Al Wakrah SC stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar - November 26, 2022. England's James Maddison during training.
Man City are eyeing a summer move for Leicester City star James Maddison, with Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham also on the shortlist.
The Lowdown: Sky Blues silent…
The Premier League champions, barring a very unexpected exit for defender Joao Cancelo, were one of England’s quieter clubs as the January window draws to a close.
City are well stocked in all areas of the pitch with manager Pep Guardiola focused on the task in hand – delivering the club a third-successive league crown.
However, reports have suggested that Sky Blues transfer chiefs are drawing up plans for the summer already with links continuing to surround the likes of Bellingham.
The Latest: Man City eye Maddison move…
According to a report by The Daily Mail, alongside the Bundesliga midfielder, City are also eyeing a 2023 move for Maddison as the club draw up a list of summer targets.
It’s claimed that the Eastlands side have ‘identified’ Maddison as a target with Guardiola wanting to add ‘more goals’ from those behind star striker Erling Haaland.
The futures of both Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva are described as up in the air, with Leicester’s midfield maestro emerging as a candidate to shore up City’s future options.
The Verdict: Good candidate?
In terms of the numbers, it’s very interesting to compare Maddison’s league stats with that of Man City’s squad.
As per WhoScored, the 26-year-old’s average match rating of 7.29 is bested only by mainstay Blues trio Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri.
Going forward, meanwhile, only Haaland has attempted more shots at goal per 90 than Maddison domestically with De Bruyne coming as the only City star to rack up a higher rate of key passes (WhoScored).
If Guardiola wants to add more potency and goal threat behind Haaland then Maddison appears to be the perfect fit statistically.
The England international also has seven league goals so far this season, level with City starlet Phil Foden, and a further four assists – the same number as Rodri (WhoScored).
Maddison could seemingly slot right into Guardiola’s squad with the £110,00-per-week star also called a ‘super talent’ by members of the media.
Indeed, this transfer may well be one to watch out for this year.
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