Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City tend not to make too many mistakes in the summer transfer window.
Even if Manchester City make a signing that does not hit the ground running in their debut campaign and are subject to criticism, more often than not, they tend to come good and prove the club’s judgement to be correct.
For all of Pep Guardiola’s tactical acumen, perhaps one of the reasons why he has stayed at City for eight years is due to how much the club backs his vision in the transfer market.
Guardiola merits the praise he gets from fans and pundits alike but the Sky Blues’ recruitment staff should for their excellent track record in the transfer market over the years.
However, Manchester City decided to take a prudent approach to the summer window of 2024.
Signing Savinho for a deal that could rise to £33.6 million and Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer, the Sky Blues decided not to invest heavily in the summer.
- Man City summer transfer window 2024: Confirmed signings, departures, loan exits and releases
Why Manchester City made a howler by not signing Bruno Guimaraes
However, the question is whether City’s approach could hurt them now that Rodri has picked up the most significant injury during his career.
Samuele Ricci has commented on being linked to City — a midfielder who has been reported to be on the club’s radar as a potential signing in January to cover for the injured Spaniard as the club are seemingly looking to renter the transfer market in the winter.
With the staggering number of games that Rodri has played for both club and country over the years, there was always the possibility that he would pick up an injury one day.
The Premier League winners would have been aware of that being a possible scenario.
As a result, one begs the question of why they did not make a move for Bruno Guimaraes, who was linked with a move to City for much of the summer.
In August, it was claimed that Manchester City felt Guimaraes still fancied a transfer to the club.
Up until June 24, there was a release clause worth £100 million in the Brazilian’s contract as well, as per Fabrizio Romano.
While the fee might be considered far too steep, the 26-year-old would have been one of the few midfielders in the world who is capable of replacing Rodri from the get-go.
In June, journalist Ben Jacobs revealed that Newcastle United would have considered Guimaraes’ sale if they were offered £80 million and the structure of the deal suited their demands; yet, the transfer did not come to fruition.
The former Lyon stalwart was described as an “exceptional holding midfielder” by Pep Guardiola last season as per Manchester City’s official website and this campaign, Guimaraes has been in terrific form once again.
The Newcastle skipper’s dominant display against City in both sides’ 1-1 draw at St. James’ Park was an indicator of how he fares against the best of the best and the standard of his displays this campaign.
As per Squawka Live, Guimaraes won as many as nine duels, completed four out of his four take-ons, made three tackles, two interceptions, won possession back for his side four times and created a chance.
The versatile midfielder is a player who showcased against Pep Guardiola’s side that he has the physicality, defensive awareness and technical quality to operate as a lone number six at the highest level.
While Mateo Kovacic has impressed as a holding midfielder, his physicality and defensive awareness was not at its best against both Fulham and Newcastle; two areas where Guimaraes leaves no room for any complaints.
Furthermore, unlike Kovacic and even Ilkay Gundogan, the highly-rated midfielder has played at the base of midfield for years and that too in the Premier League.
It has been no coincidence that City have looked as shaky as they have defensively this season.
If Manchester City had signed the Brazilian, Rodri’s injury would perhaps not be viewed as being as much of a blow as it has been since he suffered the setback in his side’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal.
Guimaraes would not only have given Pep Guardiola the option of playing him at the base of midfield but also alongside Kovacic and Gundogan in a more advanced role.
While there would have been doubts over whether the midfielder was worth £100 million had City triggered his release clause, his value to the side would have been as a replacement for Rodri.
Ultimately, if a player can potentially emerge as the difference between whether a side wins a major trophy or not, they are worth their weight in gold.
Playing alongside a superior collection of midfielders and players as a whole alongside working with Pep Guardiola, Guimaraes’ game would likely have improved as well.
In hindsight, Manchester City should be regretting their decision not to sign the in-form technician as it seems nigh-on impossible that Newcastle will be willing to entertain any offers for their captain in January.
