Speculation The hysterical and annoying, but traditional, totally unfounded summer 2018 rumours thread.

[camberwell fox]

Consistency and fitness? Iborra can be quality on his day but most of the time he's out injured or looks like he's been binging on pints and snouts before games. His lack of fitness is a big worry.

Deserving of a whhhhooooosssshhhh though.

 

[Blue Maniac]

Stephen Hughes is our best midfielder.

 

[fox58]

Stephen Hughes is our best ever midfielder.

That’s open to debate

 

[Lako42]

Consistency and fitness? Iborra can be quality on his day but most of the time he's out injured or looks like he's been binging on pints and snouts before games. His lack of fitness is a big worry.

I think he got 1 injury and then just benched.

I think he's a much better player than Wilfred, but hopefully Wilfred can improve to the point where his overall game is as good .

 

[popillius]

Ndidi is a much better player. Iborra is either great or terrible but never really anything in between. In some games last season he was totally anonymous and gave the ball away time after time whilst in others, he looked calm, controlled and organised. Ndidi isn't a phenomenon by any means but he is consistent and tidies up very well. His interceptions/tackles are exceptional as the statistics show; I'd have him over Iborra every single time.

 

[Feriol]

Ndidi is underated I think. He needs to improve his use of the ball, but defensively he is phenomenal.

I like Iborra's compusure and presence, but he isn't mobile enough to be an out and out defensive midfielder and not creative enough in attack. He would be valuable in a central 3 I think.

 

[TornadoShaunUK]

You only have to look at the stats to realise Ndidi is the best at what he does in our midfield. I agree, Iborra has had some great games, but more often than not is doing his best impression of Andy King...

 

[City Fan]

I would argue that neither Iborra or Ndidi are consistent enough at this level. We need to seriously improve our central midfield in my opinion and add some creativity when Mahrez leaves. We have too many average central midfielders.

 

[TommyK]

Have I joined a different universe where Ndidi was not consistently fantastic last season. Our best central midfielder by a country mile and at 21 could very well be an absolute super star.

 

[Blue Maniac]

You only have to look at the stats to realise Ndidi is the best at what he does in our midfield. I agree, Iborra has had some great games, but more often than not is doing his best impression of Andy King...

King is scandalously underrated by some people on here.

 

[fitz]

King is scandalously underrated by some people on here.

Ture. Iborra on a regular off day is more like Kevin Pressman would be playing outfield with external piles and crabs with GTF and Ian Marshall strapped to his back.

 

[homer]

Have I joined a different universe where Ndidi was not consistently fantastic last season. Our best central midfielder by a country mile and at 21 could very well be an absolute super star.

Yes, you have - he's a complete shithouse in this one

 

[popillius]

I would argue that neither Iborra or Ndidi are consistent enough at this level. We need to seriously improve our central midfield in my opinion and add some creativity when Mahrez leaves. We have too many average central midfielders.

So a defensive midfielder with the most tackles in the Premier League last year is average? Football really is ****ed isn't it.

 

[City Fan]

So a defensive midfielder with the most tackles in the Premier League last year is average? Football really is ****ed isn't it.

I should have perhaps separated it out as a different comment so I can see how it can interpreted your way, but by saying we have too many average central midfielders I was referring to the likes of King, James, Iborra and Mendy.

Ndidi can be exceptional on his day, but I would argue that he’s inconsistent. But he’s only young so it can be excused.

Ndidi plus a creative central midfielder would be a force to be reckoned with.

 

[londonfox]

I’d like to see a fit Mendy given a chance before we write him off as average. You would think if anyone could get the best out of him it would be Puel given he managed him at Nice. I don’t think Ndidi, Iborra, and (possibly) Mendy is all that bad for defensive options.

The conundrum for the midfield is Silva. I think he is clearly a quality footballer but I’m not sure anyone knows what his best position is. Could he be the creative spark?

 

[popillius]

I should have perhaps separated it out as a different comment so I can see how it can interpreted your way, but by saying we have too many average central midfielders I was referring to the likes of King, James, Iborra and Mendy.

Ndidi can be exceptional on his day, but I would argue that he’s inconsistent. But he’s only young so it can be excused.

Ndidi plus a creative central midfielder would be a force to be reckoned with.

Ah, now that makes a lot more sense. I agree with most of that.

 

[City Fan]

The conundrum for the midfield is Silva. I think he is clearly a quality footballer but I’m not sure anyone knows what his best position is. Could he be the creative spark?

He was terrible last season until the last couple of games. Given a full pre season I hope he will be the creative spark we need.

I’d still like to see one extra creative central midfielder brought in, and a few central midfielders shipped out.

 

[Lako42]

I wouldn't mind if the entire midfield was changed.

Obviously I know that won't happen but non of them give me too much hope regarding creating anything through the middle

 

[PFKAKTF FOX]

Ndidi IMO is by far and away our most consistent performer. Iborra can be very classy at times, however can also struggle with the physical side of the English game,he lacks pace and can easily be overran. The issue for me is that Iborra, Silva, Mendy, King and James are all very much of a muchness, all competent but none are at the level we require if we genuinely harbour ambitions of breaking into and regularly challenging the top 6.

For us to achieve this, I believe we need to take a gamble on a player like Wilshere, who has the quality but lost their way somewhat and would perhaps welcome the new challenge.

I would not be at all surprised to see Iborra and Silva move on in the summer back to leagues that suit their playing style.

 

[Graz]

John Percy tweeting that we've made a £20m offer for James Maddison.

Everton and Southampton still interested but we've made the first move.