Two Signings To Ensure Manchester City Start As The Strongest Title Contenders For 2017/18 Season
It has been another summer of heavy spending at the Etihad, with Pep Guardiola and Manchester City leaving no stones unturned in order to build a squad in the image of what the Catalan wants.
After a rather disappointing start to life in England, Guardiola has been backed heavily by the club and following the summer spending spree, results will also be expected to follow. City have been the biggest spenders in England so far, having brought in Benjamin Mendy and Bernardo Silva from AS Monaco, Ederson Moraes from SL Benfica, Kyle Walker from Tottenham Hotspur, Danilo from Real Madrid and Douglas Luiz from Vasco da Gama.
While most bases are pretty well covered for the Sky Blues, there may be a few more additions that Guardiola might want to make to the squad. And here are two players, who, if signed, will make City the strongest contenders for the title.
Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
There is no question that City have an embarrassment of riches in their attacking options with so many world class talents at Pep Guardiola’s disposal. Yet the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager remains keen on reuniting with Alexis Sanchez in the summer.
The Chilean international is also itching for a move away from the Emirates in the summer and stated that his desire to be playing in the Champions League as a major factor in deciding his future. Sanchez enjoyed a stellar campaign last time around, scoring 30 goals and chalking up 19 assists in 51 appearances across all competitions.
The 28-year old will be a natural fit into Guardiola’s intense pressing system, given his work rate and contribution without the ball and is at the peak of his prowess. While signing him may mean less action for Sergio Aguero, if the gaffer finds a way to play the two of them together, there will be few teams who will be able to stop the Citizens.
Inigo Martinez (Real Sociedad)
While City may have one of the most devastating attacking forces in the Premier League, their defence may not be the most air-tight. Having addressed the full-back issues, Guardiola might look to bring in a central defender to the squad. Sociedad’s Inigo Martinez could be the man he might turn to.
The 26-year old was linked with a move to the Etihad only two weeks back (Manchester Evening News) and it does make sense that the club want another centre-back. Vincent Kompany came in at the business end of the season and made a huge difference, but his injury record hardly inspires confidence. John Stones displayed that despite all his potential, he is still raw and Nicolas Otamendi continues to be inconsistent and erratic.
Having sold Aleksandar Kolarov to AS Roma, who operated as a centre-half on a number of occasions last season, and Eliaquim Mangala likely to be sold as well, a new defender may not be the worst idea.
Martinez is someone who Guardiola will have seen plenty of during his Barcelona coaching days. Last season, Martinez featured 40 times for Sociedad, scoring 4 and setting up 5 more. He may not be the biggest defender, but is strong in the air and a very good reader of the game. What would appeal more to Guardiola is that Martinez can play as a left-back as well. With Benjamin Mendy as the only recognised left-back in the squad, the Spain international will come in handy.