With Manchester City heading into the final stretch of the season, we have a good amount of evidence to look back on and work out a plan for the summer transfer window. No football midweek for them so a good time to fit this preview in! A lot of the issues stem from the recruitment last year so the club will no doubt be focused on putting that right again this window.

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Previewing Manchester City 2024 Summer Window - Part 1

Here is a look at our players in each position, including those that cover multiple. On the surface we would say the team is quite well covered due to the versatile nature of our players and system employed. But once you look into the minutes, injuries and suspensions this season, a few holes come up quite quickly.

Earlier this month we put together a sheet that broke down all the players minutes by game, highlighting the rotation and impact of injuries. Also a table at the bottom showing total minutes compared to previous seasons, included below.

General Thoughts

• Stefan Ortega could be consider a move elsewhere or extending his stay with Manchester City.

• When John Stones was out, City immediately had less options a the back when it came to their build up and passing on the ball. Gvardiol can provide that centrally but seems to be earmarked for LB along with Ake.

• Kyle Walker has become the leading RB for the team but does that continue into next season?

• Rodri is without an able cover for starters and more so there is an issue of stretching him too thin. Having to contribute more offensively whilst struggling to maintain his defensive duties and recycling the ball.

• If you want to move Foden centrally full time you need to bring in players at right wing.

• City have not replaced the ‘Gundogan role’ in the team.

Attacking Midfielder

Going for a creative attacking midfielder for me would be the wrong option, pointed that out in this thread linked below. Come 2025 with KDB approaching the end of his contract makes much more sense. If we don’t solve our other issues in midfield then next season will only see us repeat the same mistakes.

Realistic

It’s important to note that transfers have to be realistic for City this summer. That’s means first of all City will not be spending £100mil on four different positions. Home grown is a factor, using the academy is a factor, blocking pathways to other talents (Rico Lewis & Oscar Bobb) is a factor. City would be stupid to ignore deals as well, with many teams needing sales for FFP in the Premier, that will open up more doors. Guardiola is also pushing for a tight squad even though the demand of games will increase next season with the new Champions League format and Club World Cup.

Right let’s get into it with the outgoings. 👇

Outgoings

• Bernardo Silva has a release clause in his contract for the summer and is one you’d expect to finally get his move this window. Personally feel like this one would be the right time for him and the club. City can then move for an #8 and RW to replace him.

• Stefan Ortega has made his desire to be number one clear along with his talents every time he’s stepped up. Clearly City got an incredible deal by picking him up for free, will get a good price if he is sold and more value if he extends to be our number two for more seasons. Likely that someone comes in for him in the summer, that’ll be why he has not extended yet and seeing his options.

• Sergio Gomez has had a couple seasons now with pushing for minutes, young talent that isn’t quite cut out for this team but can do elsewhere. Behind both Gvardiol and Ake now.

• Joao Cancelo through a sale or loan will stay away from Manchester City this summer.

• Kalvin Phillips on loan at West Ham will likely be moved on in the summer, failing to earn a regular spot or role within the team.

• James McAtee I think will be on the cards for a move this summer, his spell as Sheffield United has not been ideal for his development but he has shown in glimpses his talent. No clear pathway for him at City either.

• Micah Hamilton has ability but is behind a stacked group of forwards and wingers. A loan to the right club in Europe would be a no brainer for him and the club to take.

• Taylor Harwood-Bellis is doing very well on loan at Southampton and has a buy option if they get promoted (currently 4th). If not then I am sure there will be plenty lining up for him in the Premier League.

Midfield

Manchester City need a midfield starter in the summer that is influential in multiple phases, good in duels and mobile next to Rodri. Another outlet when winning the ball. Disciplined out of possession, in their position and sitting in a block. How you approach that is to find Rodri a partner or a ‘Gundogan’ replacement.

A - Find a Partner

For this route you have to bare in mind Kovacic gives us an option next to Rodri so are we just buying a premium version that isn’t absolutely needed.

Joao Neves (19) has the ability to play as the partner to Rodri, be influential in all phases and develop his game offensively. (rumored £100mil release clause) 

Alan Varela (22) is another one who has impressed in the Champions League this season. Can grow into a lone six role like we have seen Rodri perform, providing cover and also work alongside him to pick up defensive duties. Here is a thread we did on him. (rumored £60mil release clause)

B - ‘Gundogan Replacement’

Lucas Paqueta (26) is a creative passer in the final third, duel winner, strong physically and has the defensive disciplined needed in midfield. Exceptional under pressure, flexible in different roles and brings a tenacity to the midfield City lack. (rumored £85mil release clause)

Bruno Guimaries (26) is the other option in the Premier league who can play deeper or higher up in central midfield. Immense passing range to break lines and knows when to change up the tempo with his passes. Can provide switches of play. Aggressive and competitive out of possession to regain the ball, quick to cover the ground and mean in tackles. (rumored £100mil release clause)

Another player to mention in this conversation is Rico Lewis and what the club see internally as his pathway into the team. Is he earmarked as a midfielder or a full back. Is Mateo Kovacic going to move back slightly as a rotation/depth option instead as he has been mostly used this season. Matheus Nunes heading towards the wing or staying central?

Wingers

The past summer saw the arrival of Jeremy Doku to rival Jack Grealish for a spot on the left wing, adding depth. Savio has been confirmed to join City in the summer, heading onto pre-season tour and an assessment will made on his future. If City are expected Bernardo Silva to depart, who covered both right wing and eight, whilst also wanting to push Foden into playing a role centrally then another winger should be considered.

Included below is a thread we did on Savio and his breakout season in La Liga so far. One of the most talented U21 players in the world and he could provide beautiful lobbed crosses to Haaland all game long. One to watch in pre-season. There is also the possibility of a loan, links suggest City could send him back out to Girona for another season.

One of those options that City could look at inside the Premier League is Pedro Neto, covered in our thread below. Understandable concerns over his injuries but the same could be said for Haaland before arriving. The system and style of player at City won’t demand him sprinting up the flank all game long like has done at Wolves. (rumored fee of £60-80mil)

Oscar Bobb has played on either side this season and in the middle, continuing to use him as a utility player for the team would be best for his development getting time in a few positions. The question becomes how much you trust him to be a regular if you want Foden to move centrally, some of your options look like this.

A) LW - Grealish/Doku RW - Savio/Bobb (Foden cover in extremes)
B) LW - Grealish/Doku RW - Neto/Savio (Bobb utility for both flanks)
C) LW - Grealish/Doku RW - Foden/Savio (Bobb utility for both flanks)
D) LW - Grealish/Doku RW - Neto/Foden (Bobb utility for both flanks, Savio loaned out)

where you see Neto can be replaced by another RW target

Matheus Nunes becoming a winger is another option to consider given his use there by Guardiola in recent away games. A talent no doubt but has yet to find his place in this team.

Defenders

A couple different options you can take on adding to the back line, whether you go after a right back or central defender. With Walker coming towards the end of his career there is an option for a young player to start coming through in that position. Looking for a player that can provide what Gvardiol and Ake do on the left.

Right Back

Manuel Akanji was fantastic for the team in the 22/23 season and offers more to the team on the ball at RB than Kyle Walker does. What would make more sense to me is moving him back to the right ahead of Walker and looking at a talented central defender to arrive. An internal option that reduces Walker minutes but still delivers all we need.

Malo Gusto (20) is the one player that if available City should pay up a big fee for. As he’s shown for Chelsea this season, he’s got the right mix of defensive awareness and consistent final third actions City would need at RB. Offers options in the build up for switches and quick one-two passes.

Arnau Martinez (20) is a well rounded right back who can also slot in at centre back. Fitting of the role City would put him in under Guardiola and perhaps more suited to us than the other RB at Girona, Couto. Can turn well on the ball, composed and able to escape a press. Dangerous at crossing. Strong in the air despite his height.

Yan Couto (21) is an internal option Manchester City could look into but would be a departure from the set up seen at LB or the defensive strengths of Kyle Walker. He would providing incredible threat going forward but has questions over his defensive contributions. Same applies to Jeremie Frimpong who also adds an offensive threat with his ball carrying up the flank.

One quick mention is Benjamin Pavard who is having a very good season with Inter Milan and was rumored to be on the table should Walker make the move to Bayern Munich. In hindsight, perfect for our system at RB and providing CB cover.

Center Back

Now, if you are going to move Akanji over to take the RB spot with Walker then a talented and young central defender would have the minutes to play but the protection of more senior players in front. Here are a few options that stand out.

Mika Marmol (22) is one of those option for a central defender Manchester City have been linked to. Also at Las Palmas with Perrone, a left footed center back that is able to play left back. Strong, agile and a solid tackler. Reliable in closing passing lanes and winning the ball. Comfortable in possession as well, providing forward passes and dribble out from the back.

Jarred Branthwaite (21) could be of interest to City at the right price, comfortable playing either side and a physical monster. All the attributes to be molded by Guardiola into a top central defender.

Alessandro Bastoni (24) who plays for Inter Milan, as many would remember from the Champions League final is an exceptional defender on the ball that might end up costing too much for City’s liking.

Giorgio Scalvini (20) who plays for Atalanta is another option in Italy known for his ability on the ball, important in the build up for his side. Strong physical attributes along with his awareness defensively allow him to be clean and tenacious winning balls.

Leny Yoro (18) is seen as the next rough diamond coming out of Lille, another physical monster and has become a regular in the team. Composed, calm on the ball and the technical ability to pass in all directions. The rough tag coming from his overconfidence and rash decision making.

Piero Hincapie (22) is a name City have been linked with, part of the successful season Bayer Leverkusen are having. Comfortable with the ball at his feet, competitive in slide tackles and duels.

Internal Options

Rico Lewis is another internal consideration this time for defense, how does Manchester City see him progressing in the future? Utility player for us at full back when it’s needed but long term they need to push him in one direction.

Callum Doyle has had a series of loan spells in the Championship and League One. Impressing and developing in each season. Fits the type of player we would want in our system at LB/LCB, suited to the role Gvardiol is playing and would be a home grown internal option. If not then I am sure there will be plenty of suitors in the summer to buy or loan him out within the Premier League.

Other Players

Maximo Perrone is on loan at Las Palmas this season in La Liga, making progress getting into the team and developing his skill set on the pitch. A skill set that would fit what we are missing next to Rodri. Sitting deeper to win possession, maintain the tempo and recycle the ball. An internal option rather than outside at a premium. Here is him compared to Kovacic.

Here is a thread we did on him earlier this year.

Jacob Wright is a player we feel won’t be a solution next season but will making an impression in pre-season. The glimpses shown on the pitch with substitute appearances make him worth taking to the USA. Here is a thread we did on him.

That’s all for part one, in the next issue we will look at the possible solutions based on the options provide above. How those teams will shape up for the coming 2024/25 season.

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