THE 93:20 NEWSLETTER:- ISSUE 53

Author

Howard Hockin
August 15, 2025

Hello, and welcome to Issue 53 of the 93:20 Newsletter. A new season has arrived. Cue nerves, hope, expectation, frustration, grey hairs aplenty and more.

Would we have it any other way?

A reminder that the 93:20 Newsletter book is out, and is a must-read, and that there are over 20 episodes on the #9320 player from the last week alone! If you are not signed up, you really need to. Try it for a month if not sure.

I dare you to click these links. Double dare.

Anyway, a LOT to talk about, so let’s crack on.

Goalkeepers

I cannot deny it, it has been a confusing week. Ederson going is no disaster, for the numerous reasons discussed to death in recent podcasts, newsletters, message boards and more. It feels like it is time, but I would not have been too upset at him seeing out his contract, as there was much rebuilding to be done with outfield players, so this could wait, and you would hope that he would perform better than last season, a hope that could be applied to multiple players. The arrival of James Trafford only made this scenario all the more preferable. Now it seems Ederson is off again, as Galatasaray rumours return, though he did train on Thursday. I write this before Pep’s press conference, which is going to be very interested indeed.

There are two frustrations should Ederson leave in the coming fortnight, apart from the desire not to throw Trafford straight into the fray. Firstly, the timing is awful, and if he is departing for Turkey, why was it not sorted months ago? I can only assume some economic levers have been pulled to make the deal achievable again.

Secondly, Donnarumma. A divisive keeper to put it mildly. Half think he is one of the world’s best, half think he is bang average. But what is certain is he that he is not very good with his feet, which makes a potential move utterly baffling. If he does come to City, he surely comes with Pep’s blessing, and I cannot fathom why he would give it. It would require City to change the way they play, and surely that makes it a deal to be avoided? We’re not getting another keeper as good as Ederson with his feet, but I’d expect one was good and comfortable under pressure. If anyone was sure Donnarumma was generational at the goalkeeping basics, maybe it would be worth a change of approach, as it was when the generational Haaland arrived, but I am not convinced, and the stats do not back that up. He is not great at crosses, and those stats paint a mixed picture. There’s no doubt he can be world class, and his achievements speak for themselves. But he is not a complete keeper, away from distribution. It seems more an opportunistic move by City, the sort United would make, rather than a sensible one based on team needs. I am puzzled, but having Donnarumma and Trafford as your two keepers is hardly a disaster, though a penny for Trafford’s thoughts. He was so desperate, so intent on his career arc bringing him back to City that he was probably always going to sign, but I wonder what was sold to him when negotiations took place. He has time on his side to be bedded in, but Donnarumma is not coming to compete for the Number 1 spot. It’s all messy, and with City a day from the start of a season, unnecessary right now.

As for Savinho, I was very disappointed at the news he may leave. Numerous reasons have been presented by the pass, and if it was driven by him, then so be it, he should leave. If he left and Rodrygo came in, then it’s hard to complain. But my fear has always been that Savinho leaves, and is not replaced. I see little excuse for that, for not giving him time to develop further. It’s not as if City need the money, but we are in the Viana era now, and he is certainly a different beast to Txiki.
In my mind there are three levels of players at City. At each end, there are the untouchables, and those that the club are keen to sell. In the middle lies a player like Savinho (or Savio, or whatever he is calling himself today), a player that the club are happy to keep, but that has a price, and if they do not assimilate, do not show the required desire to be at the club, are available for an offer. It would be a shame if he left, because if his shooting improved, it’s a move that could come with future regrets. But swapping for Rodrygo is clearly an upgrade. A right-back would be even better, but I prefer to deal with reality. There’s more chance of united winning the league.

Jack Grealish

And so he is gone, on loan, but probably forever. Jack Grealish is the clearest example of the need to separate the man from the footballer. Rarely have I wanted a player to succeed at another club more than Jack, because I love the man, as do most of my female friends it seems. I wanted him to succeed at City so much because of that. I should not feel guilty for defending him, rather than adopting a cold, clinical approach of bemoaning his wages and transfer fee, and whether he justified it (ultimately, he did not).

And I think he will succeed at Everton, it is a good move.

But.

But. I do feel the potential impact he could have has been rather overegged, and it is based on another Pep fallacy that his many distractors are so keen to circulate. This is a move that has pretty much been painted as a man being released from prison having been jailed for twenty years due to a miscarriage of justice. Now free of the shackles imposed on him by Pep, Jack Grealish will now transform into the player everyone has in their head from his Aston Villa days, a player that never actually existed. It’s weird how Grealish could be on the same pitch as Doku (occasionally), as Doku’s free spirit allowed him to display his dribbling and pinged crosses, and people still came to the conclusion that Pep was restricting Jack. It was Pep stopping him shooting, or taking on full-backs. Everton fans are in for a huge disappointment if they believe the hype that they have signed a messiah – but as I said, he should do well, they just need to temper expectations in the meantime.

Apropos of nothing, here are a couple of random quotes.

Kingsley Coman: “My entire career I was being told I dribble too much, but when Pep Guardiola arrived at Bayern, he was the first coach in my life that told me: ‘We made the entire gameplan so that the wingers can be 1v1. It’s your job to make a difference… if you don’t, you’re out.’”

Journalist: “How was it with you, Riyad?”

Riyad Mahrez: “It’s true! That’s it. He let you have this freedom. There were so many good players around you, we had such great chemistry. It was incredible!”

And so to a new season. Prepare yourself for nine months of the following aural delights.

The co-commentary of Andy Hinchcliffe.

The following phrases ad nauseum:

“The lines are in the wrong place. It’s so corrupt, not even hiding it.”

“That would have been given/disallowed at the other end.”

“Explain to me why the SAME incident didn’t even result in a free kick in the United game last week. You can’t can you?!”

“Game’s gone.”

“Is this a library?”

“What about City?”

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO THIS WEEK

18 (EIGHTEEN) OPPOSITION FAN PODCASTS ON THE PLAYER.

EIGHTEEN!

THE MARKET SHOW X 2

In a crazy week of transfer rumours, Ahsan and Lloyd hosted Market shows on consecutive days to discuss it all. Must-listens!

FANTASY FOOTBALL SHOW

A new season means the return of Fantasy Football, and Howard chatted to Jonny Pringle about players to pick, ones to avoid, rule changes, chips, top tips and much more.

PREMIER LEAGUE SHOW

And as it is a new season, the Premier League Show returns, as Ste and Ben discuss the runners and riders.

Speaking of which…

SEASON PREDICTIONS BLOG

The 93:20 family gave their predictions for the season ahead. No doubt these will be revisited at some point!

THE HUB:- EPISODE 43

Spencer Mossman joins Bailey to discuss transfers made by the title contenders, signings that have stood out, and the holes in their squads.

NO HISTORY:- GOALKEEPERS

Howard and Joe look at some of City’s greatest goalkeepers through history.

TWENTY FOUR SHOWS.

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!