Over the past decade, Manchester City have become famous for spending big money to get the players they need. However, the club’s newfound identity is being reorganized. Things were different this summer. Instead of spending more money on the market to buy, Citi got more – by selling.
In addition to the departure of longtime captain Fernandinho, three key members of the squad left the club this summer. The club sold Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko for a considerable sum.
The fact that these players were sold to City’s main rivals embarrassed some, including City’s legendary goalscorer Sergio Agüero, who came out to express surprise at the sale of Sterling to Chelsea. For Jesús and Zinchenko, the relationship between Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola played an important role in this destination.
But perhaps the Etihad Stadium executives didn’t foresee losing the contract of former Brighton defender Mark Cucurella before heading Zinchenko to the Emirates Stadium. Even though he was a valuable member of the team they didn’t want to let go of, they would have thought twice about selling.
With Chelsea deciding to pile on cash to meet Brighton’s demands, City will have to look for alternatives to fill the left-back vacancy. Joao Cancelo has reinvented the game brilliantly in the last two campaigns and filled it out.
However, Zinchenko was always there as a backup when needed. His experience as captain of his national team also made him a valuable member of the team.
With so many games played each season, the team can run very fast. With a few players injured like last season, things can change quickly. It can be very expensive and one could argue it cost City the Champions League last season.
The fact that all six goals were conceded against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals says it all when Kyle Walker wasn’t on the pitch. A reliable right-back missed the first game due to injury. When he returned for the second leg, an injury forced him out again in the second half. Real Madrid suddenly found an opening in City’s defense and he scored three goals in the closing minutes to knock the Blues out of the competition.
The forward line looks stronger with the arrival of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez, but that’s not the case with City’s defense.
Guardiola responded to journalists’ detailed questions that he could use other players at left-back, such as centre-back or young Josh Wilson-Esbrand, if needed. In the middle of a campaign where you don’t have enough body to do so, it can backfire.
John Stones and Aymeric Laporte have suffered long-term injuries over the past few seasons. Ruben Diaz and Nathan Ake were also sidelined last semester.
With Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and even Manchester United all stepping up and becoming more competitive, it could be costly to bring in academy youngsters to compete at key stages of their campaigns. Yes. Liverpool is another matter.
Guardiola and the club hierarchy must still be on the market, especially since Bernardo Silva’s situation is still unresolved. The influential Portuguese midfielder could also leave the club this month as his heart is no longer at Etihad his stadium.
The only reason he’s still at City is that the right offer hasn’t been submitted. Guardiola doesn’t even know if the player will be there by the end of the transfer window. For a team’s key player, that’s not enough. Not replacing him if he leaves can be expensive.
The club, which made good money selling several players on the transfer market this summer, could bring in a few more experienced players before the window closes, just in case. increase.
