Manchester City's Rebuild: Who Pep Guardiola Must Sign & Sell to Turn Fortunes Around

With each passing week, it seems increasingly inevitable that Manchester City's centurions, City's unprecedented domestic treble winners, will be outshone and pushed aside by the unbeaten and points-record-smashing Liverpool.

For all of the debate regarding who is the greatest side in Premier League history, from Manchester United's treble winners to Arsenal's Invincibles, City's case lasted just under two years, a legacy diminished by their newest and perhaps greatest modern rivals. The hatred is becoming visceral and cultural - Manchester and Merseyside have always been divided, but City's prominence has taken it up a notch.

Speculation regarding Pep Guardiola's future has been rife, despite his insistence that he'd have to be sacked in order to not be on the touchline at the Etihad Stadium next season. Walking away would be a cowardly move anyhow, admitting defeat to Liverpool at the first sign of trouble - the Reds have conquered all of Europe, they might never stop, but Guardiola has to put up a fight.

Pep Guardiola

Overseeing a rebuild is a challenge he's never encountered before, and he'll never have the opportunity to manage one with such vast resources. The jibes about splashing more cash to get out of this hole will come, of course, but this Liverpool team could go down as one of history's finest - would Guardiola rather be a 'chequebook manager' and a winner, or a 'chequebook manager' and a loser?

So where do City need to clear out and how can they strengthen? 90min takes a look.


THE CURRENT SQUAD

Nicolas Otamendi. Literally the first words in this section - just get him out. Xabi Alonso once said that Guardiola is a defence-first manager, but that isn't true in 2020 if he continues relying on the Argentine. ​City did try and shift the former Valencia man last summer, but there can be no excuses if he stays for another season.

There's an argument that John Stones should be biffed off as well, but City are desperate for homegrown players and should keep hold of him unless a huge offer from someone (probably Arsenal) comes in.

Aymeric Laporte

The only truly competent central defender at Guardiola's disposal is the left-footed Aymeric Laporte, and so a right-sided centre-back to compliment him should be a priority. Eric Garcia is highly thought of at the club, but isn't ready to be the guy to partner the Frenchman yet.

Elsewhere in defence (loose term), Benjamin Mendy hasn't shown anything close to his full potential, and his off-field issues over the last couple of seasons outweigh his influence in the dressing room. Move him on, cut your losses, reinvest elsewhere. Left-back isn't a key area so they can continue with using Oleksandr Zinchenko, and ensure that Angelino returns from RB Leipzig following his loan spell - he counts as a player homegrown at the club, and was never really given a fair look in back at the Etihad this season anyway.

The decision to hand Fernandinho a new deal was smart, particularly as Rodri doesn't look ready to be City's starting holding midfielder, while the summer will be the time to move Ilkay Gundogan on while he still has market value.

Phil Foden

David Silva has already said this season will be his last at City, and the 2020/21 campaign has to be the time to integrate Phil Foden as a starter - Guardiola can't keep calling him the greatest youngster he's worked with after ​Lionel Messi without properly utilising him.

​A source has told 90min that Leroy Sane is eager to complete a move to ​Bayern in the summer, while City expect a deal to happen, and so unfortunately will have to move on without one of Europe's best wingers, the man who outshone even Raheem Sterling in their centurion season.

If not for a dearth in young strikers and need to improve elsewhere, then City could consider selling Sergio Aguero this summer, with his contract set to expire in 2021. A new deal would surely be his last at the top level and would add little resale value as he enters his twilight years, but needs must, and ​Aguero must remain a City player.


WHO TO TARGET

Caglar Soyuncu

Contrary to popular belief, Caglar Soyuncu is not the centre-back City should be targeting - ​Premier League 'tax', potential ​Champions League competitor, only proved himself for half a season, take your pick of red flags for the deal.

They've been heavily linked with RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano, whose deal expires at the end of next season, and so a move this summer is their perfect window of opportunity. If they're feeling quite daring, then Ben White of ​Brighton (currently on loan at ​Leeds) could be a cheaper deal which helps their homegrown quota, though it'd be a risk to throw him right into the team.

Should City decide they want to blow their budget on one player (a la ​Liverpool with Virgil van Dijk) then pursuing Kalidou Koulibaly is a no-brainer, but there is better value in the market.

If Rodri doesn't somehow manage to make more of his 6'3 frame (in spite of Guardiola's testimony that he's a good ​because he doesn't have tattoos), then City should dip into the market for a more physical yet dynamic holding midfielder. Hello there, Denis Zakaria.

Borussia Monchengladbach have been transformed under Marco Rose, and the 23-year-old has been one of the key performers, almost a facilitator for the likes of Marcus Thuram, Breel Embolo and Alassane Plea to flourish.

Christopher Nkunku ,Denis Zakaria

Another midfield hole needs to be filled pending Gundogan's departure. In their ideal world, they'd manage to bring in Luis Alberto from Lazio and convert him into a Kevin De Bruyne style midfielder, though he's probably in no rush to leave a key role for a bit-part one and perhaps lacks the physicality to fulfil such a need.

Realistically, the versatile Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig - we may be picking on the Red Bull group here, but their recruitment is ace and Liverpool have benefitted massively from it already - should be the go-to after impressing since his surprise arrival from PSG. Julian Brandt would also fit in perfectly and cover a number of areas, but would likely command a higher fee.

While ​a source has told 90min that City are preparing to activate Mikel Oyarzabal's release clause in the summer, they should consider other options, too.

Jadon Sancho,Raheem Sterling

If there's a possibility of convincing Jadon Sancho to return to City, then the club should explore it. Pricey? For sure. But the idea of Sancho (another homegrown option) and Sterling on the flanks has already worked for England, and while the latter is pretty much the country's poster boy, it seems the average football fan doesn't really care about City - Sancho would benefit the club on and off the field to no end.

Rebuilds are not easy and take their time across several transfer windows, but in order to catch Liverpool before they create another dynasty, they need to take action and start clearing house.



Source : 90min