Manchester City: Can the Blues strengthen their squad this January?

Manchester City’s formidable form has earned them the record for the most consecutive wins in the Premier League, this is no feat that can be earnt with an average squad.

Pep Guardiola has built a fantastic team and by all accounts, proving himself to be one of the best managers in the world after many thought he would struggle with the intensity and physicality of football in England.

Usually teams are looking to strengthen their squad within the January transfer window, or make the foundations for potential summer signings, however next month’s transfer window could be crucial for the league leaders.

It goes without saying that the superstars of world football such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar would walk into any football team around the world, but which players could really strengthen this Manchester City side.

From a spectator’s perspective, the team chemistry is at an all time high with the way the team is playing and the reactions of the players on the pitch, they seem to be genuinely enjoying playing with their current team mates, so the question is, why fix something that isn’t broken?

As we all know, league titles aren’t won in December, however it is very much City’s title to lose. It has never been more crucial for Manchester City to retain their key players within this window with many regarding this team to have some of the hottest talent in Europe.

Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and the electric Leroy Sane all top the assist chart with 8 a piece, making them amongst the most wanted midfielders in the Premier League, and not to forget the partnership between the Brazilian wonderkid, Gabriel Jesus and the City legend, Sergio Aguero, it’s obvious why so many clubs would love to have these players within their starting line-up.

The City staff have a mammoth task retaining players such as these, especially when clubs are making ludicrous bids for players, the prime example being the PSG duo, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, costing the French league leaders a combined price tag of £350 million, therefore it is by no means beyond the realms of possibility of City losing a key player within today’s transfer market.

Not only have City got to concentrate on keeping their key players, but the club may have to invest within their squad. Despite their brilliant form, there is one area that Guardiola and his staff may want to improve, the key position of Centre Back.

With the relationship of Vincent Kompany and the ever-improving John Stones, it seems Guardiola has his perfect balance of composure and aggression.

Going forward it would be hard to see Vincent Kompany making regular appearances within the team, due to his poor luck with injuries into the latter stages of his career. Due to the City captains’ struggle with injuries, Guardiola will be looking to replace the incredible leader that Vincent Kompany is and has been to this City side.

The exciting prospect Virgil van Dijk and West Brom’s Jonny Evans have both been recognised targets of Guardiola and his staff, very much to some football fans surprise, mainly for their footballing capabilities and potential to ‘slip’ into Guardiola’s footballing blueprint of ‘playing out from the back’.

As things stand, the management team have created a well-balanced, highly performing football team that have answered every question asked of them, however the potential dealings within this upcoming transfer window could disrupt the balance of this finely tuned winning machine.

 

Written by Thomas Clough

Follow Thomas on Twitter @CloughTom

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