Here are three players who could add what Manchester City need in midfield

While Manchester City continue their chase for Champions League football their summer rebuild is coming into view. Pep Guardiola’s squad has the building blocks in place to form the basis of City’s next all-conquering squad. But when you look at the gaps that need to be filled, there are more than one. Here is a look at three midfielders who could add what City’s current midfield lacks. For the sake of the article, this doesn’t include any potential replacements for Kevin De Bruyne or players that could add creativity to City’s attack. This is a look at the players who could improve City’s engine room to revamp an area of the pitch that needs regenerating in Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Adam Wharton

Harry Pratt has previously reported for the Express that Manchester City have an interest in signing Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton. It is also included in Pratt’s report that Crystal Palace would demand at least £60 million to part ways with Wharton.

When looking at Adam Wharton as a player, you can see where he’d fit into Pep Guardiola’s side. Wharton does his best work for Crystal Palace playing alongside a number six. With his wide range of passing and all-around tenacity, he could perfectly complement Rodri in midfield. There is also the possibility of playing Wharton with Rodri and Nico. Nico appears destined to play as a number eight and Wharton could eventually play further in midfield based on his skillset and potential.

Being home grown Adam Wharton is a tantalising prospect for City to sign. If Manchester City have to replace one of Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic or Ilkay Gundogan Wharton could be the player to step into their sizable shoes.

Ederson

Jack Gaughan reported in January for the Daily Mail that Atalanta midfielder Ederson was a target for Manchester City. It remains to be seen if City will move for the Brazilian midfielder in the summer.

But if you were going to replace Mateo Kovacic for example, Ederson could be the player to do just that. He is an energetic midfielder who does the grunt work for Atalanta. Ederson is also technically proficient and is a weapon going forward. The Brazilian midfielder can track back and get forward with pace.

When Kovacic plays a number eight he is at his best for Manchester City. He isn’t as proficient as a six. So if he did leave in the summer he will need to be replaced. Ederson could be the player to do just that. Manchester City need energy in midfield. Especially when you consider how teams typically operate in the Premier League. Ederson could add a new dimension to Pep Guardiola’s midfield. So he does look to be a player that Manchester City should move for this summer.

Tijjani Reijnders

Oliver Fisher has reported for SempreMilan that AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders is a player on Manchester City’s radar. Fisher’s report indicates that Pep Guardiola sees the Dutch international as the perfect player to slot into his midfield. Furthermore, Fisher also reports that Manchester City could be poised to offer €50-60 million for Reijnders.

If Ilkay Gundogan were to depart Manchester City this summer, then Tijjani Reijnders could be the ideal player to replace him. Reijnders is a midfielder who is adept at getting forward from midfield. He is a player who picks out and plays a killer pass and is also a goal threat. In a Manchester City team that needs goals from midfield Reijnders could be the player to provide that. The issue is he recently signed a contract extension with AC Milan, but if the Oliver Fisher report is on the money, then AC Milan may consider selling the Dutch international this summer.

Summary.

If Manchester City could add Adam Wharton, Tijjani Reijnders and Ederson, for example, this summer, City’s midfield would be immeasurably stronger. The possibility that a host of City’s midfielders could depart the club this summer is very real. If they could sign three like Wharton, Ederson and Reijnders they’d add three crucial building blocks to what they already have.