Manchester City is grappling with a midfield crisis as their title defense and Champions League campaign falter.
Five losses and a draw in their last six games have exposed vulnerabilities in a squad that, while highly successful, is now feeling the impact of injuries.
Rodri’s season-ending knee injury has left a massive void in central midfield, further compounded by Mateo Kovacic’s international-duty injury with Croatia.
Despite their deep and expensively assembled squad, these setbacks have left Pep Guardiola short of options.
As January approaches, Guardiola is reportedly seeking reinforcements, with Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi high on his wishlist.
Wharton, a rising star and England international, has also attracted attention from Arsenal. However, Crystal Palace is unlikely to let the 20-year-old depart mid-season.
Meanwhile, Zubimendi resisted a summer move to Liverpool, choosing to stay in Spain. Manchester City hopes to test his resolve again, banking on the allure of playing for the Premier League champions.
Jamie Carragher Calls for Urgent Action
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher weighed in on City’s predicament, emphasizing the need for immediate reinforcements.
“The problems they’ve got in midfield, I’m not sure you can fix them with the personnel they’ve got right now,” Carragher told Sky Sports.
“I think they would have to attack the transfer market in January, but that’s a problem for them because of the situation they find themselves in with the Premier League.”
Carragher compared City’s current struggles to Liverpool’s midfield decline a few years ago, citing aging players and a lack of pace as significant issues.
“The age profile of the midfield is a problem. Rodri’s won the Ballon d’Or and is the best in the world in that position, but his replacements—Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic—are both in their 30s and lack pace,” Carragher added.
“Even their more attacking midfielders, like Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, are well into their 30s. So that’s a problem.”
While Manchester City’s reputation and Guardiola’s tactical genius may entice players, persuading top talents like Zubimendi to switch clubs mid-season could prove challenging.
The club’s current form and the Premier League’s unpredictable nature add further complications to their transfer pursuits.
Manchester City’s ability to address their midfield issues in January could be pivotal to turning their season around.
With Wharton and Zubimendi on their radar, fans are hopeful for fresh energy in the squad. However, whether Guardiola can secure his targets and navigate this turbulent period remains