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Despite the original Hector coming to a sticky end at the hands of a rather ruthless Greek, the Hector Bellerin rumours won't go away.



They were bubbling around in the summer.and are still bubbling:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... indow.html

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/ ... er-8873064?

No doubt fueled by the efforts of his agent and a little tapping up by our new friend Michael Arteta.

That Pep-biographer and notorious self-promoter Guillem Balague identifies 2 problems for Pep -

1) Lack of 3 top players up front like Messi, Suarez, Neymar, Ronaldo - or any of - to work with Aguero
2) Both full back positions. It's fair to say all are on the downward spiral of their career, although Kolarov has found a new and probably longer outlet as a CB. Clichy is easily the worst fit for Pep, and over the hill, Zaba would've been superb for him 5 years ago and Sagna, despite still being a top level player, is also well over 30 and doesn't 'bomb on' in the traditional Guardiola way

Maffeo is adequate - Pep has had a look but not kept him in the squad (I think ?). Angelino I don't know - I think he's OK going forward but again Pep prefers Clichy and Kolarov at LB - which must say something. Maybe he'll be in next year or in the League Cup - whatever it is called these days.

Which brings us back to Hector. To be honest I've always been pretty impressed with him. He's got to be a 'Pep-type' player? Given Arsenal's tendency to lose decent players for the lure of cash, Arteta's tapping up and Pep's personal persuasion we may make them an offer they can't refuse in January, or almost certainly in July:



What do people think??

good player and fucking rapid as well
presumably he counts as homegrown?

Nigels Tackle wrote:good player and fucking rapid as well
presumably he counts as homegrown?

Still very young. I guess so but those rules mystify me.

Doesn't suit Pep's style though with the tucking in fullbacks. He likes the bomb forward. Saying that, Peplingtons will probably play him upfront..

Next summer we will see a fullback overhaul.

Nigels Tackle wrote:good player and fucking rapid as well
presumably he counts as homegrown?

Yep.

Mase wrote:Doesn't suit Pep's style though with the tucking in fullbacks. He likes the bomb forward. Saying that, Peplingtons will probably play him upfront..

I don't think his style is set in stone, he seems to constantly tweak, adapt, innovate.

What's different now is that Barca and us are sniffing, and it's thought he will prefer us.
That would have been unthinkable even a year ago, it was still when Real and Barca come calling you may as well give up.
Even the rags in their pomp accepted that!
Amazing.

patrickblue wrote:What's different now is that Barca and us are sniffing, and it's thought he will prefer us.
That would have been unthinkable even a year ago, it was still when Real and Barca come calling you may as well give up.
Even the rags in their pomp accepted that!
Amazing.

They did and it's why I used to tell my rag mate that they can't be considered the biggest club in the world if that's the attitude they have, safe to say that didn't sit comfortably with him.

patrickblue wrote:What's different now is that Barca and us are sniffing, and it's thought he will prefer us.
That would have been unthinkable even a year ago, it was still when Real and Barca come calling you may as well give up.
Even the rags in their pomp accepted that!
Amazing.

Already happened this summer with Nolito choosing us over Barca! Crazy times!!

Just discovered that Maffeo is actually in the squad for tomorrow, along with Diaz

http://www.mcfcwatch.com/2016/09/20/cou ... ity-debut/?

Mase wrote:

patrickblue wrote:What's different now is that Barca and us are sniffing, and it's thought he will prefer us.
That would have been unthinkable even a year ago, it was still when Real and Barca come calling you may as well give up.
Even the rags in their pomp accepted that!
Amazing.

Already happened this summer with Nolito choosing us over Barca! Crazy times!!

he probably chose playing time and a better chance to start over sitting on the bench 90% of the time.

phips wrote:

Mase wrote:

patrickblue wrote:What's different now is that Barca and us are sniffing, and it's thought he will prefer us.
That would have been unthinkable even a year ago, it was still when Real and Barca come calling you may as well give up.
Even the rags in their pomp accepted that!
Amazing.

Already happened this summer with Nolito choosing us over Barca! Crazy times!!

he probably chose playing time and a better chance to start over sitting on the bench 90% of the time.

he fancied having a Pep in his step.

Mase wrote:

patrickblue wrote:What's different now is that Barca and us are sniffing, and it's thought he will prefer us.
That would have been unthinkable even a year ago, it was still when Real and Barca come calling you may as well give up.
Even the rags in their pomp accepted that!
Amazing.

Already happened this summer with Nolito choosing us over Barca! Crazy times!!

Bravo said Barca tried everything to persuade him to stay, too.

iwasthere2012 wrote:

phips wrote:

Mase wrote:

patrickblue wrote:What's different now is that Barca and us are sniffing, and it's thought he will prefer us.
That would have been unthinkable even a year ago, it was still when Real and Barca come calling you may as well give up.
Even the rags in their pomp accepted that!
Amazing.

Already happened this summer with Nolito choosing us over Barca! Crazy times!!

he probably chose playing time and a better chance to start over sitting on the bench 90% of the time.

he fancied having a Pep in his step.

this is true too. so yeah Pep + playing time.

“I thought it was the best decision for me and my career. I have come to the Premier League to play with City and under Pep Guardiola, who will play me in the first team, and I am very happy with the decision I took."

"I have had luck to play with [Lionel] Messi a bit but what I want in life is to enjoy my football, play football and be happy. I took the decision. I was fortunate to play in Barcelona, although not much in the first team, and now I am excited about playing at City and I will try to do great things here.”

let's no get so delusional as to think that big name players will choose City over Barca yet. Bravo & Nolito both did it for playing time and for Pep. but if either of them would've been a starter at Barca they'd be there. this isn't a bad thing. its not a shame to "lose out" to the best club in the world right now.

Would be a great addition to our depth, but I can't help but think he's just a shit Kolarov.

phips wrote:

iwasthere2012 wrote:

phips wrote:

Mase wrote:

patrickblue wrote:What's different now is that Barca and us are sniffing, and it's thought he will prefer us.
That would have been unthinkable even a year ago, it was still when Real and Barca come calling you may as well give up.
Even the rags in their pomp accepted that!
Amazing.

Already happened this summer with Nolito choosing us over Barca! Crazy times!!

he probably chose playing time and a better chance to start over sitting on the bench 90% of the time.

he fancied having a Pep in his step.

this is true too. so yeah Pep + playing time.

“I thought it was the best decision for me and my career. I have come to the Premier League to play with City and under Pep Guardiola, who will play me in the first team, and I am very happy with the decision I took."

"I have had luck to play with [Lionel] Messi a bit but what I want in life is to enjoy my football, play football and be happy. I took the decision. I was fortunate to play in Barcelona, although not much in the first team, and now I am excited about playing at City and I will try to do great things here.”

let's no get so delusional as to think that big name players will choose City over Barca yet. Bravo & Nolito both did it for playing time and for Pep. but if either of them would've been a starter at Barca they'd be there. this isn't a bad thing. its not a shame to "lose out" to the best club in the world right now.

Steady on, Phips old chap.

City are the "best club" in the world...period.

phips wrote:

iwasthere2012 wrote:

phips wrote:

Mase wrote:

patrickblue wrote:What's different now is that Barca and us are sniffing, and it's thought he will prefer us.
That would have been unthinkable even a year ago, it was still when Real and Barca come calling you may as well give up.
Even the rags in their pomp accepted that!
Amazing.

Already happened this summer with Nolito choosing us over Barca! Crazy times!!

he probably chose playing time and a better chance to start over sitting on the bench 90% of the time.

he fancied having a Pep in his step.

this is true too. so yeah Pep + playing time.

“I thought it was the best decision for me and my career. I have come to the Premier League to play with City and under Pep Guardiola, who will play me in the first team, and I am very happy with the decision I took."

"I have had luck to play with [Lionel] Messi a bit but what I want in life is to enjoy my football, play football and be happy. I took the decision. I was fortunate to play in Barcelona, although not much in the first team, and now I am excited about playing at City and I will try to do great things here.”

let's no get so delusional as to think that big name players will choose City over Barca yet. Bravo & Nolito both did it for playing time and for Pep. but if either of them would've been a starter at Barca they'd be there. this isn't a bad thing. its not a shame to "lose out" to the best club in the world right now.

Jesus.

Meanwhile - over on the left back side:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/ ... la-8882063?

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola jets to Portugal to watch Benfica full-back Alex Grimaldo

The Spanish defender joined the Portuguese giants in January from Barcelona and City are in the market for a long-term left-back

Pep Guardiola flew to Portugal on Monday to scout Benfica defender Alex Grimaldo.

The Manchester City chief wants a new left-back for next season because Aleksandar Kolarov and Gael Clichy are both 30 or over.

Guardiola watched Grimaldo with his agent brother Pere during Benfica's win over Braga and knows his fellow Spaniard from his time as Barcelona boss.

Grimaldo, 21, joined Barca from his hometown club Valencia as a 13-year-old in 2008 and progressed through the club's youth ranks

He became the youngest player ever to appear in a Spanish second division game in 2011 when he appeared for Barcelona B aged 15 years and 349 days.

The Spanish Under-21 international found his path blocked at the Nou Camp and joined Benfica in January for €1.5million, signing a contract until 2021.

He has shone for the Portuguese champions this year and has caught Guardiola's eye

Was just abou to post that John.

Makes you wonder where this would leave Maffeo and Angelino if these two were to come in.