Yesterday the news emerged that Oscar Bobb had suffered a fractured leg and will miss the beginning of the 24/25 season. That is a cruel blow for Manchester City and the young winger. But on the eve of the new season could Bobb’s unfortunate injury force Manchester City’s hand in the transfer market over the coming weeks? That could prove to be the case as Bobb’s injury now sees the champions appear short for options up front over the early stages of the new season.
Oscar Bobb looked set for a major role in Pep Guardiola’s squad during the early stages of the new season. He had played his way into contention for a prominent role at the beginning of the season based on his performances during Manchester City’s pre-season. Now that option is off the table due to the fractured leg he has suffered. This news, coupled with the departure of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid, does now see Manchester City appear short of a player in a key area of the pitch. But will it force City’s hand in the transfer market? That appears to be the question going forward.
Manchester City faced a similar scenario to this last season. They lost Kevin De Bruyne for an extended period due to injury to begin the 23/24 season. But that injury didn’t force City’s hand as they decided not to buy a player to step in for De Bruyne. Instead, they held firm with what they had to navigate the period that De Bruyne was out for. The possibility that City would have had too many players in their squad when De Bruyne returned from injury was also a factor in City’s decision to go in with what they had last season.
Players such as Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez stepped up to cover the loss of the Belgian international. That could happen again at the beginning of this season to cover the loss of Oscar Bobb. Pep Guardiola still has plenty of options at his disposal to play on the right wing. Savinho, Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva can all play that role. But even with that being the case City do now look to be an attacking player short.
READ MORE: Oscar Bobb suffers a cruel blow on the eve of the new season.
Steve Kay has reported for footballtransfers.com that Manchester City are interested in signing Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze. He adds that City also have an interest in Real Madrid winger Rodrygo. A Manchester City move for Rodrygo appears unlikely. However, a Manchester City move for Eze does appear a more realistic option. With Bobb out for an extended period and Julian Alvarez no longer at the club will City move quickly to sign Eze? That could be Manchester City’s play going forward to strengthen their attacking options going forward.
Oscar Bobb’s injury could force Manchester City’s hand in the transfer market this summer. Whether or not that proves to be the case is now something to watch for going forward. There is a case both for and against Manchester City signing another attacking player in the coming weeks. What unfolds from here will shape City’s squad during the early stages of the new season.
