Realistic Signings Man City Should Make to Catch Up With Liverpool
By Jake Purvis
Well, well, well. Liverpool have done it. It is finally their year.
You could debate in the pub for hours over whether Liverpool have stepped up this season or if City have let their foot off the gas, but frankly it's both. The Reds have been mesmerising to watch and even when they haven't played well, they've won.
They may have already won the EFL Cup this season with the Champions League and FA Cup also up for grabs, but City have a lot of catching up to do in 2020/21.
Let's take a look at where City need to improve and the players they could potentially target.
1. Right Back
OK, let's start with the obvious one. City paid £60m for João Cancelo - making him the world's most expensive right back - last August and it's fair to say he hasn't settled in well.
Kyle Walker appears to be on the wane, with more and more mistakes creeping into his game, while he has also made headlines for some of his off-field activities.
Potential Signings
It's probably time for Pep to look at younger players with potential, much like Liverpool with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Chelsea with Reece James. Max Aarons has proved himself at the top level and will want to stay in the Premier League if Norwich are to be relegated.
PSG's Denzel Dumfries could be a big signing for City. The 23-year-old is an all-round modern right back and could easily grow into Pep's style of play.
2. Left Back
Benjamin Mendy is not a terrible full back, but he certainly hasn't repaid the £52m City forked out for him. His role in Christian Pulisic's strike in the Chelsea defeat was also pretty poor.
A lack of options elsewhere highlight the problem, with Oleksandr Zinchenko still hit and miss, so City undoubtedly need to strengthen here.
Potential Signings
Valencia's José Gayà could be an interesting target for Pep. He's earned plenty of admirers in Spain, and City might not be put off by the fact he signed a new deal earlier this year.
Ajax's Nicolas Tagliafico may be into his late 20s but the Argentine has experience in domestic dominance and could be brought straight in without the need for development.
3. Central Midfield
City's midfield is absolutely brimming with world-class playmakers, but one puzzle piece has been missing this season. Somebody who gets the team going, somebody who does all the simple things well and flies under the radar; somebody like Jordan Henderson.
Rodri usually has no issues against lesser teams when his side are 5-0 up, but there are still doubts over his quality against top level sides, while Fernandinho has often had to fill in at centre back.
Potential Signings
Espanyol's Marc Roca is one of the best young deep-lying midfielders in the world. He's defensively superb, diligent and can be both a facilitator and instigator.
At just 22 years of age, Pep could mould him into one of the world's best.
4. Wingers
The headline news around City's transfer activity has been the future of Leroy Sane. The Germany international will leave the club at the end of his contract, with Bayern Munich said to be the frontrunners.
Sterling is obviously the favoured left winger for Guardiola so this area isn't in dire need of improvement, but given the manager's love of rotation, another body might be handy.
Potential Signings
City have been constantly linked with Real Sociedad winger Mikel Oyarzabal. The 22-year-old is known for his impressive work rate and dribbling, but will need to build up his physicality if he is to thrive in the Premier League.
Elsewhere, Bayer Leverkusen's Leon Bailey has been touted for a move to the Etihad. A quiet few seasons following his breakout 2017/18 campaign may have seen his price tag drop considerably.