da bet7： Manchester City have been linked with Ajax wonderkid Matthijs de Ligt according to Sport via Calciomercato, but do City really need him?
da bet vitoria： It’s fair to say Guardiola has the strongest squad in England which already includes centre-backs John Stones, Aymeric Laporte, Nicolas Otamendi and Vincent Kompany. Looking at that it’s easy to question just why they would need another.
However, when you look closer at City’s options in front of the keeper you see a 32-year-old injury prone Vincent Kompany and 31-year-old Nicolas Otamendi who hasn’t repeated last season’s form this term. Both of those players would be lucky to last two more seasons at the club, and so that only leaves Laporte and Stones.
It’s important City look to replace players before their more experienced men leave. It means the younger players can learn from the old guard like Kompany and avoid having the pressure of being first choice.
Of course, if De Ligt was to come to City he’d have a tough job breaking into Guardiola’s strongest 11, particularly with Laporte and Stones, who champion his philosophy, keeping the defence tight regularly. But City need more than just a starting 11 now they aim to win all four trophies every season, so it would be unreasonable to suggest the Dutchman wouldn’t get game time.
Benjamin Mendy being injured has meant Guardiola has, in simple terms, gone for a 4-3-3 this season. When City have the ball the holding midfielder drops between the centre-halves and the fullbacks tuck in and push forward. When Mendy returns, the Catalonian may use a three-at-the-back system with wing backs and that means another spot for a centre back which could be De Ligt.
Otamendi’s technical ability simply isn’t up to scratch for the manager but the Ajax youngster would fit right into City’s system and make them even more formidable going forward as well as at the back.
City do need another centre-back and particularly one with the abilities De Ligt possesses, but whether City’s hierarchy feel he’s the right man, we’ll have to see. They aren’t thought to currently be leading the transfer chase for one of Europe’s hottest prospects, though those at City need to make themselves the first port of call, in case they really do think he’s worth the money.
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