Pep’s the head-hunter to Ten Hag’s gatherer
MANCHESTER CITY are the big winners so far this summer.
It won’t be any surprise as to who the losers are.
Yes, the Premier League pot has only just been plonked in the Etihad’s trophy cabinet and already the challenge being mounted this season looks stronger.
Boss Pep Guardiola may have won the latest competition by the skin of his teeth – but those in charge of recruitment aren’t taking their foot off the pedal.
Logic
There’s a plan. You can follow the logic in all of it.
Twelve months ago, all the talk was about Harry Kane.
Manchester City needed a striker – and still won the league.
That situation has been rectified with Erling Haaland. Wow!
If it’s only for two years, so what?
By then, Julian Alvarez should be
up to speed. If his promise turns into genuine A-list talent in front of goal, the Norwegian’s exit won’t be missed.
It’s the same with other positions. Solid decisions.
Kalvin Phillips arrives because Fernandinho left.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has moved to Arsenal, with Brighton’s Marc Cucurella likely to take his place.
And, while Raheem Sterling might give Chelsea decent service, it’s difficult to see why Manchester City would turn down almost £50million when they’ve got Cole Palmer waiting in the wings.
It’s all ordered. A thought process is being followed.
Success and cash should allow any club to march on – with strengthening in some areas and shifting players who don’t fit the bill any longer.
Contrast this with what’s taking place at Old Trafford.
Sure, there have been incomings.
Christian Eriksen will find a home to showcase his talent. Proven quality. At nil cost. A big tick next to that piece of business.
Arrival
Elsewhere, Tyrell Malacia (below, right) arrived to rival Luke Shaw at left-back. Or is it Alex Telles? Three left-backs?
Fellow new arrival Lisandro Martinez (below) is at home as a left-sided centre-half. Bought to rival Harry Maguire, who only joined three seasons ago – for £80m. That’s over £125m to find a decent stopper.
Frenkie de Jong is holding out for some outstanding cash from Barcelona, if the rumours are to be believed.
If the Dutchman signs, that’s another £70m bill that will land on the doormat.
Don’t forget, it’s only three weeks ago the club wrote off £89m after deciding not to renew Paul Pogba’s deal.
And now they want to throw one of Barca’s cast-offs into the mix.
Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata and Dean Henderson have all left - the latter on loan - and big money was paid for them all.
And we still don’t know whether grumpy pants Cristiano Ronaldo is returning.
Now, new boss Erik ten Hag has ordered another striker off the menu.
At what cost this time?
There’s hardly anyone in that squad list whom you would swap for one of Guardiola’s.
The gap last year was 35 points.
It seems the two clubs are now playing in different leagues.
And the goingson in the recruitment department merely suggest that, if anything, the chasm between the two is
widening.