THE 93:20 NEWSLETTER:- ISSUE 28

Hello, and welcome to what critics are already calling “Issue 28 of the 93:20 Newsletter”. I thought I would cover this week a familiar theme, which was exacerbated after the limp performance in Madrid, namely the reconstruction that is necessary for the City squad this summer (and beyond), and to give my own worthless opinions on who should stay, and who should go. Naturally some players will not be named, as they are obviously not in contention for an exit. Though a couple are name-checked simply because some City fans have lost their minds after a tough couple of months.

To do so, I have separated the players into certain sections, as you will see. Let us begin, with the caveat that I have given scant attention to such factors as home-grown quotas, and only a little attention to PSR. I prefer just throwing some random thoughts at you, to see what sticks.

I should also mention one overriding opinion that influences my decisions, and is scattered throughout this newsletter. The idea that City will, or should get rid of a third of the squad in one summer is absolute nonsense, and professional suicide, however poor certain players have performed. The only way you can get close to double-figure exits is with a chunk of peripheral players. Anyway, all opinions are allowed, and these are mine. 

SHOULD DEFINITELY LEAVE

Let’s get the simple admin out the way first.

Kyle Walker. 

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but it would have been best for all of he had left after the Treble was won. I didn't think so at the time though, so can hardly complain. I thought he had a role to play, but as a squad player, but he has ended up being almost ever-present, and performances have fallen off a cliff. It's an obvious one - he will not play for City again. 

Kalvin Phillips

No essay needed for this one. Gone, but finding a buyer may not be straight forward. 

Matheus Nunes.

If Pep does not trust him on the pitch, aside from a month-long stint as an auxiliary right back, then there seems little point him staying, and even less point me arguing a case for the defence. I'd keep him solely due to the hierarchy of others who need to leave and the amount of a refresh that can be done in a summer, but he's had time to win Pep over, and has failed. Now we're getting close to another Kalvin Phillips situation. Who would buy him and pay the same wages though? City would need to take a hit on the transfer fee, or another loan deal may be looming. Let's be honest, it would be no great loss if he left? His signing was a panicked mistake. 

Jack Grealish. 

I love you Jack, but your time is up. One of a few where you must decide how thin your patience has worn, whilst also wondering your difficult it may be to find a buyer. 

Now, I always rabbit on during podcasts about the importance of remembering footballers are humans. But what I feel has ultimately done for Jack is that he does not have the drive of someone like Rodri (or even half of it) to succeed, season after season after season. The treble was his sign-off. So overwhelmed was he by the collective achievement of the side, he has never recovered, nor has his liver. He has had his challenges off the pitch and is a new parent, but enough of the excuses. He has himself to blame for not kicking on, and I'm not sure City can afford to give him another season to see if he can replicate the Treble season. 

But City would have to take a huge hit, but they can afford to. Will Jack take a hit on wages? We may be left with player who may stay by default. And though he is not in the below section, a little part of me will always retain the hope that he will come good again. And he can – it is not beyond the realms of possibility, but it feels like he has annoyed Pep one time too many. He offers City “control”, but you feel football, and perhaps Pep, is evolving away from that, and ultimately a lack of application will be his downfall, which will annoy his stans.

Ilkay Gundogan

With a heavy heart, we must admit this is not a difficult decision to make. The Newcastle game gave me some brief, forlorn hope that with a decent DM behind him, there was life in the old dog yet. Freed from defensive duties, he could flourish once more. It’s probably unlikely, though there is the option of a one-year extension being triggered. I just can’t see many games next season being suitable for him, in what is increasingly a game decided by athleticism, pace and mobility. It would be a shame to lose him altogether, as he clearly has a lot to offer off the pitch once he hangs up his boots. 

SHOULD PROBABLY GO, BUT WOULD BE FINE WITH THEM STAYING

Kovacic or Bernardo 

Big conflict here, as I would go against the grain and keep them. But ultimately, City should not be keeping both, as there is little need. Both will have a year left on their contract. Both have not excelled on the pitch in recent times. Kovacic is ill-suited as a DM, but still has enough to offer as a squad player further up pitch, the sort who plays 25 games a season and won't kick up a fuss. He is however, prone to an injury. Bernardo has been trying to leave for years, but seemed to give up escaping some time ago. I do not go with the common opinion that his legs have gone, the bigger problem for me being working out why he offers so less than he used to. He doesn't play terribly, he doesn't play brilliantly, he's just existing at the moment. I think he still has something to offer though - so Kovacic is the one to go for me. Though if they both left, it would not be a disaster, but would add to the recruitment requirements. Better to stagger the exits, though retiring all the OAPs would have it benefits.

 Ederson

This comes with caveats and footnotes galore. 

He must go if he wishes to go, basically. He did last summer, and whilst my opinion over a tough season fluctuates every week, you do get the feeling he is not fully “there” right now, or committed to the cause. So important to how we play as you know, but we cannot keep a player who is not fully committed. It is surely time for change.

This however brings additional problems. Stefan Ortega hits an unfortunate sweet spot. He is too good to be a number 2 keeper at any club, but not quite good enough to be number 1 at one of Europe's best teams. And if Ederson leaves, he will want to be number 1, so buying an Ederson replacement might unsettle him once more. Bizarrely, if Ederson stays, he is less likely to be unsettled despite probably remaining as a backup. I obviously hope he stays, as number 2 and domestic cup keeper. 

James McAtee

I’m sorry, but I am not seeing it. McAtee will be 23 in October, and needs to be playing football every week. Pep saw enough to keep him in the squad, and he knows best, then presumably didn’t see enough, and clearly does not trust him to start games of note. And I can see why. I would love to see him succeed, and he is the right type of player to succeed, and ultimately, how can we truly judge him unless he gets a good run in the team? It’s a Catch 22 situation. But my personal feeling that he is just not quite good enough, sadly, to be a regular in the first team in future, unless the tribunal knocks City down a division. I want to be proved wrong, and I would of course be fine with him staying, but the player’s needs must come first, and he is wasting away at City. I don’t think it would be a decision City would regret down the line, like some others.

Kevin De Bruyne. 

Ah man. Look, I admit my heart is ruling my head here. The first step is a discussion on what he wants. If he wants to go, then I guess the decision is made on our behalf. If he wants to stay, I would let him, though his successor should be purchased this summer either way. I don't care about PSR, and I don't care that his legs may have gone too much to be used in the biggest games. With a restful summer, I still believe he has another year in him. But if I take emotion out of the equation, it’s probably time for his last hurrah, elsewhere. Damn.

As an aside, many will view FSG as penny pinching fools for not having the key players tied down on new deals, players who could now leave for free. But wages have to be taken into account, especially for players in their 30s, and the figures must add up. It's real life, not Football Manager. These are players who will often be easily swayed by one final pay day elsewhere. And much as it pains me, City’s bean counters will not be using emotion in a decision, but need to consider whether paying £300K for a bit-part player can ever be justified.

 John Stones

One of three players that makes me glad I don't have to make the big decisions at City. I think we all know the answer though. He needs to leave, but I cannot place him in the top section. The injury against Real Madrid was the final straw after the final straw that followed the final straw. There have been so many final straws, it has become an environmental issue. There are separate arguments (again) over balancing the books, and paying a huge wage for someone who rarely plays, and I'm not averse to risking keeping him, if the numbers add up. But ultimately City need a settled defence, and someone who is always returning from injury, injured or about to get injured is of little use. It pains me to say it about one of the classiest defenders to have put on a City shirt, but his injury record can no longer be ignored, or tolerated. The only other issue is who would buy him for that reason, and with another year on his contract, would City let him leave? Would he want to? He may remain by default, and perhaps the solution is for him to wear an England shirt under his City one, as he never gets injured on international duty. 

So, I know he should go, but he stays in this section. It is my heart ruling, but I would be fine with him staying. Having said that, one of our injury-prone defenders has to leave, and I cannot make a case for any of his colleague to go instead.

Speaking of which…

 WOULD KEEP, BUT WOULD ACCEPT LEAVING

Nathan Ake

Here we go again. Absolute class, and there would be no discussion to have if only his body would stop letting him down. His versatility at left back means he gets the nod over Stones. Both are versatile, but the injury record of Stones is unparalleled. I'd keep, and pray he can stay fit most the time. Just turned 30, there is a chance he can still deliver for City. Ultimately, we need Pep to accept that a bigger squad is necessary, and manage players like Ake better. That changes the narrative if so on a few players.

Consider this though. Manchester City has only had one back-four combination start five or more matches this season. Gvardiol - Dias - Akanji – Lewis. I’ll say it again. The defence needs stability. It needs players that are available to play. Some tough decisions will therefore have to be made. And let’s be brutal here – once a player hits 30, they’re probably much easier decisions to make.

CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY ARE ON ANYONE’S LIST

Manuel Akanji 

A weird one this. He obviously finds his place on some people’s lists because he has in recent times been below his usual standard. But then so have most players, and why would you get rid of someone because he hits bad form whilst being flogged, playing with an injury, to cover other injury-prone players, during a difficult season for the squad as a whole? And don’t City have enough rebuilding to do without sacrificing players like Akanji? Absolute bizarre choice to get rid of, in my opinion. Might be better at right back, might just need a damn good rest, like quite a few other players – his injury felt almost inevitable.

The only caveat? He’s no spring chicken either. But to reiterate – vast swathes of the squad cannot, and should not, be replaced in one summer. It would be a disaster, unless fans are happy to tolerate a transition season, which after a poor season, they will not be capable of dealing with.

Jeremy Doku

Shut up.

Phil Foden

There are actually City fans suggesting he is sold on social media. Phil has of course had a bad season, but…..oh, you know what, I really cannot even be arsed writing another sentence on this nonsense. Embarrassing.

Pep Guardiola – given it a bit of thought – and have decided – KEEP.

So that is five that I think should definitely leave. And at least another two elsewhere should probably be permed to leave also. And then there’s the keeper dilemma. Maybe a third of the squad was not so spurious a suggestion after all?! It will be interesting to see what the guys on the Weekend Show suggest.

As to who needs to be bought – that is a whole new article! A right-back, obviously. Another midfielder, obviously. Probably another centre-back. That will do for starters. And necessity will probably mean at least one goalkeeper. Finally - is it too late to swoop for Isco?

What We Have Been Up To This Week

https://ninetythreetwenty.com/9320-player/

THE 93:20 REVIEW:- TREBLE TROUBLE

Ste, Howard and Ahsan look back at a wonderful win v Newcastle, hattrick heroes, new blood, and more. Plus laugh at United, naturally.

REAL MADRID:- 2^ND LEG PREVIEW

Ahsan and Lloyd preview the crunch Champions League tie, plus have a little chat about the win over Newcastle and links to Florian Wirtz.

PREMIER LEAGUE:- STATE OF PLAY

Ste and Howard look at the state of play for all 20 Premier League sides. Some well-drilled sides, some less so.

THE 93:20 REVIEW:- PEP BAWL

Howard talked to Adam Monk to lament the poorest of performances in Madrid, and whether we learned anything new, plus where responsibility lay.

REF SPECIAL

Howard caught up with Chris for the latest Ref Special, wondering if refereeing is in crisis right now, and if so, how we got to this point.

THE WEEKEND SHOW

A packed show as always hosted by Ahsan, looking at the future of the squad in a similar vein to this newsletter, looking back at Madid and a huge match on the horizon v Liverpool.

If you are not a subscriber to our player shows, then enjoy some free samples of what we are about. Every show we do will have a 15 minutes sample on Soundcloud, along with a full, free weekly Friday show, jam- packed with content. Give it a try!

https://soundcloud.com/9320pod/tracks