Other Clubs Transfer Window 2025-2026.

[ElGato]

Also, he needs to concentrate on his game, and put some discipline into himself to improve and/or maintain high levels.

He is a bit of a lose cannon, and not long ago Lyon wanted rid, as he caused too much trouble with discipline.

Players like that tend to fall off a cliff, because they are allowed this “freedom” – and they self sabotage.

Pep could have saved so many players that have gone this way.

True. I watched him makes his debut as a 16 year old in Ligue 1 and am surprised given the natural talent he displayed then how long it has taken him to secure a big move. have similarly heard issues with his professionalism

He can be forgiven for letting it go to his head... although the last year something appears to have clicked? Sometimes a player just needs a certain type of management to get the most out of them

 

[Pabbers]

True. I watched him makes his debut as a 16 year old in Ligue 1 and am surprised given the natural talent he displayed then how long it has taken him to secure a big move. have similarly heard issues with his professionalism

He can be forgiven for letting it go to his head... although the last year something appears to have clicked? Sometimes a player just needs a certain type of management to get the most out of them

Yeah spot on.

If anyone can take his game that next level and go to the very top, its Pep.

 

[ElGato]

Yeah spot on.

If anyone can take his game that next level and go to the very top, its Pep.

I dunno tbh mate. Pep is a great tactical disciplinarian, but he doesn't have much time for individualism. He hasn't got a great record of working with bad bois and mavericks - the likes of Zlatan for instance, even Grealish.

He's obviously an elite manager and man-manager, but sometimes a Cherki might react more to the man-management styles of a Klopp or an Ancelotti. All down to personal preferences.

Either way I think it's telling that City have gone for him; you won't imagine they would have done so without the necessary background checks etc. So they obviously feel that something has clicked and that he's got the capacity to self-discipline, be professional, and follow instructions (even if that means sacrificing part of his own game for the collective good) - which are pre-requisites for a pep player

I can't wait to watch him regularly; super exciting player. Just hope that Pep doesn't train that flair and creativity out of him! Interested to see how that develops

 

[Pabbers]

I dunno tbh mate. Pep is a great tactical disciplinarian, but he doesn't have much time for individualism. He hasn't got a great record of working with bad bois and mavericks - the likes of Zlatan for instance, even Grealish.

He's obviously an elite manager and man-manager, but sometimes a Cherki might react more to the man-management styles of a Klopp or an Ancelotti. All down to personal preferences.

Either way I think it's telling that City have gone for him; you won't imagine they would have done so without the necessary background checks etc. So they obviously feel that something has clicked and that he's got the capacity to self-discipline, be professional, and follow instructions (even if that means sacrificing part of his own game for the collective good) - which are pre-requisites for a pep player

I can't wait to watch him regularly; super exciting player. Just hope that Pep doesn't train that flair and creativity out of him! Interested to see how that develops

Then Cherki won't improve then, and will end up at a lower level.

Its on the player to step up.

For every Grealishyou have KDB, Sterling, Mahrez.

Its on the player if they don't want to improve and perform at that level.

He is also a low risk signing, cost very little really.

This training flair OUT of a player is just rubbish, its happened with 1 player Grealish ....and thats down to the player as much as anyone...Sane, Mahrez, Sterling, Doku all still do lots or flair, along with much more production under Pep.

Pep had Messi, Iniesta, Villa all showing flair ever single game.

Zlatan is hard to manage and has fallen out with many.

 

[ElGato]

Then Cherki won't improve then, and will end up at a lower level.

Its on the player to step up.

For every Grealishyou have KDB, Sterling, Mahrez.

Its on the player if they don't want to improve and perform at that level.

He is also a low risk signing, cost very little really.

This training flair OUT of a player is just rubbish, its happened with 1 player Grealish ....and thats down to the player as much as anyone...Sane, Mahrez, Sterling, Doku all still do lots or flair, along with much more production under Pep.

Pep had Messi, Iniesta, Villa all showing flair ever single game.

Zlatan is hard to manage and has fallen out with many.

There's no need to get defensive lad

In a world where Cherki perhaps doesn't react well to Pep's style of management (which isn't out of the question) that wouldn't mean that he won't ever improve nor that he'll end up at a lower level.

The example of Sane is an interesting one. He left City at peak of his powers because Pep took a disliking to his attitude on and off the pitch and dropped him to the bench. Still stayed playing at the highest level and is still highly coveted. Just a clash of styles, in the end. Numerous examples of Pep chopping players out of the team, at short notice, and on that basis.

And that's the point I'm making about the Cherki signing; given criticisms of his attitude before and his slightly maverick approach the game, will he fit Man City? Or will - as you appear to be implying - Pep's zero tolerance approach keep him switched on?

And you're slightly misreading my point about flair. Pep isn't against flair or flair players, but he can impose a degree of positional rigidity on certain players (Henry spoke about that being the biggest adjustment he had to make when moving to Barca). Cherki likes to float about the pitch and go where there is space - I just hope Pep doesn't tell him to stay high and wide and recycle the ball from side to side.

 

[Pabbers]

There's no need to get defensive lad

In a world where Cherki perhaps doesn't react well to Pep's style of management (which isn't out of the question) that wouldn't mean that he won't ever improve nor that he'll end up at a lower level.

The example of Sane is an interesting one. He left City at peak of his powers because Pep took a disliking to his attitude on and off the pitch and dropped him to the bench. Still stayed playing at the highest level and is still highly coveted. Just a clash of styles, in the end. Numerous examples of Pep chopping players out of the team, at short notice, and on that basis.

And that's the point I'm making about the Cherki signing; given criticisms of his attitude before and his slightly maverick approach the game, will he fit Man City? Or will - as you appear to be implying - Pep's zero tolerance approach keep him switched on?

And you're slightly misreading my point about flair. Pep isn't against flair or flair players, but he can impose a degree of positional rigidity on certain players (Henry spoke about that being the biggest adjustment he had to make when moving to Barca). Cherki likes to float about the pitch and go where there is space - I just hope Pep doesn't tell him to stay high and wide and recycle the ball from side to side.

The same as every single attacking player for Man City, if you don't see that then im not sure you have watched them.

Yes, they like to retain the ball more.....when some fans wan't more risks from players, but you can't say that Citys front 3 have EVER be ridgid or have to stick to fixed positions, they are completely inter-changing all game, thats why its so hard to mark them.

It was the same at Barca & Bayern.

Cherki is perfect in all his football style for this Pep team, he is more of a passer/unlocker with vision and quick foot movement like Foden/Palmer/KDB than a Doku runner anyway, THE question is his attutude & the actual non-football stuff, as you say - Thats the question mark about him, else he wouold have moved years ago.

 

[ElGato]

The same as every single attacking player for Man City, if you don't see that then im not sure you have watched them.

Yes, they like to retain the ball more.....when some fans wan't more risks from players, but you can't say that Citys front 3 have EVER be ridgid or have to stick to fixed positions, they are completely inter-changing all game, thats why its so hard to mark them.

It was the same at Barca & Bayern.

Cherki is perfect in all his football style for this Pep team, he is more of a passer/unlocker with vision and quick foot movement like Foden/Palmer/KDB than a Doku runner anyway, THE question is his attutude & the actual non-football stuff, as you say - Thats the question mark about him, else he wouold have moved years ago.

Nonsense. For certain players and in certain systems, Pep does instill a form of positional rigidity.

And I actually do think that the current City front line are quite rigid relative to Pep systems of the past. With the current personnel and in the current system, the wingers (Grealish, Savinho, Doku) are told to stay high and wide. Their attacking output (goals and assists) is therefore quite poor. Haaland stays in the middle, so does Rodri (or did). The rest of the players, however - your De Bruynes, Fodens, Gundogans, Silvas, both full backs - undertake a lot of rotations around them.

Let's hope Cherki is more in the latter camp - with license to rotate around the middle of the park and pop up in the half spaces - than the former; told to hold their positions and create space for others

 

[doyle57]

Then Cherki won't improve then, and will end up at a lower level.

Its on the player to step up.

For every Grealishyou have KDB, Sterling, Mahrez.

Its on the player if they don't want to improve and perform at that level.

He is also a low risk signing, cost very little really.

This training flair OUT of a player is just rubbish, its happened with 1 player Grealish ....and thats down to the player as much as anyone...Sane, Mahrez, Sterling, Doku all still do lots or flair, along with much more production under Pep.

Pep had Messi, Iniesta, Villa all showing flair ever single game.

Zlatan is hard to manage and has fallen out with many.

It would be impossible to coach flair out of these two.

 

[Pabbers]

Nonsense. For certain players and in certain systems, Pep does instill a form of positional rigidity.

And I actually do think that the current City front line are quite rigid relative to Pep systems of the past. With the current personnel and in the current system, the wingers (Grealish, Savinho, Doku) are told to stay high and wide. Their attacking output (goals and assists) is therefore quite poor. Haaland stays in the middle, so does Rodri (or did). The rest of the players, however - your De Bruynes, Fodens, Gundogans, Silvas, both full backs - undertake a lot of rotations around them.

Let's hope Cherki is more in the latter camp - with license to rotate around the middle of the park and pop up in the half spaces - than the former; told to hold their positions and create space for others

Now convinced you have never watched a Pep team or City under him, thats clear as day.

Have a great day.

 

[Pabbers]

It would be impossible to coach flair out of these two.

Its impossible to coach it out of anyone, its a myth and a lazy excuse for players who have simply dropped off or past their peak.

 

[SAFCInPeace]

Sad that Cherki has gone to City.

Players like that need the positional freedom to roam and license to take risks in the final third. For the good of the spectacle!

Hoping that Pep doesn't train the flair out of his game and turn him into a crab

Interesting to see how quickly they're moving to get their deals in. Clearly mean business!

 

[FCBarça]

Amusing to read the evolution in City fans eventually touting virtues of Pep or claiming to understand his tactics and how he implemented them elsewhere

The legends revolutionized the game and minds

 

[ElGato]

Now convinced you have never watched a Pep team or City under him, thats clear as day.

Have a great day.

Are you alright mate? Thought we were having a grown up conversation here

Toys out the pram stuff

You a city fan?

 

[ElGato]

Interesting to see how quickly they're moving to get their deals in. Clearly mean business!

Innit. Good signings as well, excited to see Reijnders in the prem next year

 

[Alan Whittle]

Palace in talks to get Benitez!!
Walter Benitez the PSV goalie.