This summer’s transfer activity could define if Pep Guardiola is successful at Manchester City
It is fair to say that things have not quite gone to plan for Pep Guardiola in his debut campaign at Manchester City.
The Catalan boss was expected to sweep all before him with the Citizens. However, after a sparkling start, his first season in English football has proven to be a challenge.
The men from Manchester finished third in the table after starting the campaign as favourites to win the Premier League title. What happens this summer could define whether Guardiola is a success in England or not.
Biggest challenge of Guardiola’s managerial career
Pep Guardiola has only known success during his managerial career. He won all the big prizes at Barcelona and then also dominated German football with Bayern Munich.
The Manchester City job was always going to be the biggest challenge of his managerial career thus far. The Premier League is jam-packed with top bosses and clubs willing to spend big money to compete for the title. It is also more competitive at the business end of the table.
In Spain, in reality, only Real Madrid and Barcelona compete for the title, while Bayern are the dominant force in Germany. City meanwhile finished last season in fourth spot and were always going to find it tough to win the title this season, even with Guardiola in charge.
A summer of change
Guardiola had last summer to start to rebuild his squad. However, he will now have a better idea of what he needs to do to turn City into the dominant force that the fans and owners want them to be.
The summer rebuild has started already at City. Willy Caballero, Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna and Jesus Navas have been released and Pablo Zabaleta has also joined West Ham on a free transfer. Veteran central midfielder Yaya Toure is also out-of-of contract in the summer, so could also leave the club.
The Citizens have also already completed their first summer signing in the shape of Portuguese playmaker Bernardo Silva. The 22-year-old has arrived in Manchester for an eye-watering fee of £43million from French champions Monaco.
Now according to Sky Sports, the Citizens are also in negotiations to sign Benfica’s Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson for a fee of around £34.8million. The deal to sign the 23-year-old would make him the most expensive goalkeeper ever.
Signing a new goalkeeper this summer always seemed like a priority for the Citizens. Guardiola obviously does not fancy England ‘keeper Joe Hart. Last summer signing Claudio Bravo was also unconvincing, to say the least in his debut campaign in England.
City are certainly not messing around when it comes to reinforcing their squad this summer. It looks like Guardiola is attempting to reduce the average age of his squad with his signings. The squad he inherited was a fairly old one and the common consensus was that they were reaching the end of their cycle.
The signing of Silva and, Ederson if it goes through, shows that City are determined to better their league position of third next season.
City already the favourites for next season’s title
City’s expected title challenge did not happen this season. However, the Citizens are already favourites for next season’s title at odds of 9/4. It will not be easy for City to win the Premier League title.
They will spend big this summer, but so will their rivals at the top of the table. The likes of Manchester United and Chelsea will also spend big. Meanwhile Tottenham already have the foundations of a top team if they manage to keep their top players. The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will also be hoping to be in the mix for the title next season.
This summer will not be about spending big but bringing in the right players in the right positions. Guardiola must do that, as the pressure will be even worse for the highly-rated boss to deliver a big trophy.
The City boss must get his signings right this summer, as his managerial reputation is at stake and he will be in danger of being perceived as a flopping in the English top-flight, which could cause lasting damage to his managerial legacy.
Will Pep Guardiola get his signings right this summer?
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
