So we deny ourselves £25m+, keep paying someone thats always injured for the sole purpose of not letting someone else have him? That's not a good idea.

I don't think it's that one sided. It's a gamble, but I think Pato is worth gambling.

I'd rather gamble on Balotelli.

I don't see why we can't have both. The Stoic Psycho and the Samba Star. Ibra won't last forever. We should land Mario in his last year of the City contract. By then Ibra will be moving on I think.

Kaka got his knees done in at Milan, it's a different situation

Pato's recurring muscle problems started at Milan, as you said, it's obvious his growth was effected in some way. But the fact that they keep happening and it's always the same thing has to be somewhat blamed on our inept medical staff. That's why I said he would most likely get over his problems at another team.

Serginho and Bonera both had similar issues with the same recurring injuries for extended period of time. Both with their backs. It's not like this is the first time we've seen it happen. Kaka and Ronaldo saught out second oppinions from the NT coaches.

I think Pato should do the same imo, maybe other docors can give him better answers. Because the Milan doctors clearly cannot get a handle on it

As for Balo, I agree with Jack, he'd be a possible Ibra replacement in the future. Him and Pato are very different. And I never understood why they were compared so much and still are being compared. Maybe it's because they're both insanely talented young players who burst onto the scene at opposite sides of Milan

I don't know if he was treated fairly, I mean sometimes it was frustrating to watch him sit on bench in favor of the good ol' Christmas tree, but yeah, he played his best football under Carlo.

That however doesn't say much about Carlo. it's just that Pato still hadn't developed this thigh problem yet... or shall I say, MilanLab hadn't done their damage yet.

This season aside, Pato's goalscoring ratio has always been ~0.5 goals per game and I'm fairly confident this season will be the same eventually.

It's always like this, at some point during each season there are lots of rumors of him being sold due to him not playing well/getting injured constantly, then he suddenly puts on his scoring boots and everyone suddenly forgets about it...

Maybe a chance to loan him out to get his full fitness back if we bring in Tevez next month

Gives him a chance to get games under his belt out of the spotlight. He's only 22 it would be silly to sell potential that he's got until he's fully developed around 25/26. Would leave us with Ibra, Tevez, Robinho with Inzaghi as back up until the end of the season. Lets face it if Tevez does come he's going to struggle to even make the bench

Loan won't happen. despite his form, he's still too big for that kind of thing. unless it's back to Brazil which would be a huge blow for him.

What?Pato is first team always.If Tevez comes,he'll probably play a trident of stikers.I doubt Tevez will come,it will be interesting.

Can't understand why Allegri isn't playing that now. With Robinho playing alongside at least then Pato could play in a more wide role rather than direct through the middle. Let him and Robinho run the channels

Only problem with that system would be Boateng playing more central rather than in behind but I'd be happy with that because we have more options in the middle if we need to change it

I simply can't see Allegri playing Pato, Tevez and Ibra at the same time, unless Tevez does the Robinho and tracks back a lot.

He does but not that the extent that Robinho does, he's not used to being needed to with City 99% dominating games. He's never really been in a side that's had to defend

I don't see the problem with rotating the strikers. No player should have a guaranteed spot regardless of there reputation. The minute you start playing players just because of there name is when you have problems. Pato is no different if he's not performing for whatever reason his future in the side should be looked at

Pato, Tevez and Ibrahimovic is not going to work I think. Mainly because the lack of workrate from Pato. Robinho, Tevez and Ibrahimovic may work though.

Hmm... well I disagree.

We all know that Carlo is a coach whose training emphasises a lot on physical fitness. Lotsa sandbox work etc. I'm not the right person but Bluesummers might be able to pitch in.

Also I remember the thing that players liked about Carlo was how he would somehow find a tactical system where everyone was in their favourite position. Pato under Carlo was an entirely different player, he had the freedom to do what he likes and run wherever and basically a license to play his style.

Allegri gives that license only to the Ibra-monster. The rest are under a tight leash.

Work rate, having to work channels, make intelligent runs...these are not things he is good at, but since he is not our natural primo-punta, he has to do this work. But to learn the role, he needs continuity and that's not happening.