Plenty still to do for Blues this summer
CITY might have already signed Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez, but fans can expect a busy summer of comings and goings now the transfer window is open.
Pep Guardiola knows that in football, to stand still and admire your handiwork is to go backwards and let others overtake you.
Club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said earlier this month City will make at least one additional signing this window, but it also seems likely at least one key member of the squad will depart.
With a number of players entering the final years of their contracts, there’s plenty to sort out this summer. Here’s what City need to do before their new season begins on August 7...
■ SIGN A FULL-BACK
IT’S clear City lack depth in the full-back position, so a new left-back or right-back should be a priority.
The Blues are reportedly interested in Brighton left-back Marc Cucurella, a signing that would free Joao Cancelo up to both play either on the left or as cover for Kyle Walker on the right. It would make sense, especially if Oleksandr Zinchenko decides to leave amid interest from Arsenal.
However, if the Ukrainian stays, then City could target a right-back to provide cover for Walker.
■ BRING IN A VERSATILE MIDFIELDER
THE departure of Fernandinho means Rodri is the only out-andout holding midfielder in Guardiola’s squad. City could be one serious injury away from trouble.
Convincing someone to come to the Blues and sit on the bench behind the Spaniard is a tough sell, so they might instead target a midfielder that can play in multiple positions.
In truth, they already have that in Ilkay Gundogan, but with the German international turning 32 in October and into the final year of his contract, another body in there wouldn’t hurt.
Someone like Frenkie de Jong would be ideal, but United appear to be the frontrunners for the Barcelona man’s signature.
■ SELL GABRIEL JESUS
IN an ideal world there is no way City would sell Gabriel Jesus. Versatile 25-year-old attackers with exemplary attitudes and work ethics like his are hard to come by, but it’s clear the Brazilian needs a move for the good of his career.
With the World Cup on the horizon and another 10 years of elite football ahead of him, he wants a shot at becoming a starting No.9 at a top level club.
Following Haaland’s arrival, that just isn’t an opportunity he’s going to get at City. Jesus has given everything for the club, so the Blues should repay him by affording him the move he clearly wants.
Selling Jesus should bring in at least £40m, a tidy sum.
■ SELL OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO
AGAIN, City are keen to keep Zinchenko, largely because of his positional versatility and incredible technical ability. But as he showed in Ukraine’s recent fixtures, his future lies in midfield, not at left-back.
The 25-year-old has done an exemplary job filling in at an unnatural position, but his talent is clearly wasted on the left side of defence. Should he express a desire to leave then City should not stand in his way – seeing Zinchenko carve up opponents in midfield is a joy, regardless of what colour shirt he’s wearing.
■ ADDRESS CONTRACT SITUATIONS
AS well as Jesus, Gundogan, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez are all out of contract at the end of next season. They all still have plenty to offer the Blues, so persuading them to agree to new terms should be a priority.
Gundogan’s future is arguably the most pressing. Even if City do sign a new midfielder, it can take a couple of seasons for players to fully adapt to Guardiola’s system. Gundogan can help with that.
Sterling is an elite attacking player, and at 27 is in his peak. While Mahrez was City’s top scorer this season, he will be 32 soon and will have Alvarez and Cole Palmer fighting for his spot. If any of the trio should be allowed to run their deals down, it should probably be him.