Since this is probably the most optimistic season has City has had in almost 30 or 40 years, I was curious where others really think we will be a few years down the road. We definately have the youngest squad in the Premiership (more than half of our squad is under 23 years old) and the future is where we should really be looking. With players like Bojinov and Nery Castillo coming back and our current class players like Michael Johnson, Nedum Onuoha, and Micah Richards maturing and learning more about the game, we can only be growing in strength. We have only abou 17 games left in the year and we are already serious contenders for the European spot. In two years we could even be challenging for the title. I'm hoping to see a real potent squad with formations like: Schmeichel Onuoha--Richards--Dunne--Garrido Johnson--Corluka Elano------------Petrov Benjani--Castillo Subs/Rotated Players: Hart Ball Vassell Bojinov Ireland Geovanni To be totally honest, this looks like a title challenging squad, especially with the growth of all of these players. (Corluka is already performing in his first year in England, think about 2 or 3 years down the road) Does anyone honestly think we can challenge for the English title, or even the UEFA Cup? (I know it's a big dream, but wasn't the title just a big dream about 2 years ago?)
We show immense promise for a fabulous future. The current squad, our young players and the academy gives us everything to look forward to. Coupled with stable management and the money to buy, if needed, the building blocks are in firmly place. Look back three or four years, did we have such luxuries? The only thing we can say about those wunderlust years - we kept the faith and believed that better times were round the corner. That's what belonging to City is all about.
I still think Hart will end up a better keeper than Kasper. Hart has been nothing short of fantastic. One of the best keepers in England.
Yeah but remember that Kasper is the son of Peter Schmeichel and we all know how good Schmeichel was. He gave us the beautiful 3-1 derby win a couple years ago and I honestly think the skill runs in their blood. Joe Hart has been impressing me also, he's only 20 and he has been keeping the ball out of the net like a world class keeper. I think Sven might look for an opportunity to sell one of the two. Both have proved themselves. I'm looking most forward to Danny Sturridge, now he will be class. Can you say the next Jermaine Defoe? We may have forward problems right now, but in the future...we will be lethal. Hopefully Benjani wants to stay at City though, it would be a shame to lose him with the form he is in right now.
Also, I don't think Benjani is thinking about moving...on soccernet near the end of the article Benjani said that he actually was happy that City showed him so much respect. He said he was surprised that Sven would actually travel all the way from Manchester to London on the last day of the transfer window to ensure Benjani's papers were in order and he had asked Benjani personally three times if he really wanted to make the move. He said he was happy at Portsmouth and felt like he was in a bad dream when he was rushed off to Manchester, but any player would feel that way when they are the top goalscorer for their team and they feel their position in the club is secure. After scoring with City, I think he will learn to adapt to life in Manchester, because he even said, a few days before the derby, "Maybe the move is a blessing in disguise...a fresh start."
Hart is better than Kasper (more height, more consistent). We got a super young squad in all positions. I think a couple of years down the road when these kids mature and Sven got the whole team gelled together, we should be challenging for the title.
Not too big a fan of that squad. Either you're playing it for the future, or beyond which Castillo will not likely be with us or Geovanni. Benjani will only be here until he's 31, so we'll probably find another top flight striker by then. (Esp. if we make UEFA Cup) I can't imagine playing Elano on the Right wing, its a waste of his vision. He should be linking up with Johnson in the middle. If you want Corluka as a DM that could work, but I see Richards as a better DM in the long run (but with his speed, he could go on the right back spot as well) Hart is better than Schmeichel right now... 2 years from now its a toss-up. Whoever gets more experience and confidence. Hold on to both and Loan 1 out to a big club for more exp. We need a Right footed Petrov and then would have flexibility to play 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 and make it work. Ireland is good, but he's not a long term solution there if we want to challenge for Champions League.
Honestly, Schmeichel and Hart are equals in my mind. I actually like Hart more right now because of his form for this year, but I can't help but think that Schmeichel will be the real deal in the future. He's the son of the legendary Peter and I just can't help but think he will one of the best keepers in Europe. Also, I think Castillo will be with us for quite awhile. People have all told me that they think he is probably one of the best players they have ever seen. Sven seems to like him a lot and admires his style of play and I think Nery will find himself in a comfortable place with Elano beside him (switch Benjani and Nery's positions). I do agree with you about Benjani though. Unless he continues to shine and be one of the top performers in the league for years to come, I can't seem him staying first team for very long. Perhaps Bojinov would have fit better in his place (he is only 21 and is considered one of the best strikers out of Bulgaria, that has to say something).
"One of the best strikes out of Bulgaria, That has to say something" Last time i checked Bulgaria weren't known for their attacking depth They have Berbatov and .. ?
Look at what Berbatov has done though since coming to England. They may have weak striking reputation, but I don't think Bojinov will dissappoint. He scored a goal coming on as a sub right after injury, that's usually a pretty good indicator of a star (especially an up and coming one). Also, I think in time Michael Johnson will become a key player for City also. Liverpool wanted to buy him and Sven supposedly said they would have to give City Steven Gerrard before he would give up Johnson. Joey Barton even said Michael would shine as a player (even though a lot of people don't particularly like Barton much any more).
I really rate Bojinov and think he will be a star of the future, but apart from Berbatov they really don't have any certifiable striking stars. Micheal Johnson is the key to this team, if he continues growing at the rate of knots he is or was prior to his injury, we will be playing Champions League football in the next 5 years.
5 years? Nah, I think that's too long. As ambitious a team as City is, 2-3 years we'll make it to CL.
Dunnie would certainly like to get a shot at the CL, as would our other 'older' (ie over 25's!!!) players. It'll certainly be within the realms of possibility given the team that SGE is building up.
Man City has incredible potential in Felipe Caicedo. He'll be but a waste of a lot of money and talent if not used!
With all that Sven has done in less than a year, I think we will be more than just participants in the CL. Heis one of the most respected managers to date and with Shinawatra willing to fork over the money, Sven has all the freedom to build a worthwhile team (especially with his infamous scouts who seem to find some of the best players who are practically shadowed by anonymity.) He found Corluka, who is doing superb right now and he has only played in Croatia. That's just one player he scouted that more than impressed. Elano also brought the heat in the beginning of the year, and announcers seem to love Petrov (quoting one, "What do they put in the water in Bulgaria?"). Honestly, I think Sven is the key overall to City's success. If he can take City from a struggling mid table team to a top four (not to mention first manager to take the derby double in some 30 years) team in less than 8 months, think of two to three years. If we continue down this same path, City will be one of those feared teams throughout Europe and the world (that's IF we keep growing and Sven keeps making all the right moves).