- 13 hours ago
Man City crisis: Eight transfers to save the season
Robin Bairner
- 27 Nov 2024 04:30 CST
- 5 min read
Manchester City stand in the midst of the first crisis of Pep Guardiola’s reign following Tuesday’s remarkable Champions League draw with Feyenoord.
City finally burst a five-game losing streak but incredibly threw away a 3-0 lead against the Eredivisie side with some wretched defending in the closing quarter of an hour. The implosion took only 15 minutes and has led to serious questions being asked about the mentality of the team.
Guardiola’s men are going through a period of unprecedented turmoil. It appears that City have simply forgotten how to defend, with Josko Gvardiol, in particular, losing any semblance of form and composure. They have now conceded at least two goals in each of their last six games, leaking three times in half of these games.
With Liverpool at Anfield up next, the pain threatens to continue, but with the January transfer window looming, City have the possibility of strengthening their squad and saving their season.
After recent disappointments, Guardiola will be looking to bolster his defence, find an alternative to the long-term injured Rodri in central midfield and potentially provide Erling Haaland with some attacking support as he has scored more than half his side’s 22 Premier League goals this season.
Who could Man City sign in January?
Defence
Ousmane Diomande – Sporting CP
Diomande would add much-needed physicality to the Man City rearguard, offering them assurance with his aerial ability. With Ruben Amorim now at Manchester United, there is a sense that Sporting could be plundered, and the centre-back could be one of the first to leave.
Estimated Transfer Value (ETV): €9.5m.
STATS
Ousmane Diomande
D (CR)
Sporting CP
Ousmane Diomande
D (CR)
Sporting CP
Could the Tottenham defender make a remarkable return to Man City, who allowed him to leave in 2022 for Sporting CP?
Porro ticks numerous boxes for Pep Guardiola’s side, as one would imagine given they signed him previously. Certainly, his technical qualities are something that the Cityzens would love at right-back.
With a contract until 2028 and a large transfer tag attached to him – Spurs signed him for €40m 18 months ago and would want a return on that – this deal seems unlikely.
ETV: €30.6m
Midfield
Martin Zubimendi – Real Sociedad
Close to Liverpool in the summer, Zubimendi wants out at La Real following their indifferent start to the season. City could pounce on this change of heart to attract him to the Premier League.
When Spain lost Rodri to injury in the final of Euro 2024, they called upon Zubimendi, who filled in expertly. Could he do the same at City?
Would likely need to trigger his €60m release fee to secure his signature.
ETV: €32.4m
The young Cameroon midfielder has rapidly won acclaim in the Premier League since his move from Lille, with his ETV shooting up this season accordingly. This will only continue to rise for the ball-winning midfielder who has impressive ball-carrying traits.
City have lacked the type of physicality he could bring to the heart of the team, where he could become a long-term fixture in Pep Guardiola’s plans. There are echoes of Yaya Toure to his game.
Brighton are unlikely sellers, however.
ETV: €23.6m
Previously linked with a move to Man City, the 23-year-old is clearly a player that Guardiola and the City staff admire.
It would be a huge step up for the box-to-box midfielder to fill the void of Rodri, however.
ETV: €15.8m
Current ETV
Samuele Ricci
M (C)
Torino
Samuele Ricci
M (C)
Torino
ETV Range
€11.8M - €19.7M
Attack
Jonathan David – Lille
Out of contract next summer, this could be the last chance for Lille to get any cash for the Canada international forward, who has already scored 11 goals across the board this season.
He is unlikely to become a front line forward at a very top team but his finishing ability and smarts around the penalty box suggest that he could be the valuable alternative to Erling Haaland that is currently lacking.
Arsenal have reportedly made him their January transfer priority.
ETV: €34.7m
Omar Marmoush – Eintracht Frankfurt
Touted in some circles as a possible replacement for Mohamed Salah at Liverpool, the Eintracht Frankfurt attacker has been one of the form players in European football this season. Across all competitions with Eintracht, he has 14 goals and 10 assists – an impressive haul.
This eye-catching form could see City drawn into the transfer race for a player who also scored 17 last term.
ETV: €16.3m
Liam Delap – Ipswich Town
It’s a matter of weeks since Man City allowed Liam Delap to leave for Ipswich – and it’s already appearing that they have got the short end of the deal.
Delap has adapted to Premier League football magnificently in a weak side, scoring six times in 12 games.
City have a buy-back clause in his deal, and while it would be a sign of their desperation if they were to make an offer, these are desperate times for Guardiola’s side.
ETV: €33m
