Incoming ...

[AG7]

I'd take Sagna and Cole and move on Richards and Clichy. That'd raise a few bob and give us experienced cover whilst we wait for a couple of young lads to come through the academy.

This absolutely ... and both Sagna will be available when required and not unfit all the time ... and Cole will come in as back up when required and perform as first choice unlike Clichy at times ... Our fullback covers have been both shit this season (Richards more than shit).

[ant london]

Yes that may well be correct and if he wants to go, well let him go.
But Sagna. cant see him bringing a lot to the table.

Much as I love Micah, the only thing he has brought of late is himself to the treatment table....he doesn't want to stay, we need cover and competition for Zabba. Considering Sagna is on a free and is quality....I think we would be mad not to do this deal. He is no Maicon-signing that is for sure

[BmoreBlue]

cannot wrap my head around the fact that some don't want sagna for footballing reasons. you want to question when he and zabba had that little headbutt battle a year back and whether they can share a dressing room, fine. but sagna will be ideal cover - 48 appearances last season, which is double what we'll need him for, plus he is very solid at either RB or CB, and can do a job for two or three seasons while city decide if we have a RB in the academy.

richards turned down a contract extension - that's a fact. he wants to leave for more opportunities, and that's fine. he's made a whopping 18 appearances in the last two years - if we've seen anything, it's that he cannot be considered reliable cover for zabaleta. i'll wish him well, but let's not pretend that selling richards and adding sagna on a free for a net spend of -8m is a bad thing for the club.

[Two's Kompany]

cannot wrap my head around the fact that some don't want sagna for footballing reasons. you want to question when he and zabba had that little headbutt battle a year back and whether they can share a dressing room, fine. but sagna will be ideal cover - 48 appearances last season, which is double what we'll need him for, plus he is very solid at either RB or CB, and can do a job for two or three seasons while city decide if we have a RB in the academy.

richards turned down a contract extension - that's a fact. he wants to leave for more opportunities, and that's fine. he's made a whopping 18 appearances in the last two years - if we've seen anything, it's that he cannot be considered reliable cover for zabaleta. i'll wish him well, but let's not pretend that selling richards and adding sagna on a free for a net spend of -8m is a bad thing for the club.

Totally agree. We are not being linked with some no-mark from a lower league club, Sagna would be an excellent addition albeit just for a few years.
Zaba played a lot of matches last season and was forced to play with an injury against the Liverpool at home. Throw in the world cup and he'll basically have played around 60 games with the new campaign just weeks away!
Oh and this is a FFP signing too as he'll be on his way New York in 3 or 4 years for a few million!!!

[clippo22]

I also think Sagna would be a great signing. Not just as cover for Zaba but to push and challenge him too! He has playin at the top end of the league for a long time, and if Arsenal are trying to keep him, our title rivals are trying to steal him and clubs across Europe also want him, that says enough about his pedigree! Got a great cross on him too!

[sheblue]

If Sagna is so great why isn't wenger keeping him?

[Original Dub]

If Sagna is so great why isn't wenger keeping him?

Like vieira, henry, fabregas, rvp, flamini.....

Wenger hasn't got a breeze how to control contracts.

[Wonderwall]

If Sagna is so great why isn't wenger keeping him?

Wenger has a policy regarding players over 28 years old. unless yet are going to play for bargain basement money he wont offer contract extensions. He is a professor of economics and has some formula he works to. He could be a top manager if he didnt have them stupid economic principles

[Ted Hughes]

If Sagna is so great why isn't wenger keeping him?

Wenger has a policy regarding players over 28 years old. unless yet are going to play for bargain basement money he wont offer contract extensions. He is a professor of economics and has some formula he works to. He could be a top manager if he didnt have them stupid economic principles

And George Graham/Don Howe to organise his back 4.

[BmoreBlue]

If Sagna is so great why isn't wenger keeping him?

Wenger has a policy regarding players over 28 years old. unless yet are going to play for bargain basement money he wont offer contract extensions. He is a professor of economics and has some formula he works to. He could be a top manager if he didnt have them stupid economic principles

i believe he'll offer extensions to players over 30, but will not give more than 1 year extensions, while sagna is looking for a multiyear deal.

[Ted Hughes]

It's been a whole day since Khaldoon said we could expect swift action, & nothing has happened.

I think some of you should start panicking now, just to get the mood going.

[blues2win]

Time for Corporal Jones. Don't panic don't panic don't panic.

[AG7]

It's been a whole day since Khaldoon said we could expect swift action, & nothing has happened. I think some of you should start panicking now, just to get the mood going.

Yeah where is Khadoonometer? Why hasn't a poll been started yet?

[Bianchi on Ice]

If Sagna is so great why isn't wenger keeping him?

Wenger has a policy regarding players over 28 years old. unless yet are going to play for bargain basement money he wont offer contract extensions. He is a professor of economics and has some formula he works to. He could be a top manager if he didnt have them stupid economic principles

i believe he'll offer extensions to players over 30, but will not give more than 1 year extensions, while sagna is looking for a multiyear deal.

I happen to agree with wenger on that particular policy

[Hutch's Shoulder]

It's been a whole day since Khaldoon said we could expect swift action, & nothing has happened. I think some of you should start panicking now, just to get the mood going.

Should have been an announcement at the end if the video ;-)

[Ted Hughes]

If Sagna is so great why isn't wenger keeping him?

Wenger has a policy regarding players over 28 years old. unless yet are going to play for bargain basement money he wont offer contract extensions. He is a professor of economics and has some formula he works to. He could be a top manager if he didnt have them stupid economic principles

i believe he'll offer extensions to players over 30, but will not give more than 1 year extensions, while sagna is looking for a multiyear deal.

I happen to agree with wenger on that particular policy

Surely it should be a preference rather than an absolute ?

Most sides around the world who win stuff regularly, keep hold of a few of their veterans then perhaps go to one year deals when they are right on their last legs. Much more evidence suggests that is a winning formula as opposed to Wenger's economics.

[Bianchi on Ice]

If Sagna is so great why isn't wenger keeping him?

Wenger has a policy regarding players over 28 years old. unless yet are going to play for bargain basement money he wont offer contract extensions. He is a professor of economics and has some formula he works to. He could be a top manager if he didnt have them stupid economic principles

i believe he'll offer extensions to players over 30, but will not give more than 1 year extensions, while sagna is looking for a multiyear deal.

I happen to agree with wenger on that particular policy

Surely it should be a preference rather than an absolute ?

Most sides around the world who win stuff regularly, keep hold of a few of their veterans then perhaps go to one year deals when they are right on their last legs. Much more evidence suggests that is a winning formula as opposed to Wenger's economics.

Wengers problem hasnt been the over 30s leaving. Its been who he replaces them with, invariably younger players who arent ready to bridge that gap. In principle I agree with wengers policy that a 30-31 year old coming to the end of a contract should expect another deal if they are worthy of one but only a year, with an improved one around the corner if he does the business or is still deemed useful to the club. The balance has gone from the clubs having total hold over the players, which wasnt right, to the other way round, which isnt right either, so I think this is a solid stance to take considering if a player is signed at 22 hes had two four year deals and has a very fine level of remuneration.

[Ted Hughes]

Wengers problem hasnt been the over 30s leaving. Its been who he replaces them with, invariably younger players who arent ready to bridge that gap. In principle I agree with wengers policy that a 30-31 year old coming to the end of a contract should expect another deal if they are worthy of one but only a year, with an improved one around the corner if he does the business or is still deemed useful to the club. The balance has gone from the clubs having total hold over the players, which wasnt right, to the other way round, which isnt right either, so I think this is a solid stance to take considering if a player is signed at 22 hes had two four year deals and has a very fine level of remuneration.

You could keep the mainstays on 2 year deals if needed though.

The way I see it, in City's case for instance, if we signed, let's say Mangela & Benatia both, got rid of Demi & Lescott; both new players may struggle for one, two, three seasons. Vinny gets injured & we are out of every competition for sure, but even if he's fit, he may not have a partner.

It sometimes takes years for players to be fully comfortable. Lescott & Kolo struggled like fuck in a similar kind of back 4 to what we have now, Vinny was awful & shat himself when we first threw him in there & Crouch ate him alive. Eventually, under Mancini, they formed a great defence. Then he fucked it up rather than building a dynasty. Graham built a defensive Dynasty at Arsenal, which Wenger kept going, one change at a time. And power in midfield. Then he lost it. Now he is hoping one of those players can get it back for him; Steve Bould.

I can only remember two instant centre back successes at the top level in 40 years of watching City: Dave Watson & Keith Curle. Demi is the next nearest.

Many signings don't work. We are running well above the average right now imo. Boateng, Savic, Nastasic Jones & Smalling, average or shit for years, are more typical than Lescott & Demichelis imo.

I hope we don't chuck all our veterans away until at least some have proven replacements

[DoomMerchant]

I'd have an old drunken Pirlo here next year. Crusty old bastard.

Cheers

[Slim]

I'd have an old drunken Pirlo here next year. Crusty old bastard. Cheers

Classy player with more to offer the game. That sort of experience can be invaluable on the training ground even of he didn't get many games.