Pep Guardiola has had some huge moments during his career. Winning trophies, signing incredible players, and leading generation-defining teams only tell part of the story. His career over the last few years has been truly remarkable, and it’s only getting more intense.
Guardiola and Man City are facing a threat from Liverpool at present, who are trying to move past the Citizens in the race for Premier League supremacy, and it will be down to the manager to ensure that City stay in front.
However, looking beyond the end of the present, Guardiola will have even bigger fish to fry.
Throughout his time in Manchester, Guardiola has had the benefiit of having an incredible group of players that are all perfectly suited to his system. They know their role, and they can all be relied on to play well each and every week. At the centre of that process has been Fernandinho – both figuratively and literally.
As the central midfielder, the Brazilian sits in the middle of the pitch and helps to contribute to all phases of play. Defensively, he’s always looking to sniff out trouble, intercept balls and tackle opponents, whilst he’s also capable moving forward and is able to pass the ball into dangerous positions and into the feet of City’s more offensive players. It’s an incredibly tough role to play, as it is effectively the area of the pitch in which Guardiola’s system comes together. If a player isn’t up to the task, they’re easily exposed, and to play there, a perfect mix of attack and defence is required.
Fernandinho has offered that in droves thus far, but long-term, Guardiola is going to have to look elsewhere. At 34-years-old, the Brazilian can’t be expected to play the role for years to come, and truthfully, this is likely to be his last season in which he’s physically able to play the role every week. That leaves Guardiola with a decision, and it’s a very very significant one.
If he signs the wrong player, it could all go wrong for City. All it will take is a single injury to Fernandinho, and that will leave the Citizens without strength in the most important area of the field. Meanwhile, if he signs the right player, City will be in the perfect position. They’ll have a younger option that can continue to play every single week, and the transition into the team could be seamless, meaning that there will be no adaption time required.
Clearly, then, this is a hugely important decision for City. They can’t afford to make a mistake, and if they do, it’ll come back on Pep Guardiola. This isn’t just another deal for the club. It could define Guardiola’s tenure, it’s that important. Life after Fernandinho will be a new era for the club; and who replaces him will have a huge impact on whether that era is a good or bad one.
According to ESPN, Saul Niguez is the man that City have identified as the perfect solution, and it a deal for the Spaniard goes through, it will certainly be interesting to see if he’s able to adapt. He’s got a lot of talent, but this role requires more ability than anywhere else on the field. It’s going to be an interesting few months at the Etihad, that’s for sure.
Man City fans – is Saul Niguez the man for City? Who do you want to replace Fernandinho? Let us know below!
