Manchester City look to reload and challenge for all major trophies in 2018-19. Here are five players they should sign this summer.
For the third time this decade, Manchester City have won the Premier League title. Pep Guardiola’s second season amazed everyone, as his men destroyed all who stood before them on their way to 100 points and a league title. It was unlike anything we’ve seen, with many suggesting this team was the best Premier League team ever.
With Carabao Cup success to boot after beating Arsenal 3-0 at Wembley, not many City fans would’ve wanted anything more than two trophies this season. However, expectations are now as high as ever, especially after seeing the few disappointments City went through this season.
Losing 1-0 to then third-tier Wigan (now promoted to the Championship) in the 5th round of the FA Cup was dispiriting after reaching the semifinals the previous year. Moreover, losing to Liverpool in the quarterfinals of the Champions League 5-1 on aggregate was more alarming. As a result, Jurgen Klopp is now seen as City’s — and mostly Guardiola’s — kryptonite, and are now looked as City’s main title rivals next season.
Having said all that, this summer is crucial if Manchester City are to challenge for all four major trophies — Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Champions League. As currently constructed, this squad is good enough to defend their domestic title, but it’s in Europe where City have to deliver.
Their front three of Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero/Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling are scary, but the wingers have played a lot of games this year, so some signings could be needed. Club legend Yaya Toure has left the club, and Fernandinho just turned 33 this month and is unlikely to be able to play so many games again. Benjamin Mendy signed last summer, but ruptured his ACL and is hoping to regain fitness and form at the World Cup.
So who could City bring in? Here are five players they should consider.
5. Jorginho
If there’s one thing Pep Guardiola likes, it’s a midfielder who takes care of the ball and doesn’t waste possession. The Brazilian-born Jorginho is one of the very best at his position, a metronome capable of keeping the ball and spreading it around, as Squawka Football points out:
https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/999375992006340608
Much of that is down to Maurizio Sarri’s fantastic man-management and tactical acumen. During his tenure, Jorginho was Napoli’s most important player tactically due to his ability to spray the ball to the likes of Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne. At 26, he’s in the perfect age to enter his prime and score a big-money move to one of Europe’s big clubs.
That’s where City come in, with all the money and resources necessary to clinch any transfer they want. As it stands, Jorginho looks set on a move to England, according to The Sun‘s Martin Blackburn.
Guardiola will only need to take a quick look at his midfield department and know there are worries there. Fernandinho, who was team’s main holding midfielder, is no spring chicken at 33 years old and played 50 games this season, it’s unlikely he’ll do that again. Yaya Toure has recently left the club while Ilkay Gundogan is better as a box-to-box midfielder than a holding type.
The one negative with Jorginho is that he’s not tall, meaning he’ll lose many aerial duels against opposing strikers. But that’s being picky, as the Brazilian was crucial to Napoli taking 91 points in Serie A this season. He’s the man that makes them tick, and Guardiola wants him to make City tick.
If there’s one player City need most, it’s Jorginho.