THE 93:20 NEWSLETTER:- ISSUE 59

Author

Howard Hockin
September 12, 2025

Hello, and welcome to Issue 59 of the 93:20 Newsletter. Don’t worry, this is a safe space for those of a nervous disposition, as derby day approaches at speed. No chance of me discussing that, though I would have been far more relaxed if we had gone into the game with nine points in the bag. Plenty of other stuff to discuss, as I clear up stuff from the past two weeks.

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Let’s crack on.

I wanted to talk about one aspect of the past two weeks that I haven’t yet had chance to cover, what with all the other stuff going on. So here’s a few left-field thoughts about those who left at the end of the transfer window.

Gundogan leaves once more.

My immediate thoughts, now the dust has settled can be summarised as thus: never have regrets. That applies to football or that guitar you bought during your mid-life crisis.

It was not a mistake to bring him back, more a mistake to play him every week. The mistakes were not having a squad that allowed for more sparing use, and for letting him leave in the first place.

The in-word of the last few newsletters has been “messy”, and the departure of Gundogan and much of what preceded it fits in nicely as a description. Same goes for Ederson’s departure, with no chance for a goodbye. But for Gundogan, it does not alter his legacy for me, it does not change the affection I have, and he was classy until the end. I do hope we see him back at the club in some capacity in the future, as it makes sense for the club to bring him onboard, rather than doing it out of sentimentality. He clearly has the makings of an excellent coach, and would earn the respect of all he worked with. If I was a player, I would run through brick walls for someone like Gundogan, and hang off his every word – perhaps more so than I would for the always-intense Pep Guardiola. All the best Ilkay, a true legend.

Manuel Akanji

He was the scapegoat of choice in recent times, and his loan, for pennies, seems the most pointless summer move of them all, to release a slot in the squad far too late for it to be filled (with a right-back). So what was the point? Pep given up on him, or a sign that yet again, City are looking to utilise the January window? Either way, there’s that word messy again.

Many a player can suffer by being used as a jack-of-all-trades, when the truth is that Akanji was a wonderful, good-value signing, even if it turned sour towards the end. He wasn’t suited to some of the roles he was asked to fill, and was thus slated for his performances. A shame, but again no regrets. The signings was portrayed as a panic buy for City at the time, but Akanji proved an excellent buy, and a big part of City’s recent success, and Treble-winning season. See the Champions League final for further details.

And thank whichever deity you follow, that one particular mistake at Spurs did not cost us a league title. I would have been devastated personally to have thrown away that title, but I would have felt even worse for Akanji if his error had seen a league lost. I can only imagine the treatment he would have received, and whatever you think of him as a player, he is clearly a very decent human being. All the best, once more – whilst he is only on loan, we must assume he will not play for City again.

Ederson

The desire to leave could only be under-appreciation. He could have waited a year and got a tasty signing-on fee. He has downgraded on teams. Pep did not force him out or tell him to leave – quite the opposite, the hope was that, like in previous summers, Ederson would backtrack on his desire to leave. It wasn’t to be, and another mess was created.

But ultimately, I cannot rid from my mind that the abuse he received over the summer was a crucial factor in him calling it a day – he was clearly aware of it, as was his wife. It would be naïve of him to think a few tasteless messages represented the fanbase, but it would not surprise me if it was a deciding factor. Those that sent abuse his way, got what they desired.

One additional thought – I am not claiming Ederson deserves one, but can a goalkeeper ever get a statue built for him at City? Or is it a position that will never get the player the required credit to be considered one of the greatest ever?
Still, another lifelong season ticket to be handed out, no doubt – no wonder there’s always empty seats.

Jack Grealish

I commented when Jack left that I really wanted to succeed, but the inevitable consequence of him starting well has played out exactly as we all expected. This has fed the narrative that Pep stifled him, when most blues surely recognise there was far more to it than that. Many may wish Jeremy Doku was being stifled to such an extent. It seems patronising to say it, as Everton are no small club, obviously, but they are also not competing for major trophies, and have been a club seeking redemption for decades now. They suit Jack Grealish, who perhaps did not have the mentality to push on after the Treble. This is a move for all parties, and we should be happy should he succeed. But let’s not rewrite history. It’s frustrating to think Jack could have been doing his Everton stuff in a lighter shad of blue right now, but that’s mainly on him, not Pep. One hastily-deleted tweet suggests this is something he is yet to grasp – and probably never will.

Anyway, enough football! We all know the only topic fans want to talk about these days is finance, and the legal side of things, ahem. Dramatic sigh.

Stefan’s Quote Tweet

The fallout and reaction to the APT news this week was wonderfully predictable. Some predictably tried to claim City had won nothing, some predictably claimed £90bn deals for City would follow, when we all know they are unlikely to top £25bn. Ian Herbert was naturally at the centre of the crime scene, but then Ian Herbert is a spiteful, worthless piece of s**t, so his views are irrelevant. Do you really think City agreed a deal they were not happy with? They want their improved Etihad sponsorship deal to go through, and it now will. Job done.

The funniest aspect of the fallout was the client journalists pushing the fear of the usual unnamed club executives from other clubs. Don’t like what this may mean for City’s future sponsorship deals? Boo fucking hoo. Don’t like it now you’re not in control, do you? Don’t like someone standing up to the system you helped create. Suck it up, and drink it in. It’s none of your business what deals City now do, and more to the point, there’s nothing you can do about it – and that’s what really hurts, isn’t it? Liverpool will just have to get by on the remnants of the Coutinho money and their terrorism-supporting shirt sponsors. Arsenal will have to rely on their own oil money, and sponsorship from a despotic regime. Chelsea can just sell themselves something again, sell one of their hundred players and hope their past cheating, that they have admitted to, does not result in severe sanctions. The fact they self-reported should not exclude them, considering the clear sporting advantage it provided. They’ll get a slap on the wrist, and perhaps a transfer ban, which may explain recent recruitment policy.

As for the shills in the media - it is a clear example of journalists garnering the opinions to suit their existing narratives. Do you think Miguel Delaney ever includes opinions of those questioning whether sports washing (as he has newly-defined it that week) is really a thing? I don’t need to answer that for you.

AHSAN SPEAKS THE HARD TRUTH

I’m not sure what this says about me (not complimentary, that much is true), but on the news of Ange Postecoglou being lined up for the Nottingham Forest job, I immediately envisaged a scene a year down the line, of him and Marinakis aggressively wrestling in front of a roaring fire after the latter sold Gibbs-White to City.

And if you don’t know I am referencing a film scene, don’t worry too much for my sanity.

Anyway, I think Nuno Espirito Santo has been treated despicably, so I will be referring to the club as Notts Forest from this point forward.

I GAVE AI ONE MORE GO

Considering the weekend game, I was of course as petty as humanly possible.

For the record, the weather forecast for Sunday’s game is appalling.

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO THIS WEEK

THE MARKET – RECAP

Lloyd and Ahsan unpack a complex summer in the transfer window for City. Plus, a little look forward to what happens in January.

IT’S LB SHOW:- EPISODE 2

LB is joined by Lloyd to talk wingers defensive set-ups, upcoming games, Marmoush, rivals, where the club is at – and more.

THE WEEP THAT WAS

Ste, Howard and Chris use the international break to once talk non-football matters, and discuss what makes them emotional in TV, film and music.

THE HUB:- EPISODE 45

Alex joins Bailey to discuss Premier League transfers, the issues at City last season and the signing of Donnarumma.

THE WEEKEND SHOW

In the usual packed show. Ben is joined by Howard and Lloyd to talk England. APT, preview the derby and more. The nerves have begun.

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!