Football: Pep’s Manchester City Overhaul

Pep Guardiola is well known for his no-nonsense transfer policy and his ruthless ability to pick up the best players in the world. Right now he is getting ready to storm to the Premier League title next season.

The first of the ex-Barcelona manager’s big-money signings was confirmed as Monaco midfielder Bernardo Silva, who is expected to cost Manchester City around £60m. Putting aside the arrivals, Guardiola has also done what several City managers didn’t have the guts to do. He has let go some of the loyal players who have been holding the team down for some time. Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy, Willy Cabalero and Jesus Navas were all axed on the same day.

The 46-year-old recognised the fact that all four showed serious shortcomings last season and decided they were not worth keeping. There are going to be more exits at the Etihad with Fabian Delph, Samir Nasri and Kelechi Iheanacho all expected to be shown the door.

Guardiola’s plan is to overhaul the entire team apart from a handful of players, which is a ruthless approach that The Sky Blues have needed for years. City’s board did not want to admit that the reason the club has struggled in the Champions League is that it has an ageing squad incapable of competing at the highest level twice a week. Winning the Champions League has clearly been the club’s biggest priority in the last few seasons. For next season, expect the City line-up to consist of at least five new faces and don’t expect your “favourite” player to be running around every week.

There will be a lot of transfer movement from Manchester City but the ex-Bayern manager will stick with his long-term approach on the pitch next season. There were times during this last campaign when you could see what the Spanish manager has been working on with the team.

The occasional false-nine role played by Sergio Aguero, with one winger tucked in next to the centre-midfielders and the other stretching the pitch was pretty much the only reason Raheem Sterling got a game! Leroy Sane was a revelation as he almost replicated the Thierry Henry-type of player that Pep loves; direct, quick and happy to take chances. In midfield he seems to have found his Iniesta in Kevin De Bruyne, excellent on the ball and with a killer touch to unlock defenses.

The one area where they still lack quality is at the back. Kyle Walker is expected to arrive which would be the perfect Guardiola signing; a full-back with speed and a dangerous right foot. On the other side, I believe he will stick with Alexander Kolarov as he seems to like his vicious left foot but also his inability to defend, as crazy as that sounds.

Guardiola likes to press the opposition with every player, often leaving one defender alone at the back against a striker as that forces the opposition into a third of the pitch which is where City will look to damage teams. Someone like Kolarov is his ideal defender as he can get forward and when the ball comes to him he can play a deadly pass or have a strike on goal.

In short, Guardiola wants all his players to be attacking threats apart from one centre-back and normally one midfielder, which at Barcelona were Pique and Busquets. The Etihad crowd will be treated to a feast of goals next season, and if Guardiola gets his way in the transfer window they should also enjoy a couple of trophies.

 

by Nubaid Haroon  YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCtMg-fWm7awR41vM1GhVOkA  Twitter: twitter.com/rambofyi

 

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