05 Jul 2020 20:38:11
Ed’s this question has almost certainly been asked and answered, so apologies in advance.

What’s your thoughts on next season? And in particular who or where you see main challenges coming from?

The context of that question being Man City will strengthen, but Pep in last year of contract, possibly no champions league, possibly DeBryne leaving, United clearly going to strengthen and appear to be clicking with Bruno and Pogba playing together, Chelsea buying all upcoming ‘marquee’ players.

Not bothering adding Spurs or Arsenal.

Obviously Lfc will strengthen to some degree, but can we keep everyone st bay again?

Just interested in your take of next season.

Thanks in advance.

{Ed002's Note - Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United will all look to challenge your assessment of the other sides is a little off the mark.}

1.) 05 Jul 2020
05 Jul 2020 20:45:53
Well I can’t see arsenal or spurs challenging. is that the what you are referring to?

Do you see them challenging?

{Ed002's Note - No. The assessment of the Manchester sides and Chelsea.}

2.) 05 Jul 2020
05 Jul 2020 21:03:05
Could you expand on that point?

{Ed002's Note - Gaurdiola’s contract is of no relevance, they have no interest in selling de Bruyne, Pogba wants out if he can, Chelsea are hardly buying “marquee” players.}

3.) 05 Jul 2020
05 Jul 2020 21:19:17
Ok, misunderstanding. thanks for the reply.

historically although not in every case, when a manager is in the last year of his contract, it has been noted that there has been a drop in players performance as they know a new manager is incoming.

With that in mind, do you think this will have an adverse effect on the mentality of the City Squad?

In regards to DeBryne he has previously stated he would have to reconsider his future, if City are it playing champions league.

With this in mind, could this effect his performance going forward?

In regards to Chelsea, my understanding was the Ajax forward and Timo Werner are highly regarded. is this not the case And obviously they are not finished yet.

Appreciate your views.

{Ed002's Note - The squad have no interest in the contract of the coach. They have no plans to sell De Bruyne. There is a big difference between “highly regarded” and “marquee” signings.}

4.) 05 Jul 2020
05 Jul 2020 21:41:00
Oh ok Ed2 appreciate the reply.

So Pep staying or going would have no impact on the psychology of the squad going forward? It wouldn’t impact the squad at any stage?

In regards to the marquee signings, I guess what is a marquee signing? I thought Timo would be regarded as one, but what do I know.

Appreciate the replies ed2.

{Ed002's Note - No, coaches come and go. The squad don’t all up and leave with them - it happens all of the time. A “marquee” striker would be Icardi, Kane, Ronaldo, Mbappe, Lewandowski etc., but not a sub £50M striker who is unproven outside of Germany.}

5.) 05 Jul 2020
05 Jul 2020 21:59:42
Ed come on, I’m not trying to break your balls here, and of all the eds, I respect your opinion most. I also have a degree of intelligence so your comment ‘the squad don’t all up and leave with them’ is clearly an obvious statement to make.

It’s been commented on by numerous pundits/ professionals the impact of a manager in his last year of contract has on the competitiveness of a squad. Are you discounting this factor?

Regarding your assessment of Timo, and your description of him, we all know he was priced st that valuation because it was a clause in his contract, to the vast majority of fans he is underpriced etc.

Are you now describing a 36/ 37 Tonsldo who plays in a slow Italian league as a marquee signing?

{Ed002's Note - I have no idea what “pundits and professionals” have said about coaches in their last year of their contracts. Perhaps all of these folks might want to think about Heynckes (twice), Ancelotti and Guardiola at Bayern Munich; Enrique and Vilanova at Barcelona; Schuster at Real Madrid as far as I recall and I can think of plenty of others. So yes, if that is what “pundits and professionals” are saying, I discount it. The clause in Werner’s contract was irrelevant and not what Was paid. A different value was agreed on. Ronaldo would be a “marquee” signing - the league is of no consequence.}

6.) 05 Jul 2020
05 Jul 2020 22:24:53
Ed I appreciate your reply, I genuinely do, I hope I haven’t annoyed you!

I am a normal football fan as in I watch and listen to the various football professionals/ ex professionals etc, I don’t have access to agents or various different databases that you are privileged to have access to.

I therefore rely on your expertise in these matters hence the reason I posted.

I do however have to disagree with you regarding a number of points you made throughout this post. to me and I’m sure the vast majority of football observers across the planet will agree Pep in his last year of his contract will have a big impact on players.

A disgruntled DeBryne will have a big impact on team performances.

Timo Werner would he have a bigger impact on the premiership than the current Ronaldo, I think he would.

Anyway thanks for the chat.

As always freedom of speech is the basis of fan support.

{Ed002's Note - There is no point continuing this. Liverpool will be over the moon that Manchester City won’t be challenging. You are confusing “impact” and “marquee signings”.}

7.) 05 Jul 2020
05 Jul 2020 22:34:07
Ok ed2 we’ll agree ‘there’s no point continuing this’.

We’ll agree to disagree.

Thanks for the ‘banter’.

8.) 06 Jul 2020
05 Jul 2020 23:37:58
Niall I disagree. City will be highly motivated next year regardless of Pep's contract situation. They are extremely good and professional footballers. Now, if you were going down the line of Pep has worn out his welcome and his players are sick of him, I'd be more open to that point, but just to say that they will be impacted because of his contract, I don't think that has any bearing at all. I agree more with Ed001 about how Pep's antics wear thin after a few years. We'll see though. Good discussion though.