There has been a lot of speculation over the biggest names in Premier League management over the festive period this season.
Since the sacking of, “The Special One”, Jose Mourinho at current Premier League champions Chelsea, it’s became apparent to everyone involved in football that nobody is irreplaceable and there are certainly plenty of managerial candidates with big reputations, that would like to have a go at managing in the most entertaining league in the world.
With Manchester City continuing to underperform under current boss, Manuel Pelligrini, and reports emerging recently revealing Pelligrini would accept losing his job if the situation arose, you can’t help but feel that the speculation around Pep Guardiola’s move to the Premier League is growing rapidly.
With this in mind, we take a look at FIVE players who could follow Guardiola from Bayern Munich to the Premier League…..
[ffc-gallery]
PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE PLAYERS!
[/ffc-gallery]
Thiago Alcantara
The last time Pep Guardiola chose to take charge of a different club in search of a new challenge, Thiago Alcantara was one player to follow him.
Alcantara made a name for himself at Bayern Munich, making 36 appearances and establishing himself as one of the best box-to-box midfielders for his age, and would be an ideal option for Guardiola at the heart of the City midfield.
Although the blue side of Manchester have an endless list of talented midfielders including, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Yaya Toure, etc, Alcantara has a lot to offer.
Being only 24-years-old, the young midfielder has his best years to come and would be a valuable investment for the Premier League side.
Kingsley Coman
One of the younger players who is trying to make a name for himself at Bayern Munich is Kingsley Coman, a 19-year-old winger who is currently on-loan from Juventus.
Coman has already impressed at Ligue 1 giants, Paris St Germain, after a loan-stint with them previously and is reaping the rewards of his early experiences as his potential is showing through at Bayern.
With Coman understandably grateful to Guardiola for giving him his big break in the Bundesliga, Guardiola knows that this youngster has potential in abundance and may well think of him as an investment for the future.
Robert Lewandowski
If Pep Guardiola was to be appointed at Manchester City, I’d imagine the complete number 9 that is Robert Lewandowski would be one player he’d be desperate to tempt to the Premier League.
Although Manchester City have the undeniably talented Sergio Aguero capable of bagging goals for them, but the Polish international currently tearing up the Bundesliga would be any manager’s dream signing.
Scoring goals of all kinds regardless of the match’s importance, City may need to really splash to cash to bring this goal threat to the Etihad, something that could be a real possibility if Guardiola takes charge.
Aymeric Laporte
One of the players that Guardiola has already revealed that he has a keen interest in is French defender, Aymeric Laporte, who is currently at La Liga side, Athletic Bilbao.
The 6 ft 2 centre half has been enjoying his time at Bilbao since signing for them in 2012, but with Manchester City’s captain, Vincent Kompany, going through a rough patch with injuries, Guardiola’s first job at City may well be to strengthen his defensive options.
Laporte is only 21-years-old and, like Coman and Alcantara, he also has his best years ahead of him so may be another investment for the future.
Neymar
He may well be an unrealistic name to be thrown into the mix, but there has always been plenty of quiet speculation suggesting that Neymar will make a move to the Premier League, or at least away from Barcelona at some point in the future.
It’s no secret to football fans that Manchester City definitely have the financial capability to secure the services of some of Europe’s best talents, and have quickly built themselves a reputation as consistent title contenders.
Neymar will be on every manager’s wish list once the January transfer window opens but out of all the Premier League clubs, only Manchester City and Chelsea seemed realistic destinations for the young Brazilian.
With Chelsea having a season from hell, Guardiola’s appointment at City may result in an optimistic bid for Neymar, but only time will tell.
