cover for a dip in form or an injury but he's coming in as third choice.
We have to be the only club in the world that can do this.
Amazing to say the least

Dont see it as a pure third choice. More like a rotation of three into two when needs be.
With MDM getting on a bit and possibly moving on now, Its a signing for real competition for places. Apart from the competition there is the the usual Kompany injury/ban/rest to think about, and then there's Mangala, quite good so far, but who knows what he will do. Its a very good signing.

[Cocacolajojo1]

Is it just me or does it seem mad to be buying a defender for 45million euros to ultimately sit on the bench .
You can talk shit all day long about how he is cover for a dip in form or an injury but he's coming in as third choice.
We have to be the only club in the world that can do this.
Amazing to say the least

If we pay that much money for him he will play and Mangala will probably have to move to the bench instead. That would be my take on it anyway.

Also see that Denayer's agent is a bit unhappy about the situation but the purchase of Otamendi could actually mean nothing in terms of playing chances if Pellegrini is going to continue to use MDM as a defensive midfielder to come on at the end of games. Denayer will get his chances this season and I'd be disappointed to see him go, unless it's on loan to a better league than the Scottish.

[mr_nool]

I think it's quite disappointing in regards to Denayer. He was introduced as a first team member during the City Live event, and what now? Another loan and then back next season as fourth choice centre back? It doesn't seem very holistic to me.

[Wooders]

I think it's quite disappointing in regards to Denayer. He was introduced as a first team member during the City Live event, and what now? Another loan and then back next season as fourth choice centre back? It doesn't seem very holistic to me.

I am dissapointed for Denayer but the real game shows he isn't quite ready yet
Also - it's not as if we've gone for any old centre back - otamendi is one of the worlds best defenders, and we can get him at a reasonable price, we can't just ignore chances like that

[sheblue]

I think it's quite disappointing in regards to Denayer. He was introduced as a first team member during the City Live event, and what now? Another loan and then back next season as fourth choice centre back? It doesn't seem very holistic to me.

But its about results, and trophies.
Denayer is a young man, he has plenty of time ahead of him, it would be very good if he went out on loan to decent side. If he is a good as most believe then he will progress and wont be a 'fourth' choice any more.

[Mike J]

I think it's quite disappointing in regards to Denayer. He was introduced as a first team member during the City Live event, and what now? Another loan and then back next season as fourth choice centre back? It doesn't seem very holistic to me.

Fucked off about it personally. Im sure Otamendi is great etc but i just think this sends out a real shit message to the young lads. Why dont we just have a bit of faith in Denayer.

[Nigels Tackle]

stones to chelsea
denayer to everton (on loan)

[iwasthere2012]

Is it just me or does it seem mad to be buying a defender for 45million euros to ultimately sit on the bench .
You can talk shit all day long about how he is cover for a dip in form or an injury but he's coming in as third choice.
We have to be the only club in the world that can do this.
Amazing to say the least

If we pay that much money for him he will play and Mangala will probably have to move to the bench instead. That would be my take on it anyway.

Also see that Denayer's agent is a bit unhappy about the situation but the purchase of Otamendi could actually mean nothing in terms of playing chances if Pellegrini is going to continue to use MDM as a defensive midfielder to come on at the end of games. Denayer will get his chances this season and I'd be disappointed to see him go, unless it's on loan to a better league than the Scottish.

I might be wrong, but I was under the impression that part of the reason this deal is going through, is because they still owe us for Negredo and that we won't actually be handing over 45m. I don't know much about him as a player but I would imagine that if he is decent then he is there as cover for either Mangala or Kompany when he eventually gets injured. I don't know what the implications are for Denayer but I don't think he was ever going to be a starter in the league anyway. i would still hope he will get game time in the cups and maybe also as sub in some league games. If he is loaned out to a Prem team, it might not be so bad for his experience either. It could still be an upgrade on the experience he gained at Celtic.
I can't see MDM being around next year and when Delph is fit I can't see the same kind of substitution being made, with MDM coming on to bolster defensive midfield.
We're only two games in and a lot can happen before the transfer window shuts. Let's wait and see what the plans are. We may well be surprised regarding Denayer and the rest of the youngsters, but I can't see Pellegrini throwing them in early in the season.

[john@staustell]

I think it's quite disappointing in regards to Denayer. He was introduced as a first team member during the City Live event, and what now? Another loan and then back next season as fourth choice centre back? It doesn't seem very holistic to me.

Fucked off about it personally. Im sure Otamendi is great etc but i just think this sends out a real shit message to the young lads. Why dont we just have a bit of faith in Denayer.

I'm just not getting it Mike - do you not want to win trophies?

The lad did well in pre-season they say. Well he did, FOR A LAD. Actually he had a bit of a mare against Real where 4 goals were scored through his space. So when Kompany is injured/suspended for Champions League semi-final do we say " Oh fuck it never mind if we lose as long as Denayer gets experience"?

Or do we just plan a bit?

If he's any good his time will come.

[nottsblue]

stones to chelsea
denayer to everton (on loan)

Good shout. Though I'd personally be reluctant to deal with Everton after the Lescott transfer

[I Just Blue Myself]

Is it just me or does it seem mad to be buying a defender for 45million euros to ultimately sit on the bench .
You can talk shit all day long about how he is cover for a dip in form or an injury but he's coming in as third choice.
We have to be the only club in the world that can do this.
Amazing to say the least

If we pay that much money for him he will play and Mangala will probably have to move to the bench instead. That would be my take on it anyway.

Mangala cost just as much. He should keep his place (in the league) unless he fucks up.

I worry that rotation might fuck up our defensive cohesiveness though, i.e. Otamendi's introduction, a random start for Clichy, Zabaleta's return. Too many of those changes could be dangerous.

[nottsblue]

Can this fella Otamendi play anyway else? Defensive midfield a la MDM or full back. Be great cover if he does. Or is he an out and out centre half. Must admit, I don't remember ever seeing him play, or if I have, I don't recall him

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

stones to chelsea
denayer to everton (on loan)

Good shout. Though I'd personally be reluctant to deal with Everton after the Lescott transfer

I'd also be reluctant to facilitate the cheating chavs in getting a player they want.

[Cocacolajojo1]

Mangala cost just as much. He should keep his place (in the league) unless he fucks up.

Yeah but he cost as much last season, which in my experience doesn't weigh over into the next season. Otamendi's being purchased now and will ahve to play in order to motivate his purchase.

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

Can this fella Otamendi play anyway else? Defensive midfield a la MDM or full back. Be great cover if he does. Or is he an out and out centre half. Must admit, I don't remember ever seeing him play, or if I have, I don't recall him

Defensive midfield.

[Nigels Tackle]

is he our first 'hipster' signing?

[Mike J]

I think it's quite disappointing in regards to Denayer. He was introduced as a first team member during the City Live event, and what now? Another loan and then back next season as fourth choice centre back? It doesn't seem very holistic to me.

Fucked off about it personally. Im sure Otamendi is great etc but i just think this sends out a real shit message to the young lads. Why dont we just have a bit of faith in Denayer.

I'm just not getting it Mike - do you not want to win trophies?

The lad did well in pre-season they say. Well he did, FOR A LAD. Actually he had a bit of a mare against Real where 4 goals were scored through his space. So when Kompany is injured/suspended for Champions League semi-final do we say " Oh fuck it never mind if we lose as long as Denayer gets experience"?

Or do we just plan a bit?

If he's any good his time will come.

Course i want the club to win trophies, i just dont think this is a signing we require. Kompany, mangala, MDM and Denayer seems sufficient enough to me. Are we ever going to give them a chance or just keep signing players. All i am saying is i would love to see the club have a bit of faith in him. He's going to make mistakes, he is young. But he will learn from them

[I Just Blue Myself]

Can this fella Otamendi play anyway else? Defensive midfield a la MDM or full back. Be great cover if he does. Or is he an out and out centre half. Must admit, I don't remember ever seeing him play, or if I have, I don't recall him

He has been deployed rather unconvincingly as a right back for Argentina at the 2010 WC.