Riyad MahrezThe Algerian winger has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium, with Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona reportedly interested.The 30-year-old has won two Premier League titles and two League Cups since joining City from Leicester in 2018, but he has not been a regular starter this season.He scored just three goals in 29 appearances in all competitions, with only 11 starts in the Premier League.City have plenty of options on the wings, with Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Ferran Torres, Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus all vying for a place.Conclusion
Manchester City’s imminent signing of Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan’s departure are the first changes to the squad which landed last season’s Treble. Kovacic arrives with four Champions League successes to his name and provides the wealth of experience Pep Guardiola will be losing with Gundogan’s departure. However, he does trail Gundogan with just seven appearances per goal contribution to the former’s three.
Further changes are possible this summer, with Kyle Walker reportedly keen to leave Manchester City and Aymeric Laporte also potentially on his way out. Meanwhile, Riyad Mahrez has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium, with Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona reportedly interested.
It remains to be seen if Guardiola will stop there or if further changes are made before the summer is out. Whatever happens, it looks like Manchester City are set for a busy summer of transfer activity as they look to build on their success from last season.
Changes at Manchester City: Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan’s Departure
Introduction
Manchester City’s recent signing of Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan’s departure are the first changes to the squad which landed last season’s Treble. The 29-year-old Croatia international arrives with four Champions League successes to his name and provides the wealth of experience Pep Guardiola will be losing with Gundogan’s departure.
Mateo Kovacic
Kovacic played 69 passes per 90 minutes last season – the fifth-highest total in the Premier League among central midfielders who played regularly. He is able to play further forward despite preferring a more defensive role, although he does trail the German with just seven appearances per goal contribution to the former’s three. Kovacic has scored just 24 goals in 491 club appearances, compared to Gundogan’s 110 in 557 career appearances.
Ilkay Gundogan
The 32-year-old German midfielder’s influence was crucial in the closing weeks of City’s season with six goals in his final seven games – including a double in the 2-1 FA Cup final win over Manchester United. It’s no wonder Guardiola did not want to lose his captain but, after missing out on Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid, is Kovacic his replacement?
Further Changes Possible
BBC Sport’s Simon Stone said: “It explains why City are close to signing Kovacic from Chelsea and makes you wonder if Guardiola will stop there.” After all, there is the annual uncertainty around Bernardo Silva, while Riyad Mahrez lost his starting spot as the season came to an end and is sure to be the subject of interest. Over the years, City have been very good at knowing when to let players go. Gundogan may not be the last through the exit door before the summer is out.
Kyle Walker
England defender Walker is reportedly keen to leave Manchester City – with Bayern Munich thought to be a possible destination. The 33-year-old has won the Premier League title in five of his six seasons at the club, but fell out of favour towards the end of the season. If Walker does leave, then unless Joao Cancelo comes back into the team, Rico Lewis could be back-up for John Stones at right-back.
Aymeric Laporte
Spain defender Laporte, 29, is another who could leave the club after falling out of contention. He was City’s record signing at £57m in 2018 and Guardiola once called him the “best left central defender in the world”. But he only made 24 appearances last season in all competitions, with 11 Premier League starts. City are reasonably well stocked at centre-back with Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji and Stones capable of playing there – as well as Taylor Harwood-Bellis after his loan spell with Burnley.
Riyad Mahrez
The Algerian winger has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium, with Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona reportedly interested. The 30-year-old has won two Premier League titles and two League Cups since joining City from Leicester in 2018, but he has not been a regular starter this season. He scored just three goals in 29 appearances in all competitions, with only 11 starts in the Premier League. City have plenty of options on the wings, with Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Ferran Torres, Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus all vying for a place.
Conclusion
It remains to be seen if Guardiola will stop there or if further changes are made before the summer is out. Whatever happens, it looks like Manchester City are set for a busy summer of transfer activity as they look to build on their success from last season.