Yet another player has left the Etihad Stadium exit door as Nico Gonzalez completes his move to fellow EPL side Newcastle United. Gonzalez follows Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders and Savinho in leaving the club, after John Stones and Bernardo Silva left for pastures new when their contracts expired in the summer. Not to mention James Trafford, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake, who have also finalised permanent transfers. While a transition period was expected, this is turning into one hell of a rebuild project.
More departures are expected, too. Omar Marmoush looks increasingly likely to join Tottenham and link back up with Savinho. There's rumors surrounding the future of Jack Grealish. There's talk of interest in Ruben Dias.
But my main worry is City's midfield.
Yes, we've signed Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi, both of whom could become central figures for City for the next decade. They've been signed as replacements for Bernardo Silva and Rodri. More reinforcements are required to replace Reijnders and Gonzalez. Marc Guehi, as well as he played in midfield in City's EPL opener against Bournemouth, is not a long term answer to that problem. Neither is Mateo Kovacic.
The rumors surrounding the potential signing of Enzo Fernandez are getting increasingly stronger. When I wrote about this potential signing a couple of weeks ago, I was expecting Reijnders and Gonzalez to be staying for another season at least. Now both are gone, I still don't want Fernandez. I can't remember the last time City signed someone so polarizing. I can't remember the last time we signed someone as dislikable as the Chelsea midfielder.
It's a move I think will happen, though. Despite the baggage he'll likely bring, Fernandez is a top-class midfielder. He's worked with Enzo Maresca before, he'll certainly add some bite to the midfield (or an elbow to the head, just ask Elliot Anderson).
I was surprised when we sold Reijnders, even more so with Gonzalez. I thought both had done enough to warrant another season.
Obviously, though, they've not done enough to impress Maresca, which ultimately is all that matters.
And now it seems Fernandez will be on his way here. Urgh.
Add us as a preferred source on Google