Guardian_Angel_M

City 1 - 2 Villa

 Buendía and Luiz

Maybe they should try with Zidane while they're at this approach 

2-0 Kamara and Durán

Marca

In this article the Colombian U20 technical director says that is highly unlikely that Duran will return for the tournament's playoff stage. Apparently Emery wants him to start training ASAP. He also says they were aware of the possibility of the transfer happening soon but were told by the player's agent he could return but in the end the club decided otherwise and that they understand and respect the club's position.

16 minutes ago, Zatman said:

I really liked Zapata I think he would have done well in England but the injury he got last season I think has ruined him

A fit Zapata would have had a big chance to be successful in the Premier League he has the right attributes for the league. The injury and big chances missed in important qualifiers meant he couldn't make the center forward role his in the NT. Muriel is another one that is a mercurial talent with purple goalscoring patches every now and then but injuries have costed him big time. Historically colombian players are very inconsistent, very talented, but mentally we lack resilience. If Tino Asprilla had half the discipline and mentality of CR7 he would have been a world class player. JPA wasn't the most talented from his generation but one of the most professional and willing to work on his weaknesses. Hopefully Duran being young means he can be coached to fulfill his potential and be a star for Villa

15 minutes ago, Steero113 said:

Would personally put more weight on the 3 Colombia caps by age 18 to be honest, given the other forward players they have available. 

The Colombian manager who is actually Argentinian is planning for the 2026 WC so he's called up many up and coming youngsters with potential. We don't have that much quality upfront aside from a 36 year old Falcao, Luis Díaz who's more of a wide left forward not a consistent goalscorer and despite playing in Qatar and Greece we still have to play James Rodríguez who seems to be more motivated by other things outside playing football

6 minutes ago, Osirus said:

Is that JPA’s Son? 
 
I’ve heard he is highly rated as well

Yes, he is JPA's son. He's rated but playing for the biggest team in Colombia he has struggled to get minutes in a team that's expected to compete for the title every season and last year he had to compete with the 2nd historical goalscorer of the club who was ridiculously out of form so you wonder why Tomás wasn't played a lot more. And also there's a new manager who prefers to coach and integrate youngsters so everyone agrees this should benefit him but he has to take his chances if he wants to advance in his career.

1 hour ago, HeyAnty said:

Duran is currently in Colombia preparing to take part in the 2023 South American under-20 Championship. Colombia is in Group A alongside Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Peru, and will open the tournament on Thursday against Paraguay.
 

Something to watch on Thursday

This U20 squad has been somewhat controversial because during the preparation games Tomás Angel was the team's leading scorer with 8 goals and was left out with no solid reason to explain. I'm guessing they see Duran as the long term project and want to give him minutes for him to be ready for WC qualifiers. Hopefully with Emery coaching him we can see a rapid development in his skill set so he can be a success in the PL

Buendía a ghost so far, Luiz off the pace. Midfield being overrun every time leaving the defense exposed

Brilliantly composed Kamara to choose the right pass 

Yesss Leonnnn !!

3-1 Bailey, Kamara, Ramsey

Yessss! Good Ollie

6 minutes ago, briny_ear said:

Olsen is having a good game so far.

By his standards, maybe. He hasn't been punished for some suspect decisions by an underwhelming spurs side

Olsen gives me no confidence at all, what's with the flapping?

There's zero attacking intent right now, waiting for a soft goal to wake up

Sunday obviously!

I'd like to see the same game management we did against United this last 15 min

that was a pen

Come on Ashley!

1 minute ago, osmark86 said:

he's off

Missed that!

Let's get another regardless

.

Let's get another one before the obligatory Welbeck goal

Just now, osmark86 said:

Thought we looked pretty decent all things considered. Giving up a goal in the first minute is just stupid though and we can't afford to start half asleep anymore. It's unprofessional.

This is a trait Villa carries far long before Gerrard. Emery needs to address this