Manchester City will have a burning desire to beat both Liverpool and Arsenal to the Premier League title after failing to even challenge either side for the coveted trophy last season.
However, it will be easier said than done for Pep Guardiola to lead City to the league title as they seem to be in a somewhat transitional phase as a side.
During the FIFA Club World Cup, Manchester City’s flaws were exposed as they lost 4-3 to Al-Hilal in the last-16, which was a stark reminder to their fans that this side has plenty of work to do to reach the top.
On the other hand, Liverpool could sign Hugo Ekitike after having brought in big names like Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez while Arsenal could land Viktor Gyokeres as both clubs look ready to win the title.
Advantage Liverpool and Arsenal as Man City will not sign another midfielder
With Manchester City deciding not to sign another midfielder, they could hand both Liverpool and Arsenal an edge in next season’s title race for a number of reasons.
First and foremost, with Pep Guardiola intending to integrate Rodri gradually into becoming a consistent starter again after the Spaniard’s return from his ACL injury, City still lack a defensive midfielder in their ranks who could deputise for him.
Considering Phil Foden praised Rodri by naming him as Manchester City’s most important player, if the 28-year-old ceases to become the elite player he was or encounters recurring injury, the Sky Blues lack an able understudy to him.
Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic have all done a job in holding midfielder but lack the athleticism to play the role to a high standard while Manchester City News exclusively confirmed that Nico Gonzalez could depart the Etihad Stadium.
Even if Nico ends up staying at City, he is not a natural number six and nor is Tijjani Reijnders while both Liverpool and Arsenal have two players in one of the game’s most important positions; namely Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo as well as Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi respectively.
When it comes to the number eight position as well, with the former Porto dynamo yet to prove his status as a successful arrival, Reijnders looks like the only potentially world-class option at Manchester City’s disposal — which means their decision not to sign another midfielder could hamper their title hopes.
Pep Guardiola has found the next Rodri in Man City wonderkid
Gundogan, Kovacic and Bernardo were not at their brilliant best last season and with all three players aged 30 or above, perhaps they could be past their sell-by date.
However, only time will tell whether City can stun the Premier League, much like Liverpool under Arne Slot during his debut campaign by the leading Reds to the title.
Pep Guardiola views Nico O’Reilly as a midfielder and that too as a number six to serve as a backup for Rodri.
As a result, perhaps Manchester City’s rationale behind not signing another midfielder could be to give O’Reilly more of a chance in the middle of the park.
Taking into account that the Englishman is a number 10 by trade, City would be taking a massive risk by backing him to play in a new role next season.
