Hilarious 
I’m sure both he and Guardiola speak perfect Castillian. I doubt Arne knows much more than “Dos cervezas por favor”.
1 Like
The language isn’t going to be a problem.
We’ve got enough Latinos in the team plus most of the Europeans do come across with pretty good English nowadays anyway.
1 Like
The thing is the less you’d have to talk to Pep the better; I can’t imagine the language thing is an attraction when it means more Pep weirdness.
3 Likes
Darwin can help him 
Yes, help him with missing the target.
Zubimendi to City makes no sense for any party. There is no formation Pep has ever come close to that could utilize both him and Rodri in ways that suit their natural game and so for City you are looking at spending 60 million for a player who will fill a hole that will be naturally filled by the start of next season, and after that it will mean having the best back up #6 in the world (whichever of the two is named on the bench). Is that how they want to spend their money now when probably every single department in their side needs addressing by the end of this summer?
And for the player, he may back himself to outcompete Rodri if he has the opportunity for the manager to see them both on a daily basis, but why would he take that chance when there are plenty of other moves that will be available to him.
This shit is often illogical though, so put your money on it happening
6 Likes
…Unless they gauge Rodri is more or less finished, or at best, will be less effective than he ever was
1 Like
Screw Zubimendi.
Had his chance. Chose mountains, paella and a bunch of flagrant false promises.
If you don’t jump at the chance to come here then you’ve got to question his ambition. Not like he went somewhere else and it didn’t work out.
5 Likes
To err is human. To forgive, divine!
I would happily sign him, but it has to be decisive. Any faffing about and I would move on. He was on the cusp of a move in summer and they put a bit of pressure on, and he decided to stay put. I can forgive it, home club, home town, etc.
He is a very good player indeed, although arguably Gravenberch, the revelation, might have changed the calculus. We’ll see.
3 Likes
Reitz and Cardoso are 2 up and coming players to keep an eye out for, the types that’ll fly under the radar of journo’s and end up being a surprise signing.
Reality is he fucked us around in the summer and now he’s finding out.
I don’t think you reward Gravenberch stepping up by then going out and signing the bloke you originally planned to play in his place.
2 Likes
I’m ambivalent on Zubimendi joining. It is what it is.
I think the management team just didn’t realise what a gem they had in Gravenberch who was ready to get unlocked.
I’ll put the blame on a combination of grav arriving later in the window , Jurgen’s playing style and then the horrible injury by Caicedo.
Jurgen wanted to make it so that Grav played more of a Gini role. Slot has shown more nous there in identifying the type of player that Grav is , not surprising considering both are Dutch.
If Zubi does join , it is as a backup to Grav. He better be happy with that. If he doesn’t , we have other options within the club.
1 Like
If there’s a prominent role for both Zubimendi and Gravenberch, bring it on.
If the potential signing of Zubimendi relegates Gravenberch to more of a squad man, I definitely do not want that. Gravenberch has been one of the biggest success stories of the season so far, and the last thing I want to do is shackle that.
1 Like
Slot views Gravenberch as a number 8. If Zubimendi joins us, Mac is the one who needs to worry. Gravenberch’s best attribute is always driving the ball forward; when someone like Zubimendi covers behind him, it’s a good thing for him. I always think Mac needs to be more involved in the build-up phase, but currently, his performance isn’t at the same level as Gravenberch and Szoboszlai.
1 Like
Source?
1 Like
In Gravenberch’s interview, he said Slot told him to focus on number 8, but he needs to do both number 8 and number 6.
1 Like
I just looked up that interview, it was from August. I think a lot of things can have changed since.
Slot might have CB in mind for Grav alongside Virg… If so, we need a number 6 first - just saying
1 Like
Adding Zubimendi would solve a lot of problems. He can play as a lone 6 and push Gravenberch forward (or just rest) or in a double pivot with Grav, Jones, or Mac. Most importantly we wouldn’t be fucked anymore if Grav goes down with an extended injury. No brainer in my opinion and easily the most needed in January. Everything else can wait.
4 Likes
And if Grav doesn’t go down we could have an expensive whiney player who can’t wait to go back to Spain and disrupts the team?
He isn’t easily the most needed. We have plenty of depth in midfield albeit of a different style.
A backup left CB is probably much more needed “so saying easily the most needed” is way off. At LCB, we lack both numbers and quality.