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What do Manchester City need in the transfer window? We look at their strengths and weaknesses

Manchester City transfer update: What do Premier League champions City need to do in the summer transfer window? We take a look in our pre-season feature Got, Got, Need

By Paul Higham

Football

Fri June 21, 2019 · 5y ago

It's a case of what do you get the team that has everything with Man City's summer list, but we've picked out a few areas Pep Guardiola will be looking at.

They won the league, again, got a huge points tally, again, but failed in the Champions League, again! Manchester City seemingly have it all, but don’t for one second think they’ll not be spending again this summer...

Got: Kevin De Bruyne back

De Bruyne was Man City’s best player the season before last, but only managed 11 Premier League starts in the last campaign as he struggled with a number of injury problems. He still showed flashes of brilliance when he did play but that’s a big loss for any team.

Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City celebrates

Kevin De Bruyne can be a big boost if fit for Manchester City next season

City, however, managed pretty well considering but there’s no doubt that having a fully fit De Bruyne available more next season will be a huge plus for Guardiola as he goes in search of a third straight title.

A fully fit De Bruyne will also be crucial if City are to finally make their mark in the Champions League this year, which must be the club's aim after confirming their domestic dominance.

Got: That air of invincibility

To get 100 points in a season was incredible, to then back that up by getting 98 to following year, holding off a record effort from Liverpool and closing with 14 wins in a row was truly remarkable.

Anyone who watched a lot of City last season know that their exploits over the last two years means a lot of teams facing them are beaten before a ball is even kicked. If nothing else more defensive game plans are being used against them than anyone else and while playing against packed defences can be tough for some, dominating possession and creating space lies right in City’s comfort zone.

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You can’t really underestimate the impact their domination has had psychologically on the rest of the league, they’re on the front foot from the first whistle and most teams play them, home or away, expecting nothing and just trying to keep the score down or pinch a point.

They’re getting to the point of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in their glory days and that’s a huge weapon to have in your arsenal in the Premier League.

Got, Got, Need!

Need: Replace Vincent Kompany

The departing City skipper may have just won his side the league with his 30-year thunderbolt against Leicester, but his value is much more than just that strike of a lifetime as he was the club’s leader both on and off the field.

Players and ex-players will often talk of these leaders – players who set the standard for the rest to follow, to keep pushing to get the very best and always hold the rest of the team accountable. That’s a huge void to fill this summer.

🔵🏆 Vincent Kompany lifts Manchester City's 12th trophy in nine incredible seasons!

👏 And their captain fantastic has been at the club for every one! pic.twitter.com/oCJW7iVct1
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) May 18, 2019

David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho and Kevin De Bruyne have all worn the armband before but there’s not one definitive first choice among them and all have age or injury question marks around them. Kompany himself identified Bernardo Silva as a future captain but it may be too soon for the Portugal international.

Replacing Kompany at centre back is another issue, Laporte and Stones are the two starters you’d think right now but there's enough of a worry about Stones to suggest Guardiola might try and bring in another defender to bolster his ranks.

De Ligt would be the obvious choice, but others seem more interested right now, and Harry Maguire could be the logical solution to partner him with his international team-mate Stones.

Dream signings

Matthijs de Ligt, Kalidou Koulibaly, Neymar

This dream section is largely irrelevant for City fans given they can buy whoever they want financially in terms of transfer fee or wages, and with Guardiola at the helm they're one of the most attractive prospects in Europe. De Ligt just doesn't seem like an option right now, while Napoli stopper Koulibaly would cost even more than the Ajax skipper.

Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt is a wanted man this summer

Neymar is a cheeky one but if we're talking dream scenarios then why not? He's at odds with PSG and has even threatened to go on strike, leading to him being linked with a return to Barcelona. With so much talent but with an obvious temperament issue, who better to get the very best out of him than Guardiola - who will be desperate to win the Champions League next season and a huge signing like this may just tip the balance.

Realistic signings

Rodri, Harry Maguire, Declan Rice, Joao Cancelo

Spanish midfielder Rodri looks like a done deal with City's transfer record set to be broken with his £63m signing at some point this summer. It says something about City that 60-odd million pound signings are realistic options but that's how far they've come as a club. If Rodri can, as Guardiola hopes, become the replacement for 34-year-old Fernandinho then he'll be worth every penny.

Portuguese full-back Joao Cancelo is also thought to be heading to the Etihad from Juventus.

Declan Rice is perhaps a more underwhelming name than some, but the West Ham youngster is so highly-rated and he'd no doubt flourish under Guardiola's guidance. If he could join City and learn under both Pep and Fernandinho then he could turn into a genuine talent.

Harry Maguire has the look of a transfer that will run and run until the deadline but City must be big players in the market for the Leicester man.