Welcome back, footy nerds. If you’re just joining, the previous installment is available here, and the first installment in the series is available here.
We rolled through September.
![](https://www.dbbaldwin.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/s9-1.png)
After our start in August, I didn’t think the good times could continue. They did. I had to rotate a bit due to fixture congestion, and Leicester were able to take advantage to nab a point off us. We had great wins against Liverpool and Chelsea in the league.
We rolled through October.
![](https://www.dbbaldwin.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/s9-2.png)
Same story, different month. More good wins in the league, this time over Man United and Spurs.
At the end of October, we were top of the league.
![](https://www.dbbaldwin.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/s9-3.png)
![](https://www.dbbaldwin.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/s9-4.png)
We were also top of our Champion’s League group.
November was our first actual stumble.
![](https://www.dbbaldwin.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/s9-5.png)
My squad rotation bit us at home against Villa. We were slightly the better side, but couldn’t find the net. Rhian Brewster scored a penalty on 82 minutes, and Villa got their second after I threw everyone forward.
Our youth intake preview came in.
![](https://www.dbbaldwin.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/s9-6.png)
It doesn’t look very promising, despite the green rows. “This is a very poor crop of players.” That’s after I managed another upgrade to our recruitment.
One of my positions of “need” (I use the word lightly) is left back. Gabriel has been hurt for months, and Nilson is right-footed. Our scouts turned up a great-looking player.
![](https://www.dbbaldwin.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/s9-7-1024x595.png)
Oh, wait. Victor Hugo. The one that got away. He ended up being better than Vlad Dragic. He is also monumentally expensive. I don’t think we’ll be signing him. Hopefully Gabriel stays healthy and develops further.
You know how I complain about not being able to spend our transfer budget? I… may have done a thing.
![](https://www.dbbaldwin.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/s9-8.png)
I’ve been sending the scouts to watch Kouyate for a few years, but he was never interested in joining us. He is now. He’s not the best striker in the world. I still think City’s guy Delgado is–and Mbappe and Haaland are still very much playing–but Kouyate could be top 5.
The catch is that I don’t really need another top-shelf striker. (You always need another top-shelf striker.) I have Martin Ramirez, who is probably top 10 in the world. Fede Cordero is right there with Ramirez.
![](https://www.dbbaldwin.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/s9-9-1024x561.png)
Kouyate is better than them! He also will cost me 130m quid (plus agent fees) with a 15m bonus due after 50 league appearances.
![](https://www.dbbaldwin.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/s9-x.png)
I did it. F*** it. What’s the point of being rich if you don’t enjoy it.
There are clubs that have a philosophy of not signing a player only because they are good and available, instead looking to fill the actual needs in their squad. That is not my philosophy in general, but certainly not when I have a 165m quid transfer budget burning a hole in my pocket. You could argue I overpaid for him. You would probably be right, given our squad situation. But if we win a major trophy this year, and Kouyate is scoring goals along the way, will you complain? I don’t think so.
We are so loaded in attack, it’s kind of ridiculous. Kouyate, M. Ramirez, Baez, Cordero, Idah, Villafane, Palacios. I need to start playing 3124 and see if we can win with 4 strikers and 2 wingers on the pitch.
Our form in December dipped a little.
![](https://www.dbbaldwin.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/s9-10-1.png)
But only a little. City scored multiple late goals when we were throwing bodies forward to recover a 1-2 scoreline for a draw. The Porto match was a heavily rotated side in a match that was meaningless for us.
![](https://www.dbbaldwin.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/s9-11.png)
We’re in great shape at the end of December. I guess, technically, I could ask for a perfect record, but WE’RE TOP OF THE LEAGUE AT CHRISTMAS. By 8 points no less.
This is from 2 January, to reflect our club record transfer.
![](https://www.dbbaldwin.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/s9-12-1024x481.png)
After we paid Lyon for Kouyate, our bank balance took a major hit, but we’re still preposterously rich. If I sell a couple more fringe players like Araujo and Escalante, I could still potentially bring in a 50-60m midfielder.
The rest of this season should be fascinating, but it will have to wait until the next update. See you then, footy nerds.