The Champions of England are ready to regain their throne once again. Pep Guardiola’s additions to a depleted Manchester City roster on his arrival has showered the club with numerous trophies. The fairytales have been written, the history books have been dusted off, and the bubbles have been burst. However, with the dream of European success evading the Citizens, it’s time for Pep Guardiola to go shopping once again.
When you have millions and millions of pounds in your bank, attracting a specific player to don your jersey is simply a cakewalk. Try asking Ruben Dias or Riyad Mahrez or maybe goalkeeping sensation Ederson. With limitless money at Pep’s disposal, buying a world-class player becomes a matter of mutual choice rather than of ability or necessity.
Pep Guardiola has spent £832m to bring a #UCL title to Man City.
When he finally reached the final, his side had a single shot on target in 97 minutes.
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) May 29, 2021
Pep Guardiola’s money splashing tactics have regularly come under the scanner. Notably, the Spanish grandmaster consumed approximately 832 million pounds only to falter on the final stage in Europe.
It's going to be emotional… 💙
🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5rehttps://t.co/4COpSpmz7a
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 29, 2021
With legend Sergio Aguero parting his ways with the club, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City need a world-class striker to fulfil his legacy. Phil Foden is a left-winger rather than a poacher, Ferran Torres lacks experience, and Gabriel Jesus is a name the world is slowly forgetting. So who will acquire Aguero’s setting or will Pep Guardiola stick to his no-striker policy which was influential in his jaw-dropping European dash?
Manchester City made an official proposal to Tottenham for Harry Kane. £100M guaranteed + availability to include players in the deal.#THFC have NO intention to accept. Harry wants to go, but Levy will try to keep him. ❌
Harry now focused on the Euros, then it’ll be decided.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 21, 2021
Worth-mentioning is the fact that Manchester City has already started pouncing on Tottenham Hotspur’s striker Harry Kane who expressed his desire to leave the North-London outfit. But if Kane finds home in the Theatre of Dreams or somewhere else which three strikers will Guardiola look to inject in his glittering squad?
ERLING HAALAND
The biggest brand ambassador of the latest generation of football, Erling Halland could satisfy City’s European thirst. A world-class striker with an eye-catching backlift and shooting ability, the planet is aware of what Haaland contains in his CV.
The Norweigan machine’s twinkling start to his career has earned him the title of a Robotic Machine. Bundesliga’s Player of the Season, Haaland’s physicality is unquestionable. A poacher in front of goal, the youngster can sniff an opportunity out of nowhere to break the opposition’s hearts.
The perfect replacement of Sergio Aguero, Haaland’s electrifying pace bolsters his case in front of Pep Guardiola. The Norweigan has grown into a heavenly campaigner at Borussia Dortmund but the Yellow Submarine’s knack of failing to conquer titles might persuade Haaland to take up new challenges. Manchester City’s job offer comes with a piece of ponderous baggage but the trophy cabinet has a new addition every season. Erling Haaland’s staggering stats for Dortmund this season makes him more pivotal for City.
27 thunderous strikes in the Bundesliga along with 8 assists, Haaland had a jaw-dropping campaign. The medal of the Champions League’s top-goalscorer soars high on Haaland’s mantle. The combination of De Bruyne and Erling Haaland could be deadly at Etihad, with the Belgium magician could be serving inch-perfect balls every week for the Norweigan prodigy to gobble up.
LAUTARO MARTINEZ
Argentine Lautaro Martinez is an enigma. He doesn’t mind standing behind the protagonist and being a helping hand. Overshadowed by the Belgian devil, Romelu Lukaku at Inter, Lautaro Martinez’s crucial role under Antonio Conte went under the radar. One of the best in the business, the striker smashed 17 goals this season and also had 11 assists to his name guiding Inter to the Italian title.
The starting point of Inter’s defence, Martinez rarely gives the defenders a second of breathing space. Obligated to foul a few centre-backs, Martinez’s tendency to pick-pocket a handful of them fabricates space and time for Romelu Lukaku. The Inter Milan striker adores manoeuvring the ball throughout the pitch, and he can wriggle and swivel his way out of the trickiest of circumstances.
While the big striker has the shooting talents of an exceptional goalscorer, a beautiful aspect of his performance that stands out is his propensity to track back and employ his awareness to involve teammates or deliver crosses in behind the opposition defence. Having already scored 11 goals for his national team, the Copa America can prove to be the perfect audition for Lautaro Martinez. Although Martinez is a long-shot, a few extra zeros in his contract could lure the Argentine to England. Inter Milan’s financial problems could work in City’s favoyr.
ANDRE SILVA
The last player on Pep Guardiola’s shopping list will be Frankfurt’s sensation, Andre Silva. The Portuguese went from being a revelatoin at Porto to a no-show at Milan and Sevilla. Few disappointing seasons and Silva’s name became history with youngsters Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland taking centre-stage.
But Silva has risen back from his ashes like a Phoenix and a stint under Pep Guardiola could give him the limelight he deserves. 28 shattering goals this campaign with Frankfurt, second only to Robert Lewandowski, have shown just how high Silva’s ceiling is and he would be a smart transfer for any side.
— André Silva (@andrevsilva19) June 2, 2021
Silva’s biggest attribute is his timing and placement on and off the ball – he is not the fastest or biggest but he overcomes these limitations by creating openings near the centre-of-the box troubling defenders trying to bully him. Silva’s physicality makes him a great weapon to have in the squad. He leads the press smartly – something that is of high value to a manager like Guardiola.
QUE ÉPOCA FANTÁSTICA! 🔴⚫️
✅ O melhor de Janeiro
✅ Onze ideal da Bundesliga 2020/21Apenas Lewandowski, Messi e Cristiano Ronaldo marcaram mais que André Silva na Europa! ⚽️🔥
🇵🇹 @andrevsilva19 🏆#SGE pic.twitter.com/Z16koQRHIf
— Eintracht Frankfurt (@Eintracht_por) June 21, 2021
When pressing, he has a strong sense of proportions and keeps opposing attackers in his shielding zone as he rushes to tackle the player with the ball. A magnificent addition to Pep’s Blue army, Andre Silva could acquire the role of Sergio Aguero while also adding defensive nous to Manchester City’s squad. Another factor that Pep will look at is Silva’s contract might not cost the club a fortune as compared to Harry Kane or Erling Haaland.
CONCLUSION
With the Copa America and Euros proving as the perfect hunting ground, Pep Guardiola would be looking for weapons to augment his world-class roster. If the Harry Kane move fails to reap results, Manchester City has other options to look for. Etihad’s household hero’s departure to FC Barcelona opens up the necessary position but whom City bids for will be interesting. Another expensive transfer incoming or will Manchester City plan strategically? We wait to see.
