Confirmed Signing Stephen Mfuni - LCB + LB (4 Viewers)

[stupot07]

A centre back that steps into midfield is plausible and suits his skill set.

Yep, but that is completely different to starting him midfield. Or saying Grimes should be dropped and Mfuni played in his position instead.

 

[stupot07]

I think we should go for Botman in January and stick him in the 10, look at what he can do when he gets into a shooting position, we should get Dunk too, could probably play as a 6 for us with a strike like that

 

[wingy]

Who was the guy/coach who had allrounders across the pitch or have I made that up,Pep?

 

[Lamps]

The Man City academy and Frank seem to think he's a defender so I'll trust their judgement.
Some on here will want him playing centre forward if he scores again. Should Bobby play in goal because of his goal line clearance against Forest?

So he shouldn't be seen as anything other than a defender because he has only played a handful of games as a defender at the age of 18?

It's as though some people let all common sense out of the window just to try and cause an argument.

He has stepped up to the mens game with ease. He loves going forward as he showed with Watford and is more than capable of it. But he has been a defender for about 15 games so he will be a defender forevermore?

 

[Lamps]

Yep, but that is completely different to starting him midfield. Or saying Grimes should be dropped and Mfuni played in his position instead.

Who said Grimes should be dropped?

If this was aimed at me I said when we have Amenda back he could be with Pinnock and Thomas. This would leave Mfuni available for elsewhere and also there to help the defence oit when needed.

 

[Cov. Kids. Never. Quit]

So he shouldn't be seen as anything other than a defender because he has only played a handful of games as a defender at the age of 18?

It's as though some people let all common sense out of the window just to try and cause an argument.

He has stepped up to the mens game with ease. He loves going forward as he showed with Watford and is more than capable of it. But he has been a defender for about 15 games so he will be a defender forevermore?

For those old enough to remember, two names, Gary Gillespie and Alan Hanson.

The Rolls-Royce of Centre Half's.

 

[LarryGrayson]

So he shouldn't be seen as anything other than a defender because he has only played a handful of games as a defender at the age of 18?

It's as though some people let all common sense out of the window just to try and cause an argument.

He has stepped up to the mens game with ease. He loves going forward as he showed with Watford and is more than capable of it. But he has been a defender for about 15 games so he will be a defender forevermore?

He's been a defender for a lot more than 15 games.

 

[Grendel]

For those old enough to remember, two names, Gary Gillespie and Alan Hanson.

The Rolls-Royce of Centre Half's.

Not midfielders

 

[stupot07]

Who said Grimes should be dropped?

If this was aimed at me I said when we have Amenda back he could be with Pinnock and Thomas. This would leave Mfuni available for elsewhere and also there to help the defence oit when needed.

No.

Never going to happen but I'd love to see him have a go in the Grimes role.

......

....Am I missing something with what Grimes is bringing to the table?

Absolutely spot on I think. Grimes is definitely finding premier league pace an issue. Shame because I love the bloke and hope he gets to grips but Mfuni looks custom built for the role . Taller, stronger and quicker and brimming with confidence .

 

[fernandopartridge]

So he shouldn't be seen as anything other than a defender because he has only played a handful of games as a defender at the age of 18?

It's as though some people let all common sense out of the window just to try and cause an argument.

He has stepped up to the mens game with ease. He loves going forward as he showed with Watford and is more than capable of it. But he has been a defender for about 15 games so he will be a defender forevermore?

Oi Manchester City and England elite youth player developers, listen

 

[stupot07]

At the youth level, Stephen Mfuni played as a left-footed defender, primarily alternating between centre-back and left-back.
Having been with the Manchester City Academy since the Under-9 level, his style of play allowed him to function as a classy, ball-playing defender who would frequently carry the ball forward or step up into midfield to create numerical overloads for his team.

Youth Career Highlights

• Goalscoring Threat: Despite being a defender, he regularly moved up for set pieces and attacking plays. He famously scored for Manchester City in their 4–0 victory over Leeds United in the 2023–24 FA Youth Cup Final.
• Rapid Progression: He broke into City's Under-18 squad at just 15 years old, going on to play extensively for the Under-18, Under-19 (UEFA Youth League), and Under-21 Elite Development Squad (EDS) teams.
• International Roles: He maintained these same defensive roles while representing England across multiple youth levels, including the Under-16, Under-17, Under-18, Under-19, and Under-21 squads.

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

A centre back that steps into midfield is plausible and suits his skill set.

It's not implausible. Not sure it's that straightforward though. They're entirely different roles and as such require very different skill sets.

As a midfielder you have to be aware of everything around you. CB you only really have to worry about what's in front of you.

With that comes being comfortable in the transition, having that ability to shift seamlessly between defence and attack or vice versa, knowing the type of pass to play, when to push forward, when to hold off, constant scanning and just having that natural vision. There's so much you have to have to your repertoire as a DM.

 

[stupot07]

It's not implausible. Not sure it's that straightforward though. They're entirely different roles and as such require very different skill sets.

As a midfielder you have to be aware of everything around you. CB you only really have to worry about what's in front of you.

With that comes being comfortable in the transition, having that ability to shift seamlessly between defence and attack or vice versa, knowing the type of pass to play, when to push forward, when to hold off, constant scanning and just having that natural vision. There's so much you have to have to your repertoire as a DM.

I think he means a CB that steps into midfield during phases of play when the team are in possession like John Stones did, no him playing in midfield

 

[San Francisco]

So he shouldn't be seen as anything other than a defender because he has only played a handful of games as a defender at the age of 18?

If the professionals say so then yes.

It's as though some people let all common sense out of the window just to try and cause an argument.

Ironic.

He has stepped up to the mens game with ease. He loves going forward as he showed with Watford and is more than capable of it. But he has been a defender for about 15 games so he will be a defender forevermore?

Bobby and Dasilva have both scored before. Frank isn't going to start playing them further forward. Mfuni was brought in to play in defence and we already have 6 centre midfielders.

 

[Skybluedogwood]

No.

Absolutely I said I’d like to see Grimes dropped and try Mfuni in that role.
I stick by that 100% and said why.

So for those throwing insults around about the idea of trying something different with Mfuni, do you think he should be in our starting 11, and do you think Grimes is justifying his place this season? If we go to 4 at the back again do you really leave Mfuni on the bench or are you dropping Thomas, Pinnock, JDS or MVE and who is in midfield?

 

[Lamps]

Absolutely I said I’d like to see Grimes dropped and try Mfuni in that role.
I stick by that 100% and said why.

So for those throwing insults around about the idea of trying something different with Mfuni, do you think he should be in our starting 11, and do you think Grimes is justifying his place this season? If we go to 4 at the back again do you really leave Mfuni on the bench or are you dropping Thomas, Pinnock, JDS or MVE and who is in midfield?

Not too keen on the Grimes role, but the rest makes sense.

Whenever anyone covers for Grimes they need to be more defensively minded. He just loves going forward and is very talented.

 

[Lamps]

Oi Manchester City and England elite youth player developers, listen

Have they told him to stop going forward? It's what he has done since starting in the mens league.

 

[Skybluedogwood]

Not too keen on the Grimes role, but the rest makes sense.

Whenever anyone covers for Grimes they need to be more defensively minded. He just loves going forward and is very talented.

If we go back a few months, most of us were worried about defence and there was a general outcry wanting a new left back. I was one of them.

It’s ironic that JDS has really raised his game, Thomas has been a revelation and Pinnock (who many others here said was too old / legs had gone / poor signing) has looked great, he reads the game well and has forged a good understanding with Thomas. Most here viewed Amenda as the best signing.

MVE always looked to be one of our players that was expected to be able to step up, I still think he can and was much improved against Newcastle but has been the weakest of the back line so far.

Grimes was rightly lauded as a key signing last year, everything went through him and he kept us ticking over. It’s clear he doesn’t have the time / space to do that this year and his main “strength” is greatly diminished.

we’ve currently got £45m odd of winger signings in Tuna and Gboho getting no game time. Plenty of speculation why, but in terms of ability, I’d have thought most here would agree having them (or possibly Wright on the left) is an upgrade on EMC and BTA at creating chances and keeping more of the ball.

Yirenkyi is young and makes mistakes but I stick by my view he will be a £50m player one day and has to start. So the benefit / challenge of a deep squad is how to best perm the talent available, Rudi is returning to his best.

Totally agree we don’t want to stifle Mfuni’s attacking capability. I suppose the point I was trying to make is it seems a waste him sat on the bench when sadly Grimes is clearly struggling. Seems a total waste for such a huge talent, most of our new signings are starting to show they are real upgrades and there’s no place for sentiment or being blinkered about positions. Wasn’t long ago some here were outraged at the prospect of Mfuni playing on the right, circumstances change, we can’t carry passengers and have to find ways to accommodate players that are performing. If that means trying him in a new position like Stones does from time to time I’m 100% for it, rather than sticking to something which most here agree is currently the weak link.

 

[PUSB-We_are_going_up]

A centre back that steps into midfield is plausible and suits his skill set.

John Stones esque

 

[Cov. Kids. Never. Quit]

Not midfielders

You going a bit senile, I never said he WAS, I said he could do a job IF NEEDED.

 

[Captain Dart]

So he shouldn't be seen as anything other than a defender because he has only played a handful of games as a defender at the age of 18?

It's as though some people let all common sense out of the window just to try and cause an argument.

He has stepped up to the mens game with ease. He loves going forward as he showed with Watford and is more than capable of it. But he has been a defender for about 15 games so he will be a defender forevermore?

Strangely enough that was pretty much the plot of a Roy of the Rovers comic strip I once read.