Man City have a big transfer problem – but there are four proven solutions
Manchester City face a pivotal run-in, just not for the usual reasons as they chase Champions League qualification and a solitary piece of silverware.
Pep Guardiola’s squad were out of the Premier League title race months ago while they never really threatened to be a force in Europe this term. The Carabao Cup exit at Tottenham on October sparked a slump that has now extended to 15 defeats in 30 games.
It means the top four and the FA Cup are the revised City aims, with neither a guarantee. It also means City must address a host of issues in the transfer market come the summer.
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City began their rebuild in January when spending £180million on new recruits. But Vitor Reis and to a degree Abdukodir Khusanov, are for the future even if the latter has been thrust into the role of first team regular in recent weeks. Nico Gonzalez and Omar Marmoush are first team ready but with the caveat of having never played in the Premier League. Both will require time to adapt to English football and the demands of Pep Guardiola and the duo are coming into a City side struggling for form and confidence.
By the time next season rolls around, the quartet should be further along their City path and City will be better for it. But more help is required.
The Blues have several questions that need answering and several players falling below the standards required and on who decisions must be made.
It means Guardiola will need to spend again in the summer. Goalkeeper and right back will likely be on the shopping list while midfield has been the main contributing factor for City’s dire season. The return of Rodri will naturally help but the Spaniard cannot carry a team alone and he is on his way back from a serious knee injury, it’s naive to expect him to immediately pick up from where he left off.
One factor City must take into account with their summer spend is Premier League experience. It allows for an easier transition and while it might result in a mark up in price, right now City need that mark up in quality.
And there are players out there. Adam Wharton at Crystal Palace is an England international and looks to the manor born at Selhurst Park. Carlos Baleba at Brighton would be another midfield masterstroke while West Ham pair Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus would both strengthen the City XI.
That quartet would be costly, but they are all eminently achievable targets with only Baleba playing for a top half club. For al City have succeeded with succession in the past with Ederson and Rodri examples of world class talent who arrived without the pricetag or fanfare of world class players, right now it is an immediate impact that is required.
