Man City could boost Gvardiol by signing “the best LB in the world”
Man City could boost Gvardiol by signing “the best LB in the world”
Manchester City are undoubtedly set for another huge transfer window as the summer window of 2024 approaches. After winning just one trophy in the 2023/24 season, Pep Guardiola will be desperate for his side to bounce back as they hunt to reclaim their treble.
Despite winning the Premier League by two points, pipping Arsenal at the final hurdle on the last day of the season, City failed to reclaim their crown in both the Champions League and the FA Cup and were ultimately unsuccessful in their quest to win back-to-back trebles, or a double treble as many dubbed it
In the Champions League, Guardiola’s side were eliminated by Real Madrid on penalties in the quarter-final stage.
The Citizens then fell at the final hurdle in the FA Cup, losing to their bitter rivals, Manchester United, thanks to goals from academy graduates Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo. A goal from Jeremy Doku could not quite claw City back into the game.
Now, in a quest to reclaim all of their titles next season City have begun to look at strengthening their squad over the summer. They have already been linked to one world star.
Man City looking to sign Bundesliga defender
The player in question here is Bayern Munich and Canada left-back Alphonso Davies. The 23-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away in the last few months, with City his latest potential destination.
According to a report from journalist Graeme Bailey, Manchester City and Premier League rivals Chelsea are both “keen” on signing the Canadian, with a move away from Munich a “real possibility”.
With that being said, however, Davies does not necessarily view a move to the Etihad Stadium as his priority this summer. That is because Real Madrid hold keen interest in the 23-year-old, and could make a move for the defender. However, Los Blancos are “waiting on Bayern’s demand” for Davies, and could try and wait it out, given he can be signed for free next summer.
A deal for Davies is likely to cost City a huge amount, probably even more than his value of £51m according to CIES Football Observatory. If they paid this amount, he would be the fourth most expensive defender in the club’s history, after Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte.
How Davies compares to Gvardiol
Davies’ quality is clear to see when watching him. His attacking prowess is second to none, and former United States of America international Alexi Lalas even described him as the “best left back in the world” in 2020.
Indeed, Davies registered six assists, as well as scoring twice in the Bundesliga for Bayern this season, a campaign where he played 29 top-flight games. He also got himself on the scoresheet in the Champions League, in a losing cause against Real Madrid in the second leg of their semi-final clash.a
Davies is a very different type of left-back to City’s first choice, Gvardiol, who was originally signed as a centre-back.
Davies is much more creative than the Croatian, as his stats via Fbref show. The Canadian averages 1.43 key passes per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 18% of positionally similar players in Europe. In comparison, as per Fbref, Gvardiol averages 0.75 key passes per 90 minutes, placing him in the 32nd percentile.
Davies is also a wonderful ball carrier, averaging 5.03 take-ons and 2.92 successful take-ons per 90 minutes, which both rank him in the top 1%. In contrast, City’s current left-back averages just 1.68 take-ons per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the 59th percentile, and 0.99 successful take-ons per 90 minutes ranking him in the 74th percentile.
Davies vs. Gvardiol attacking stats
Stat (per 90)
Davies
Gvardiol
Key passes
1.43
0.75
Take-ons
5.03
1.68
Take-ons completed
2.92
0.99
Stats from Fbref
Perhaps surprisingly to some, the Bayern star also trumps Gvardiol when it comes to out-of-possession work. He averages 7.41 ball recoveries per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 2%. This is largely helped out by the fact he is lightning-quick, making recovery runs quite easy for him.
The Croatia international’s average of 5.62 ball recoveries per 90 minutes ranks him in just the 75th percentile, although he does just pip Davies in combined tackles and interceptions. The City transfer target averages 2.99 per 90 minutes, placing him in the 54th percentile, with Gvardiol’s 3.01 placing him just higher, in the 56th percentile.
Singing Davies does statistically seem to be a big upgrade at left-back for City. He is wonderful going forward and a more than competent defender. It also allows the Croatia international Gvardiol to slot back into his usual centre-back role. Perhaps signing the Bayern Munich number 19 could be the catalyst to help City to another treble next season.
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Barcelona and Real Madrid on Alert as Man City Enters Race for PSG Target
By Eduardo – 31 May 2024, 22:16
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This summer, Bayern Munich standout Joshua Kimmich will be a hot commodity for clubs looking to bolster their midfield. With just one year remaining on his contract, the veteran player is catching the eye of FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and even Real Madrid.
Nonetheless, there’s a new club entering the race for Kimmich. Recently,it was reported that the Bayern Munich board met with the player to discuss his future, considering his current contract expires in 2025.
As a result, the German club must know whether they can extend the player to a new deal or need to sell him so he doesn’t leave as a free agent. The player has suitors, so Bayern Munich can secure a sum for him should they decide to sell.
According to HITC, Manchester City are looking to capitalize on Kimmich’s growing ‘unsettled’ at Bayern following Thomas Tuchel’s reign at the Allianz Arena.
City manager Pep Guardiola led Bayern Munich when they acquired Kimmich from RB Leipzig. Now, he’s excited about the prospect of reuniting with the versatile midfielder at the Etihad Stadium.
Perhaps it will be the Premier League side that comes in late and secures the German player to begin the transfer window.
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31 May 2024, 22:16TAGS BARCELONA BAYERN MUNICH JOSHUA KIMMICH MANCHESTER CITY REAL MADRID
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Man City make first move for £170k-p/w man Guardiola thinks is “incredible”
Manchester City have made a first move for one of their long-term targets this summer, according to reports.
Guardiola preparing for swansong season?
Following the FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United, it was a somewhat muted trophy parade through the streets of Manchester for the Cityzens. Off the back of a treble winning season, they had *just* the Premier League to celebrate this time around, something that they have grown accustomed to in recent seasons with this year being their fourth consecutive title win.
But that could all be set to change soon, after it was reported that this season could be Pep Guardiola’s last in charge of the Etihad outfit. His current contract is due to expire in 2025, and there is widespread speculation that he will opt to step down at that point, while it is around that time that the verdict for the 115 Premier League charges could be made in what threatens to be a massive summer for the club.
As per The Daily Mail, though City would like to keep Guardiola at the club, “multiple sources within the industry and City have openly discussed the prospect of an impending departure over recent months” as the club look to life without the Spaniard.
It means that the 2024/25 campaign could prove to be his last, and there remains plenty of speculation over how his squad could shape up for it with the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Ederson and Bernardo Silva all linked with moves away from the club, while Kalvin Phillips and Sergio Gomez may leave in search of added game time.
As a result, there will likely be plenty of fresh faces this summer, and Guardiola may have been handed the opportunity to strengthen his ranks with a player he is a massive fan of.
Midfielder on the move?
That comes in the form of midfield maestro Dani Olmo, who has been a long-term target for both Manchester City and Barcelona, and who could finally leave RB Leipzig this summer after several transfer windows of speculation.
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Despite still having three years to run on his £170,000 per week deal in Germany, Olmo has a £51m release clause in his contract this summer, and he has reportedly been speaking with current Manchester City star Josko Gvardiol, who swapped Leipzig for Manchester last summer.
While Barcelona are also tracking the midfielder, it is added that Olmo prefers a move to the Premier League, and to that end reports in Spain (via Sport Witness) add that Manchester City have “started to move” to sign the Spaniard, with the Cityzens holding the financial advantage over Barcelona and also able to satisfy Olmo’s desire to play in England.
Dani Olmo’s Bundesliga season
Appearances
21
Goals
4
Assists
5
Progressive carries per 90
3.73
Key passes per 90
1.99
Shot creating actions per 90
3.79
Guardiola has been a long-term fan, admitting that he thought Olmo was a “top player” when his side faced the Spaniard during his time at Dinamo Zagreb.
“He’s a top player—he has a bright future, of course”, he explained. “His performance today shows it. About the transfer and the money he deserves, that is not the point. The point is he is an incredible player and I am pretty sure he is able to play in the strong leagues in Europe. Hopefully if Dinamo wants and he wants, it can happen.”
Now, he may finally get the chance to work with him for a season at least.
Kompany tells Bayern to sign £250k-p/w “top class” Man City man immediately.
Vincent Kompany is keen to use his newfound wealth at Bayern Munich to make a move for one of his former side’s stars this summer, with the Manchester City icon having identified a defender as a priority signing this summer.
Kompany makes shock switch
After suffering relegation with Burnley in a Premier League season in which his side won just five games, a move to Bayern Munich was not what anyone expected for Vincent Kompany this summer.
The Belgian boss, who was previously at Anderlecht and who helped Burnley out of the Championship last season, has been endorsed by Pep Guardiola but struggled to get results at Turf Moor, leaving his side sliding back into England’s second tier just 12 months after leaving it.
That prompted Bayern, who have missed out on a whole host of managers this summer, to come knocking as they look to reverse the Bayer Leverkusen dominance that they suffered this season and that ultimately left them trophyless.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge of FC Bayern. It’s a great honour to be able to work for this club – FC Bayern is an institution in international football”, Kompany said when he was unveiled by the Bavarian giants.
Now, he is already getting stuck in and has reportedly identified his priority signings, including one from former club Manchester City.
Man City star on Kompany’s radar
That comes in the shape of one time teammate John Stones, who has fallen down the pecking order at the Etihad this season.
Suffering an injury-hit campaign, the Englishman made just 12 Premier League starts and was an unused substitute on a further 11 occasions, a dramatic fall from grace from his starring role in the treble winning campaign the year before.
Though he still has two years left to run on his £250,000 a week deal in Manchester, the Englishman has reportedly been considering his options, and may now have been given a way out.
John Stones 22/23 vs 23/24
2022/23
2023/24
Appearances
23
16
Starts
21
12
Total minutes played
1848
1063
% of total minutes played
54%
31%
Games missed through injury
8
7
Stats provided by Transfermarkt
That is because reports from Spain claim that Kompany has made Stones his “priority” this summer as he looks to leave his mark on Bayern, and he believes that Stones’ versatility would make him a “valuable” signing.
The pair know each other well, having played together for several years at the Etihad, and Kompany has been full of praise for his former defensive partner in the past.
“I’ve always said John is one of the most talented defenders. He’s got such a bright future”, the Belgian explained in 2019. “He’s just a top-class defender. If now he gets to play games things will sort themselves out, no doubt.”
With Kim Min-Jae having flattered to deceive at the Allianz Arena, and Dayot Upamecano still error-prone, Bayern have been forced to turn to emergency signing Eric Dier more often than not at the heart of their defence, and though the Englishman has produced some excellent performances, his deficiencies are well known.
Stones would certainly elevate the Bayern backline, though it is unclear whether the club would be willing to pay the fee that City would surely demand for the Englishman this summer.
Micah Richards has just predicted who’s going to win the Premier League in 2024/25… Arsenal or Man City.
Micah Richards has made his prediction on who will win the Premier League title at the end of the 2024/25 season – Manchester City or Arsenal.
The Gunners came ever so close to winning the title last season, but Pep Guardiola’s side proved to be too good in the end. City finished two points ahead of Arsenal and retained their crown.
Mikel Arteta will be desperate to pip his old employers to the title in the 2024/25 season, and Richards has now shared what he thinks will happen.
Micah Richards predicts whether Arsenal or Manchester City will win the Premier League in 2024/25
Arsenal have finished second in two consecutive seasons in the Premier League.
They finished five points behind Manchester City in the 2022/23 campaign and then closed the gap to just two in the following season.
That shows serious improvement from Arteta’s men, but the next step for this Arsenal side would be to win the Premier League title.
Manchester City, as they have done for about a decade now, will start the season as the favourites to win the league next term.
Arsenal will be their main rivals for the title as Liverpool will likely have a year of transition while the other clubs are not good enough yet.
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De Bruyne: My hamstring ‘snapped’ during Champions League final
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ISTANBUL, TURKEY – JUNE 10: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City sits on the ground with an injury during the UEFA Champions League 2022/23 final match between FC Internazionale and Manchester City FC at Atatuerk Olympic Stadium on June 10, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey.
Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne said his hamstring “snapped” in the first half of Saturday’s Champions League final.
The Belgian midfielder was forced to leave City’s eventual 1-0 victory in the 36th minute after initially trying to play through the issue.
“It’s been a hard two months for me, I’ve had a lot of issues with my hamstring. It snapped,” De Bruyne explained to BT Sport’s Des Kelly. “It’s a shame because I felt really good in the first half an hour, and I thought I was doing well, but the team is good enough, and we won, so that’s it.”
City captured the title without their midfield dynamo thanks to a second-half goal from Rodri.
De Bruyne was arguably one of Manchester City’s best players this season, scoring 10 goals and providing 31 assists in all competitions.
The unlucky Belgian international was also forced to leave the 2021 Champions League final early due to injury. He was replaced in the second half as City lost 1-0 to Chelsea on that occasion.
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