The summer transfer window has closed so how does the Manchester City squad shape up after a busy summer? It has been a busy window for the treble winners with 4 players arriving at the club. It has also seen a plethora of first-team players leave the club, and a host of Academy stars depart either on loan or being sold.
Arrivals
The European champions have added quality to their squad this window. Mateo Kovacic, Josko Gvardiol, Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes have all arrived over the summer. Each brings their attributes to Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Kovacic and Gvardiol have already shown their quality in their brief stay at the club. The Croatian pair have already forced their way into the starting eleven. Their technical ability has added an extra bit of quality to the City lineup when in possession. The pair fit in well with City’s gameplan of controlling games through possession.
Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes are both yet to debut for the champions. Doku was on the bench last weekend against Sheffield United and could feature this weekend against Fulham. His dribbling ability and pace out wide is something Manchester City haven’t had since Raheem Sterling left the club for Chelsea a year ago. Whilst he is a tantalizing prospect his raw ability should add to the European champion’s arsenal.
Matheus Nunes arrived at the Etihad on the final day of the transfer window. A deadline day signing from Wolves the Portuguese international should add more quality to Pep Guardiola’s midfield. With Kevin De Bruyne out until into the new year, the purchase of Nunes will help in part to fill the void left by the Belgian maestro’s absence.
Departures
It has been a busy summer for departures at the Etihad. Key pieces of Manchester City’s recent success have left the club on the back of last season’s historical treble.
The squad will be looking to fill the void left by Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez. The pair contributed plenty of goals and assists during their spells at the club. Each player also came up with crucial goals in big games, which will be a loss to Pep Guardiola’s side. The new arrivals and the shift into midfield of Phil Foden may help cover what has been lost with the departures of Gundogan and Mahrez.
Aymeric Laporte also departed the club for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr. The Spanish international was a key player at times during his 5-and-a-half-year spell at City. He was more of a squad player last season as he saw his minutes cut due to injuries and a tactical shift from Guardiola. His spot in the squad has been taken by Josko Gvardiol and the Croatian looks to have slotted in seamlessly into Laporte’s position.
A departure that raised eyebrows was the sale of Cole Palmer to Chelsea. Palmer’s move to the London club came late in the window. With Jeremy Doku arriving from Rennes, it did mean that there would be more competition for Palmer. He had started the season well with 2 goals in his first 3 appearances, but Chelsea’s offer was too good for him and the club to turn down.
Summary
The European champions have strengthened in key positions this summer on the back of last season’s treble-winning campaign. While the losses of key players will be felt, it does appear that City have added the necessary players to maintain the hunger for the 23/24 season and beyond. The squad does appear younger and has a new look with 4 key arrivals.
An interesting spot to watch is who will fill the role Cole Palmer fulfilled. Whilst not a first-team regular the Academy graduate did have a role amongst the squad that needs to be replaced. Oscar Bobb appears the prime candidate to slot into the position left by Cole Palmer.
With a younger squad, and the potential of Oscar Bobb stepping up the champions appear well-placed after the transfer window to defend the crowns they won last season.
