Goodbyes & good buys
What does Pep’s ideal picture for 2021 at the Etihad look like?
BY Manchester City’s own high standards, 2020 was a poor one on the pitch and they will be hoping for much better fortunes in 2021.
Now the January transfer window is open, City can strengthen their squad, get rid of any unwanted players, and even begin talks with any players entering the last six months of their contracts.
Pep Guardiola insists he is happy with his squad and won’t be bringing in any reinforcements this month, but could the ongoing injury issues with Sergio Aguero and recent Covid problems have changed his mind?
Aguero is out of contract in the summer, and any extension will be one of City’s top priorities if they want to keep their record scorer at the club. Eric Garcia is another player out of contract, with Barcelona his likely destination after he informed the club he won’t sign a new deal ( see page 33).
On the pitch, Guardiola will be looking to build on a ten-game unbeaten run at the end of the season to mount a stronger Premier League title challenge, win another Carabao Cup, and do better in the Champions League.
So if everything went City’s way, what would an ideal 2021 look like?
Transfers
In the transfer market, there will be one name on the lips of every City fan when it comes to their ideal signing: Lionel Messi.
The Barcelona a man available for contract ontract talks this month, and he is likely to give ea a clearer indication n on his future plans after the presidential elections el in three th weeks at the th Nou Camp. . City Care ready andd waiting to sign him im ifbo if he becomes available, vailamitment and the commitment of Guardiola for another two se seasons strengthens their position. Any ‘perfect’ predictions of the year ahead will involve Lionel Messi arriving at the Etihad.
Looking more long-term, City need a replacement for Sergio Aguero, who is not an easy man to replace. Keeping Aguero for another season, if he wants to stay, would give the Blues more time to find that replacement, and more time to say goodbye to their record scorer. The search for a striker has to start now. Names like Lautaro Martinez and Erling Haaland have been mentioned as high-profile options - if they were to become available this summer, it’s not inconceivable ble City Cit would make their move and avoid len lengthy recent se searches to r replace key positions. t
The defence is largely settled, although leftback b still seems to be a problem area area, while midfield is an another area that only needs need strengthening if the perfect player comes along.
The league
City go into the new year seven
points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool and United with two games in hand - plus a trip to Anfield to come. No team has yet put a convincing run together to take control of the race, and City are second favourites with the bookmakers despite their current position.
The goal has to be to mount a more consistent run to challenge Liverpool and Manchester United for a title that will be won by the side who best manages the schedule, rather than the best team. City won’t have a free midweek until mid-February if they progress in the FA Cup, so Guardiola must get the most out of his large squad.
At the very least, City should be challenging whoever wins the league more closely than they did last season.
The cups
City are 90 minutes from a fourth consecutive Carabao Cup final, although United at Old Trafford aren’t an easy opponent. Favourable ties in the FA Cup and Champions League last 16 have given the club chance to progress further in the other two cups, providing they go into those ties with a professional and ruthless attitude.
Last season saw disappointing exits in the FA Cup and in Europe, so the least Guardiola will expect of his side is a better attempt at winning those competitions. The Champions League remains the ultimate goal for City, with Guardiola pledging two more seasons after this one to try and bring it back to the Etihad.
The squad
Normally, City have sorted contract issues before players enter the last six months of their deals, with long-term planning ensuring most key players are tied down for a long time.
In summer 2022, only John Stones will be out of contract as it stands - along with on-loan defender Philippe Sandler. Stones will be the next priority to keep after his recent resurrection in defence.
If a new striker and new fullback come in, City’s squad will look in a healthier position this time next year.