‘I believe we made some wrong signings in January’ – Pep Guardiola
Manchester City again turned away interest in James McAtee in the January transfer window, but at Forest he did not even make the squad
McAtee started against Plymouth
McAtee started against Plymouth
For the first time this season, at the 44th time of asking, James McAtee did not make the Manchester City squad. The 21-year-old had previously been the only outfield player to make every single matchday, avoiding injury throughout the campaign and usually given a more prominent role when some of the more established stars have been given some time off.
At Nottingham Forest on Saturday though, there was no McAtee. He had trained all week ahead of the match but hadn’t been deemed one of the best 20 players to make Pep Guardiola’s selection.
He wasn’t missed by many, either. There was no outcry on social media at his absence and Guardiola had Omar Marmoush, Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic on his bench instead to help the team.
It is another frustration for the player though in a difficult season and another instance where it doesn’t look as though the club has made the best decision either for McAtee or for the organisation.
Guardiola fought to keep McAtee with the squad at the start of the season after he had spent two years on loan with Sheffield United, and the youngster was determined to fight for his chance at the Etihad despite interest from elsewhere.
Nobody at City expected the year to go as it has, and instead of adding to a flourishing side McAtee found himself watching from the bench as the manager preferred his trusted stars to try and get themselves out of the slump they found themselves in.
A decisive contribution at Leicester just after Christmas and a hat-trick against Salford in the FA Cup a fortnight later breathed life into McAtee’s campaign, yet also sought to remind other clubs of his talent.
There was interest again from clubs, including Bayer Leverkusen – who City hope to negotiate with to sign Florian Wirtz from this summer.
However, the option of a loan move abroad was closed off by the club and the message as the winter window came to an end was that McAtee was staying.
Even as Nico Gonzalez and Marmoush were signed, Guardiola said of McAtee in a press conference: “He’s going to stay. We don’t have enough players. We have a World Cup at the end of the season. We have a lot of games.
“I think he can play more minutes. There are minutes he has to fight for and continue to fight. I’m really pleased for Macca.
“At the same time, maybe an offer arrives where the club say we have to sell him. My opinion on Macca that I said to the club is clear but it is always the club and the club has to take resources and sell players and it depends on what happens.”
In the nine games since, McAtee has seen more minutes – as well as starts in the FA Cup against Leyton Orient and Plymouth, he has come off the bench five times.
Yet, with injuries in midfield and attack easing, there was no space for McAtee at Forest. Maybe it was a one-off, but it would be much bigger news if the academy graduate was included in the squad at the expense of the more high-profile players who were at Forest.
If there is no change for Brighton on Saturday, McAtee will be left wondering why he was deemed too important to leave at the end of January but not important enough for matchdays by March.
Having turned down another opportunity to make money form a sale in winter or allow the player to add his to value with more regular starts elsewhere, City too may find there is an extra cost for them at the end of the season.
Pep Guardiola is known for his meticulous approach to squad building, ensuring that each player fits within his tactical framework. However, even the best managers sometimes make signings that don’t immediately work out or fail to meet expectations. If Guardiola were to say, “I believe we made some wrong signings in January,” it would spark significant discussion in the football world.
Assessing Manchester City’s January Transfer Business
Manchester City, under Guardiola, rarely make major moves in the January transfer window. They prefer to do their business in the summer, ensuring new arrivals have a full pre-season to integrate into the team. However, when they do dip into the market in January, it’s usually for specific needs—either to cover injuries, replace outgoing players, or secure long-term targets ahead of schedule.
Looking at past January windows, City have made moves such as signing Aymeric Laporte in 2018, a transfer that proved highly successful. But if Guardiola now believes that the club made mistakes in their most recent winter signings, what could be the reasons behind such a conclusion?
Possible Issues with January Signings
There are several factors that could lead Guardiola to believe Manchester City made errors in the transfer market:
1. Lack of Immediate Impact
One of the biggest risks of January signings is that they often struggle to make an instant impact. Unlike summer signings who have time to settle in during pre-season, players arriving in January are thrown straight into the middle of a campaign, where City are often competing in multiple competitions—Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and possibly the Carabao Cup. If a signing has not adapted quickly, it can feel like a wasted move.
If Guardiola is suggesting they made wrong signings, it could mean that the players brought in during January have not contributed as expected. Perhaps they haven’t been able to break into the starting XI or have struggled with the intensity of the Premier League.
2. Tactical Misfit
Guardiola has a very particular style of play, demanding versatility, technical excellence, and tactical intelligence from his players. If a January signing struggles to understand City’s positional play, pressing structure, or build-up patterns, it can make them look like a poor acquisition.
For example, in the past, City have had players who, despite being talented, didn’t fit Guardiola’s system (like Danilo, who was solid but never fully convinced as a City full-back). If a recent signing is experiencing similar issues, Guardiola might feel they made a mistake.
3. Injury Concerns
Another possibility is that the January signings have struggled with injuries. Guardiola prioritizes availability—players who cannot stay fit struggle to earn his trust. If a new arrival has spent more time on the treatment table than on the pitch, it could lead Guardiola to believe that the signing was not the right decision.
City have had unfortunate experiences with injuries in the past—Benjamin Mendy and Jack Grealish both had injury struggles early in their City careers. If a January signing has been plagued by fitness issues, Guardiola may regret the move.
4. Disrupting Squad Harmony
One of Guardiola’s greatest strengths is his ability to build a cohesive squad where every player understands their role. If a new signing has disrupted the balance—whether due to ego, unhappiness with limited playing time, or struggling to integrate into the squad’s culture—it could be viewed as a mistake.
City’s dressing room has remained remarkably stable despite having world-class players competing for limited spots. If a January signing is causing any sort of friction, Guardiola might feel it was the wrong decision.
5. Overpaying for a Player
Guardiola and City’s sporting director, Txiki Begiristain, are generally very careful about spending. However, the January window often inflates prices, forcing clubs to overpay for players who may not be worth the investment. If City spent big on a player who has not justified the fee, Guardiola might be frustrated with the decision.
City’s record suggests they usually avoid this pitfall, but no club is immune to making financial mistakes, particularly in high-pressure situations such as needing an emergency replacement for an injured player.
Recent January Signings: Evaluating Their Performance
If we consider recent January signings, we can analyze whether Guardiola’s hypothetical statement holds weight.
Matheus Nunes (signed in summer but similar concerns): A technically gifted player, but he has struggled to break into the starting XI consistently.
Kalvin Phillips (not a January signing but an example of a misfit): Bought with high expectations but never adapted to City’s system, eventually loaned out.
Julián Álvarez (signed in January 2022 but arrived later): Has been a huge success, showing that City can get January signings right.
If a more recent January signing has followed the path of Phillips rather than Álvarez, Guardiola’s comments would make sense.
How Guardiola and City Can Avoid Future Mistakes
If Guardiola indeed believes that mistakes were made, City’s recruitment team will look at lessons learned. Here’s how they might avoid similar issues in future windows:
1. Prioritize Tactical Fit Over Emergency Needs – Ensuring that any new signing perfectly fits Guardiola’s playing style is crucial.
2. Avoid Overpaying in a Rushed Market – City should continue their policy of being patient and avoiding inflated January prices.
3. Assess a Player’s Mentality and Adaptability – It’s not just about talent; a player’s ability to settle into City’s demanding environment is key.
4. Consider Short-Term Loans Instead of Permanent Moves – If City need cover for an injury crisis, a loan might be a safer option than committing to a permanent deal.
Conclusion
If Pep Guardiola believes that Manchester City made some wrong signings in January, it would likely stem from a mix of the above factors—lack of impact, tactical misfit, injuries, squad harmony issues, or financial overvaluation. While City’s recruitment strategy is generally excellent, even top clubs make occasional missteps.
Ultimately, Guardiola’s ability to adapt and evolve means that City will likely address any issues in the next transfer window. If a signing hasn’t worked out, the club will move quickly to correct the mistake, ensuring they remain competitive on all fronts.
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