With Carlos' days numbered in Manchester, who should be our 4th striker? Do we have anyone in the academy setup that is far enough along to make the bench/play in big games? Would have been great if sturridge didn't think he deserved £80,000 a week a few years ago. Should we go out and get an up an coming player, With Silva, Toure, Nasri do we need a 4th striker or can one of them fill that role?
John Guidetti, an academy product signed at 16 or so and who is now 19 and has progressed well. 4 goals in 5 games for Feyenoord on loan, all penalties but he's playing well. Arsenal scouts went to look at him and told Wenger to make an offer to us for him! We have three very good prospects at reserve/youth level: Harry Bunn (18), Jordi Hiwula (17), and Devante Cole (16, son of Andy) - but I don't think any are ready though Bunn scores a lot and may go out on loan once we finish up our disappointing NextGen campaign. We also have Luca Scapuzzi who we signed in the summer who is 20 and a bit of an enigma as no one knows much about him. Still rumours of Van Persie but I don't know how we could fit in a fourth big name striker, three seems the right balance to me.
Luca bagged three assists (too bad about the fourth goal, should have really been given to him but alas, the rules) in his first real full debut midweek. He, like many on the field, was not perfect but he played very well and nearly had a beautiful goal that made the Wolves defense look pub league (if he had put the spin-shot on target it would have certainly been a goal). He is coming back from a fairly serious knee injury while he was at Milan (one of the reasons they released him) and is just now getting back into form. Mancini spotted him awhile ago and we all know Roberto's eye for talent. We'll see how he progresses but he has a Pizzaro or Klose style to him that I think would bring something different to our striker core. He is also young and willing to wait for his chances which, as you said, is exactly what we need in a 4th choice (RVP would eventually be a Dutch Tevez if he didn't get playing time). We'll see how Guidetti comes along but I think he may turn into another Sturridge. Right now my eye is on Scapuzzi and Bunn.
Yaya isn't a striker though. We need a player, i'd bring through one of the young guys or buy someone whose young to bring in slowly while having Mario, Dzeko and Aguero taking the bulk of a the minutes. Wouldn't bring in Van Persie, he's great, just i don't know if that is what we need.
What about someone from the other end of the age spectrum -- in the mold of Vieira, someone with a winning background (Champions Leauge experience a plus) who's nearing the end of his career and would be happy to come on as a sub or for an occasional domestic cup/league start. Someone like Owen, but not Owen.
City is top of the league now, with schedule congestion, possibly burnout and injuries the team needs someone who can go in and contribute right away. Therefore not sure if some youth player can cut it. I do have to ask whether or not Mancini needs a true 4th striker with the system he has been using. You can potentially use three of Silva, Johnson, Kun, Dzeko, Mario and Nasri.
Harry Bunn's worldy in his first start on loan at Rochdale. [ame]http://rutube.ru/tracks/4991990.html?v=43426e87663d262d3d4cd43b67c178bc[/ame] And Scapuzzi scoring on loan at Oldham. [ame]http://rutube.ru/tracks/4991986.html?v=0065c5ee22c94f4b7bfbf3b837b35bde[/ame] Lots of young talent at this club.
2 goals and 1 assist for Feyenoord today for John Guidetti, making it 6 goals in 8 games for him. 4 penalties before today (both goals from open play today) but his overall performances have been good and Arsenal scouts recommended Wenger make a bid for him. He has just had a short injury but is back now. If we keep the cheque-book closed, likely to be our #4 striker next season.
John Guidetti now has 8 goals and 3 assists in 9 games, as a gunners fan i wouldn't mind him on transfer, he's top class and could definately perform in the PL as well
Yeah, Guidetti is looking fantastic and Mancini, after complaining about how the club let Sturridge go before he arrived, needs to ensure he personally avoids the same mistake with John as Guidetti is every bit as good as Sturridge was at the age of 19 and is a real powerhouse striker like Balotelli. We only have 3 strikers at the moment compared to like 7 at United (Rooney, Berbatov, Hernandez, Owen, Diouf, Macheda, Welbeck). Guidetti and Scapuzzi back from loan would make it 5. 11 goals in 12 games now. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlZgkkOpTmk"]Hattrick John Guidetti Feyenoord VS FC Twente 18-12-2011 - YouTube[/ame]