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After playing eight games this season in the Premier League, twenty players had featured for Manchester City as Pep Guardiola made full use of his talented squad of players. They certainly don’t seem to be lacking in strength and depth throughout all positions, so do they really need to strengthen in the January transfer window?
After such huge spending in the summer and particularly to strengthen the defensive options, there might not seem to be any need for further additions at the back. Getting goals is clearly not a problem either, and whilst some teams are reliant on one or two key players to hit the back of the net, City already boast four players amongst the top ten scorers in the Premier League, showing just how lethal their firepower is.
Chelsea might be the reigning champions and were backed to have another strong campaign, but it’s looking increasingly likely that this year’s title race will be fought out in the north, as Manchester’s two major powers do battle for silverware.
Mourinho and Manchester United also made changes in the summer, splashing out to sign Romelu Lukaku from Everton and the Belgian seems nailed on with bookmakers to win the Golden Boot. However, there are lingering doubts with bookmakers and fans alike, that the Red Devils might not have the consistent quality and depth of available talent, compared to the Sky Blues across town.
The recent 7-2 thrashing of Stoke City further underlined the title credentials of Manchester City, highlighting exactly why they’re now the firm 2017-2018 Coral favourites to win the Premier League. Meanwhile at Anfield in the most boring of 0-0 draws, Manchester United's odds began to lengthen further with Mourinho seemingly content for his side to sit back, rather than take the initiative. A lack of enough depth in his squad, perhaps?
Solid and secure at the back, controlling and creative in the middle, potent and pacy out wide, astonishingly accurate in attack; it’s difficult to think of anyone that could genuinely improve the stellar array talent Guardiola currently has at his disposal. However, that doesn’t stop the rumours that his club could splash out again when the January transfer window opens.
It’s no secret that Guardiola is an admirer of Alexis Sanchez, who was the subject of a blockbuster £60 million deadline day bid, but that fell through because Arsenal couldn’t secure the services of his replacement, Thomas Lemar. The clock is ticking for the Gunners and with the Chilean international out of contract next summer, even Arsene Wenger has admitted “it’s possible” Sanchez could be departing the Emirates for the Ettihad if the player can’t be convinced to stay.
Meanwhile, Guardiola is apparently looking for a Busquets-esque midfield enforcer and reportedly has his sights set on Borussia Dortmund man, Julian Weigl. The excellent progress of the 22-year-old has also attracted the attention of Barcelona, according to rumours in Spain, but the young German recently signed a new deal with his current club and a January move seems unlikely.
City might be tempted by another move for Alexis if Arsenal become desperate to sell, or they could play hard-ball and simply wait until he’s available for free next summer. Likewise, any immediate move for Weigl may depend on whether Barca force their hand with a firm move in January. So what’s the most urgent need for the good of the team?
Well, he usually likes to play his transfer cards close to his chest, but Guardiola has admitted that he does want a replacement for Benjamin Mendy. The prospect of the Frenchman being out of action until next April, following knee surgery, is certainly a more pressing need and the City boss doesn’t seem entirely convinced with the existing backup options. For that reason, it seems a search for another left-back will be the top priority in the next window.
Written by Ketan Patel
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