PSG continues to have one of the most memorable transfer periods in recent memory. After capturing Neymar in a shocking move, they seemed to also have secured Kylian Mbappe’s service as well.
It looks like it is actually happening.
After forking out €222 million for Neymar, PSG is closing in on signing one of the brightest wonder kids in all of the football.
The reported fee? €180 million.
In a clever move to avoid breaking the FFP rule, the French giants will loan the young French forward this season and pay out that gargantuan sum next summer.
Many of the biggest clubs in Europe long coveted the 18-year old. After breaking out as one of the best young attackers in the world, clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester City salivated at a thought of him.
Losing out on him spells concerns for Manchester City.
The club seems to be desperately searching for another attacker. The late rumors of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang stem from it. Guardiola is utilizing more two-top formation and requires more depth up top. Carrying only two strikers will not cut it. After addressing key transfers early on, City failed to capitalize on the momentum and left business too late. It is evident that Sergio Aguero is aging. Eventually, Guardiola will have to replace the Argentine. Missing out on Mbappe is a big blow to the Cityzens.
In his first two games, Guardiola implemented a 5-3-2 formation. With Fernandinho and Kevin de Bruyne sitting in front of the back three, the formation is much more defensive. While de Bruyne is playing much more of a deep-lying playmaker, the front three of David Silva, Gabriel Jesus, and Sergio Aguero is often isolated. The wingbacks would also bomb forward to give support, but generally, the firepower that set the league ablaze was tamed.
Is that the tactic’s fault? Not necessarily. The two men up top are also not getting it done. Jesus and Aguero combined for one goal a piece. It’s not like they are not receiving the help. David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne is averaging over six key passes a game so far. Benjamin Mendy is already creating chances down the left side. So is it that ridiculous to start doubting the great Aguero?
Overall, the Argentine looks a bit tentative. In fact, he is only attempting two shots per game. Compare that to Harry Kane’s eight shots per game, or even Gabriel Jesus’ three shots per game, it does not seem like the kind of aggressiveness the twenty-goal scorer should have. Perhaps more interestingly, Aguero only attempted 0.7 dribbles per game, drawing 0.7 fouls per game. Perhaps the years of injuries made him more contact-shy. Nevertheless, he is not making use of his explosiveness – or he lost it.
Instead, he is taking on more of a creative role. Aguero is the only forward averaging more than one key passes per game. Guardiola’s tactic does not focus on what the team does in the final third. He himself said that his job is to get the ball to the final third, and the job of the forward is to finish it. Likes of Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane, and Bernardo Silva is instructed to hug the touchline and cut inside to create scoring chances for themselves. Gabriel Jesus also looks to score first, perhaps too eagerly at times. Aguero, on the other hand, seems to take an opposing mentality. Rather it is due to Guardiola’s choice or not, it seems silly to instruct one of the most lethal finishers in the history of the Premier League to play the facilitator role.
Mbappe is the opposite. He is not a strong passer. However, just like Jesus and the other forwards, he can dribble through the entire defense and score. He is the kind of player that Guardiola wants on his team. Yet, they simply could not pry him away from Monaco.
Related Story: Manchester City and Arsenal can both win in this swap deal
Another top transfer target for City is Alexis Sanchez. For months and months, there has been nothing but talks, rumors, and speculations about the Chilean forward. For a club to be this interested, this committed to signing a player, it is worrisome for the transfer to not be complete with only two days left. Is it time for the fans to be concerned about the club’s ability to attract players?
Of course, City signed many players this off-season. However, any of those players are world-class. Kyle Walker, Benjamin Mendy, Danilo, Ederson, and Bernardo Silva are quality players. None of them are game changers. Players like Neymar, Mbappe, and others have yet to make the switch to Manchester City. The club has yet to attract a key player from a big club to switch over. Atletico finished seventh in the league when Aguero joined. Club record player Kevin de Bruyne joined from a mid-table German club. Robinho and Yaya Toure were simply unhappy at the club.
Next: Manchester City: Deadline Day Countdown
The fact is simple: Manchester City is not one of the biggest clubs in the world. Even Guardiola and money can not replace the tradition and European success. If the Cityzens truly wish to join the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, and even Manchester United and PSG, they must look themselves in the mirror first.