Manchester City has spent a total of €110.4 million on huge transfers in Erling Haaland (€60 million) and Kalvin Phillips (€50 million).
Other than those two superstars, the Cityzens also acquired a backup goalie in Stefan Ortega for free from Arminia Bielefeld and a striker for the future in Julian Alvarez from River Plate for €17.8 million.
But Manchester City lost a huge blow in their wings after the departures of Raheem Sterling to Chelsea and Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal.
Not to mention the 37 years old veteran, Fernandinho, going home to Brazil for free and Manchester City’s only natural left-back, Oleksandr Zinchenko, also joining Gabriel Jesus at Arsenal. Manchester City has profited €51 million from the transfer market.
Looking at the current depth of the squad, Manchester City still looked to dominate the Premier League. With a goalkeeper powerhouse like Ederson and Steffan Ortega as a backup after loaning Zack Steffen to Middlesbrough.
Ederson is still the main man for Manchester City’s goalkeeper option, as he was able to maintain 20 clean sheets in 37 games in the Premier League with 60 total saves and only conceded 26 goals.
As for Ortega, like mostly Manchester City’s backup goalkeeper, he would end up as a benchwarmer if Ederson were not to be injured.
Especially after his unimpressive season with Arminia Bielefeld. He conceded 53 goals in 33 games although he has the second most save with 128.
On the defensive side, the Cityzens got a defensive juggernaut in Ruben Dias with top-class quality center-backs in Aymeric Laporte and John Stones who would compete for the top spot, and the versatile Nathan Ake who can also operate as a left-back as a backup.
Their wide defender could not get even better with the pair of Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo who are both athletic and pacey. Not forget to mention Manchester City currently targeting Marc Cucurella from Brighton and Hove Albion.
Kyle Walker’s ability to recover and win duels both aerially and on the ground, also his ability to attack accurately to create long ball opportunities and his short passes match perfectly with Manchester City’s slow possession play.
Pairing him with Cancelo who is also great to recover and win duels also his ability to help the offense by spotting open teammates, Manchester City has two great modern wingbacks who fit perfectly with their play style.
On the midfield, I don’t think there are any teams in the Premier League that can compete with Manchester City’s depth.
They have the Belgian superstar playmaker, Kevin De Bruyne who could build-up plays and create key passes and powerful shots.
Not to mention pairing him with Bernardo Silva, another versatile playmaker who could also play as a winger.
With the recent signings of Kalvin Phillips, there would be competition in the defensive midfield position between him and Rodrigo. Not forgetting their backup midfielder in Ilkay Gundogan if he decides not to leave Manchester City.
On the wing, Manchester City has lost a lot of power after the departure of Sterling who has been their prominent option for the left-wing position in the last six years, and Gabriel Jesus who mostly plays as a winger under Pep Guardiola’s position-less offense last season.
But Manchester City still has a superstar in Riyad Mahrez and the versatile opportunity go-getter in Jack Grealish. They also got one of football’s most exciting talents, Phil Foden.
Their wings, even after losing a lot of their key winger, are still a powerhouse that could dominate the wide side of the field.
The forward position would be the most exciting position for Manchester City this season, after last season’s lack of pure striker that would put De Bruyne, Foden, or Grealish in the false nine position, the arrivals of Haaland would strengthen Manchester City’s scoring option.
The young Norwegian superstar have been Borussia Dortmund’s most important player as he scored 86 goals in 89 games, not to mention his tall posture would help Manchester City’s lack of size up-front.
Kevin Pradipta
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