Despite Manchester City’s impressive win over Chelsea yesterday it does still appear to be apparent that the champions need to find cover and support for Rodri from somewhere in the transfer market. It looks to be the one pressing area of need in Pep Guardiola’s squad. But based on what Manchester City already have in their squad they need a squad player for the role rather than a big-money signing. That became apparent during City’s win at Stamford Bridge yesterday.
Mateo Kovacic showed yesterday that his more than able to provide what Manchester City need when Rodri is absent. He was superb against Enzo Maresca’s side yesterday. There is also Nico O’Reilly learning his trade this season with the Manchester City first team. What is needed is a player who can come in and be a squad player to complement what the champions already have. A signing in the similar mould of Manuel Akanji would be perfect for the champions. Finding that, however, is a difficult task.
Big-money signings always excite the fans. Nothing is more exciting than seeing a player come into a club with a big reputation and a bright future ahead. That is one of the joys of the transfer market when your club signs a big-name and big-money player. But that doesn’t appear to be what Manchester City need to provide cover for Rodri. An experienced player who would be happy to be a squad player would be the ideal signing for City. A player like Ilkay Gundogan would be the ideal signing for Manchester City. Funnily enough, he has been tentatively linked with a move back to Manchester City in recent days.
Spanish publication Sport has reported that Ilkay Gundogan has sounded out Manchester City about a return to the club. The German international is reportedly unhappy at Barcelona. Furthermore, Sport reports that Manchester City are reportedly keen to re-sign the former club captain. He’d be the ideal player to come into Pep Guardiola’s squad to complement what City have. Whether or not that move eventuates remains to be seen.
It was evident yesterday at Stamford Bridge that Manchester City don’t need a big-money player to come in and provide cover for Rodri. The champions have a strong enough squad as it is. A squad player to compliment what the champions already have would be the ideal signing for City to make. Now it is a waiting game to see if the champions can find that player during the final days of the transfer window.