Despite missing Sergio Aguero for almost the entirety of the season, Manchester City once again find themselves at the summit of English football- ready to seal the title.
Most teams would struggle without their source of goals. Admittedly, Manchester City did, too, at the start of the campaign as they struggled uncharacteristically in mid-table without Aguero.
But then, as he often does, Pep Guardiola came up with an ideal solution, and Phil Foden stepped up; Ilkay Gundogan stepped up; the defence began to dominate. Yet, the likes of those aforementioned are only short-term solutions.
Every world-class team needs a classic number nine producing 20-30 goals a season. For a decade, Sergio Aguero was that man at the Etihad. Now, with injury problems proving all too costly, City must act ruthlessly and begin the search for a replacement.
Aguero’s time has never looked so likely to near its end, and, with the funds behind them, Manchester City should flex their financial muscles once more this summer.
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Manchester City Must Make Replacing Sergio Aguero a Priority
Danny Ings and Romelu Lukaku Discussed
Of course, replacing a legend is never an easy task, whether it be the management team or a player- just ask Manchester United.
Come the end of the season, though, the Etihad will still be the chosen destination for many. The attraction of playing under the guidance of Pep Guardiola is an opportunity not many will turn down.
They replaced David Silva with an internal source in the summer; a source who has stepped up to become the poster boy under Guardiola. But, this time around, City must turn to the transfer market once more.
And, according to The Athletic, among the names mentioned are Romelu Lukaku and Danny Ings. Ings, himself, is reportedly stalling on a new contract at Southampton in the hope of one day playing Champions League football.
As for Lukaku, a former Manchester United player, his reputation almost automatically places him on the shortlist when searching for a clinical number nine.
Of course, the last time a former Manchester United forward swapped red for blue, he was soon seen lifting the Premier League title a high, and, now, the Carlos Tevez like opportunity seemingly presents itself to Lukaku.
Prying the Belgian away from his success at Inter Milan, and towards a team he once called rivals, would be a tough ask. Yet, again, the attraction of playing under Guardiola could, indeed, be an opportunity he cannot possibly turn down.
The easier option seems to be Danny Ings, whose name has also been suggested, but, again, looking at his injury history, it would come with its risks. Manchester City are already without their main man for goals due to ongoing injury issues, so signing a player with similar struggles would only see their problems mount.
City Must Do What Liverpool Failed to Last Summer
When at the summit of football, some may believe that the only way is down. But, as proven by Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United side, there is always a steeper climb to mount. In the summer, Liverpool failed to flex their champions muscles, and are now paying the price.
Now, Manchester City, should they win the title, must do what Liverpool couldn’t by acting like a team prepared to not only reach the summit but stay there.
When Guardiola first came in, they did exactly that by throwing sentiment out of the window and replacing it with ruthlessness when saying goodbye to Yaya Toure, Pablo Zabaleta and Joe Hart. By doing that, they reached English dominance for two season’s running.
With less of a clear out needed this time around, and perhaps just one marquee signing needed to maintain the top spot, Guardiola must say goodbye to sentiment once more.
Replacing Aguero will be difficult. Yet, the financial clout, alongside the potential reputation of champions in which Manchester City posses, should make this summer the most important so far under Guardiola.
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