After a streak of three unbeaten league matches, Manchester City appears to have finally steadied themselves. A favorable point for Pep Guardiola and his team is that during their period of poor form, most of the teams at the top of the league table also performed inconsistently. Looking at the league standings, they are only two points away from the top four. Moreover, considering that the season is just over halfway through, even the 12-point gap with the top team is not insurmountable. At the same time, during this winter transfer window, Manchester City is operating multiple important transfers simultaneously, hoping to welcome new signings at key positions.
The Billionaire's Farewell in the Winter Window
In midfield, Kevin De Bruyne has been underwhelming since returning from injury. Compared to the second half of last season, the Belgian superstar's decline in form is visibly noticeable. This season, De Bruyne has only managed two goals and three assists in 17 games across all competitions, which can be considered mediocre. Currently, there are no signs of De Bruyne's form improving, as he has only contributed one assist in the last seven consecutive matches. With less than six months left on his contract, theoretically, De Bruyne can already negotiate his next contract with any team. Manchester City's stance on this matter is quite clear; they are inclined to part ways with De Bruyne. Guardiola previously stated publicly that there has been no substantial progress in De Bruyne's renewal, suggesting that his departure is almost certain.
Compared to De Bruyne, who has clearly passed his peak, Jack Grealish should be in his prime from an age perspective. However, judging from his actual performance, Grealish's competitive state no longer meets Guardiola's requirements. During the recent fixtures, Guardiola moved Savigny to the left flank, where he delivered an outstanding performance. This has made Grealish's situation even worse. Guardiola has made it clear that if Grealish cannot match Savigny's performance, he will not continue to receive opportunities. According to The Telegraph, Guardiola has effectively given up on Grealish, and this billionaire is likely to bid farewell to the team in the winter window.
Formally Quoting the Brazilian International
In midfield, Kovacic, who was "forced into action" this season, proved himself incapable of fulfilling the role of a starting defensive midfielder. Kovacic's main issue lies in his defensive abilities. His running ability is poor, and his speed is slow, making it difficult for him to provide sufficient coverage for the team. Additionally, his sense of defensive positioning is problematic, unable to accurately predict the opponent's attacking lines, resulting in subpar efficiency in tackles and interceptions. This season, Kovacic averages only 0.5 interceptions and 0.6 clearances per game. In attack, Kovacic's passing vision and creativity are not top-tier either, averaging only one key pass per game.
In this situation, Manchester City urgently needs to sign a midfield core with outstanding offensive and defensive capabilities. According to Tuttosport, Manchester City has submitted a formal offer to Juventus, hoping to sign Douglas Luiz on loan in the winter window. From a personal ability standpoint, Douglas Luiz's versatility allows him to be entrusted with responsibilities at both ends of the pitch. Moreover, he has had very impressive performances in the Premier League before, so Manchester City does not need to worry about the player adapting to the rhythm of the Premier League.
About to Officially Sign the French Genius Central Defender
In defense, Manchester City also needs an immediate impact player capable of playing as a center-back and right-back. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano and other sources, Kusano, who plays for Lens, is set to become Manchester City's first signing in this transfer window, as they are about to officially sign this 20-year-old French genius central defender. The general manager of Lens, D'Errico, has also confirmed that Kusano is about to leave, and this transfer deal is settled. It is expected that Manchester City will pay a transfer fee of 20 million pounds for Kusano. (Images sourced from the internet, please contact us for removal in case of infringement)