Edinson Cavani, Isco & Ilkay Gundogan have the ability to help City mount a title challenge next season
After winning the title in 2012, Manchester City were criticised for not buying a few big names which would give them a chance to dominate the Premier League for the foreseeable future.
After a limp defence of their title, City will surely spend big this summer. Below are four players that can help City recapture title.
Edinson Cavani | Napoli
Edinson Cavani has become one of the hottest prospects of the summer, with a move from Napoli looking more and more imminent each day.
City may have to compete with Real Madrid to land the Uruguayan who has scored 78 goals in 104 Napoli appearances and has a reported £52m buy-out clause in his contract.
In their title-winning season of 2011/12 the Citizens scored a staggering 93 goals as their four strikers Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko all chipped in with important strikes. But this season, City have scored just 66 goals.
Mario Balotelli departed in January and they never replaced him. Cavani’s goal threat and relentless work rate will make him an instant success in the Premier League and add another dimension to City’s forward line.
Isco | Malaga
If the reports linking former Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini with the Manchester City job are true, then one player he will almost certainly want to bring with him is the 21-year-old Spanish playmaker Isco.
Isco has received raving reviews since he left Valencia to join Malaga in 2011, scoring 14 goals in his first two seasons. Isco could fill the creative void left after Samir Nasri’s disappointing season.
There aren’t many City fans who can doubt Nasri’s ability; at Arsenal he was one of the best midfielders in the league but has failed to recapture that scintillating form at Manchester City. Previous manager Roberto Mancini revealed he wanted to punch Nasri because he was not producing on the pitch, even though he has the ability.
Isco would complement David Silva also following his disappoint second season in England. They’re both Spanish, slight and very tricky and could form a lethal partnership which would greatly improve City’s title hopes next term.
Hulk | Zenit St. Petersburg
Hulk has failed to settle into life in Russia following his big-money move to Zenit St. Petersburg and reportedly asked for a transfer in January.
There have been plenty of times this season when, going forward, Manchester City have been far too narrow and predictable. A wide man like Hulk would give them the option to play the ball out wide and get crosses into the box - sometimes the most basic things are the most effective.
Hulk’s pace would also greatly improve City’s threat on the counter-attack. His furious shooting range would also add unpredictability to City’s side because he is capable of producing a moment-of-magic out of nothing.
This is a player who scored 55 in 99 games for FC Porto and has represented the Brazilian national side 20 times so there is no doubt he has the pedigree to succeed in the Premier League.
Ilkay Gundogan | Borussia Dortmund
One of the unsung heroes of Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League run finally got the recognition he deserved after netting a penalty in Dortmund’s 2-1 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich.
Gundogan is one of those complete midfielders that is just as committed to attacking as he is to defending. He has a great work ethic and would be an ideal replacement for the ageing Gareth Barry. Gundogan would also be willing to sit back and provide protection to the back-four whilst Yaya Toure pushes forward.
City also have Jack Rodwell who could occupy that role but there have been serious question marks as to whether he is really good enough. Technically gifted, Gundogan would add a creative spark which could help Aguero recapture his relentless goal scoring form.
At only 22, the future looks exceedingly bright for the German international but Dortmund would be reluctant to sell and have a financial position which allows them to keep their best players. If City could prize him away however, he would be a hugely valuable asset.
I believe if City could capture these four players, or four players of a similar mould, then they will recapture the title next season. They have had the best defence in the league for the last two seasons but just need some freshness and creativity going forward.
Who do you think City should sign? Would these players suit them? Tell us below in the comments.
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