A Defensive Midfielder And Sanchez To Sign For Man City – Pep Guardiola’s Ideal Transfer Window Explored
Manchester City have made critics, writers and analysts run out of adjectives to describe the way they are playing football this season. They have ended half of the season with 18 wins and a draw, the best run in the Premier League by a margin of three games after they surpassed Arsenal who had won 14 in a row. There is not a single department that hasn’t been showing class, right from Ederson to Kun Aguero and Gabriel Jesus.
They have scored 60 goals this season already, just 26 behind last season’s top scorers – Spurs, and it’s just 19 games gone into the season. The Shark team has been firing on all cylinders, with all their forwards in dazzling form. David Silva has 5 goals and 10 assists this season; Raheem Sterling, who has won more than 10 points for City already all by himself, has 16 goals so far.
The forwards, Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero have been involved directly in goals 32 times. Their defence too has been an absolute armoury as they have just conceded 12 goals this term so far. It is the biggest ever gap between first and second placed teams in Premier League history on Christmas Eve, and not many will be surprised if they win the title with the biggest margin ever.
However, despite the winter wonderland, they are in, the FA Cup and Champions League are around the corner. They might have got a relatively easier opponent in the round of 16 but if they are to play the likes of PSG, Barcelona and Bayern Munich later on, the Cityzens need to be fresh to try to repeat their free-flowing football.
Let’s try and analyse where this almost perfect team can bring in reinforcements to reach better heights and bring more trophies to the Etihad.
Fernandinho has signed a new contract but a replacement would be ideal. Pep loves to play one holding midfielder who sits deep, supplies quick passes and works hard. Gundogan is a quality act but is more of a supporter and a box to box man. So, if Manchester City land a young, bright and energetic talent like Julian Weigl or a sharp tackler mixed with a pinch of creativity like Jorginho of Napoli, they could be in with a chance to win the UCL.
Leroy Sane’s form has dipped drastically in recent weeks. He has been a touch slow on the ball and not up to the mark with his finishing. The German has been a key member for their success but Pep could sign a left winger or a versatile winger who can replace Sterling or Sane whenever fresh legs are required. The prime name on the hotlist is the quick and hardworking Alexis Sanchez, who wants a move out of the Emirates.
Verdict
For a team like Manchester City at the moment, it is very difficult to find spots and areas of improvement. But there needs to be a dictator in midfield. Also, not every game can one expect the wide attackers to outplay defences. Hence, Manchester City need just one winger and a defensive midfielder to maintain the gap and push for the Champions League crown.