With Manchester City now through to the knockout stages of the Champions League for the third consecutive time, having topped the group for the first time, many of the club’s fans believe that they are finally going places in European competition.
However, rival fans have other ideas and believe that it will be a long time yet before City are seriously competing with the likes of elite European teams, such as Bayern Munich and Barcelona – the latter of which have been the team that has knocked City out of the competition in the previous two campaigns at the round of 16 stage.
So in this article, we will be looking at five signings who would make the Blues genuine Champions League contenders in the coming years.
Hit Pellegrini below to see FIVE signings that would make his side Champions League contenders!
[ffc-gallery]
[/ffc-gallery]
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Manchester City have struggled at times without star striker Sergio Aguero when he has been injured, and while City’s other Champions League eligible forward Wilfried Bony has scored goals relatively consistently this season, he has failed to impress fans with his relative lack of and unwillingness to make runs off the ball.
Paris Saint-Germain and Sweden international striker Zlatan Ibrahimović has had an illustrious career with teams like Juventus, Milan and Barcelona, and despite being 34-years of age, he is still performing at the top level – something which is attracting the attentions of City’s rivals Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.
Paul Pogba
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba performed excellently against Manuel Pellegrini’s men in both appearances against them in the group stage of the Champions League this season, and he was unlucky not to top the group with the Italian outfit.
The Frenchman was also unlucky not to win the Champions League last season, having performed incredibly well until the defeat in the final of the competition against Spanish giants Barcelona.
With Yaya Toure expected to leave the club within the next couple of years and Fernando not being exactly the most impressive of players, Pogba would certainly be an ideal replacement, as he is already a confident, talented midfielder with years ahead of him.
Isco
Having previously played under current City boss Manuel Pellegrini at Malaga, Spanish midfielder Isco is still linked with a switch to the Etihad despite moving to Real Madrid over the Blues.
With City often restricted to a choice of three between David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Jesus Navas in the attacking areas behind the striker, they may well appreciate the creativity and vision provided by Isco, who can also play in a deeper role, in both the short-term and long-term.
Gareth Bale
Another Real Madrid who would certainly make an impact for Manchester City in Europe is winger Gareth Bale. Following his world-record £85 million transfer in 2013, the Welshman has already won the Champions League.
City fans will be very familiar with Bale after his time spent with English side Tottenham Hotspur, where he would regularly score quality goals against City. The 24-year old is another player who would play both an immediate and a long-term role in the City team with his dribbling, finishing and passing abilities, were he to sign for the club.
Pep Guardiola
Perhaps another aspect of City’s game to take into account is the managerial capability of the coach in charge at the helm of the club. While Manuel Pellegrini has provided the goods on a domestic level, his tactics for City and their respective performances in the Champions League have often be questionable.
However, with Bayern Munich boss currently in the final year of his contract, and with no sign of a renewal, several of the top European clubs will certainly be competing for his signature before the season draws to a close.
Having won the Champions League twice with Barcelona, current City and ex-Barcelona executives Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano could possibly play a major role in persuading Spanish manager Guardiola to take over the reins at the Etihad.
