Manchester City’s major priority in the January transfer window is signing a midfielder. It is something that simply has to be done. Pep Guardiola’s side cannot continue past the January transfer window without strengthening their squad. As it stands now, City’s players are fatigued, out of form and a host of players have been plagued by injury issues. Fresh legs, especially in midfield are a must for the world champions.
With that in mind, a new report from Sami Mokbel for the Daily Mail indicates that Adam Wharton and Martin Zubimendi are looming as January targets for Manchester City. There is a case to strengthen Manchester City’s midfield with both players. But that does look to be an unrealistic scenario at this stage. If the champions are to add one of the pair it would have to be Martin Zubimendi. The Spanish international looks to be the only player capable of filling the void left by Rodri’s season-ending knee injury.
Martin Zubimendi would complement what Manchester City have and the role he would be tasked with filling isn’t foreign to him.
When you look at Manchester City’s recent games you can see the gaping holes in their midfield. Without Rodri, and more recently, City lacks a proper number 6 to sit in front of their defence. There are a myriad of other issues plaguing Pep Guardiola’s side but their midfield lacks bite. It also lacks a player who can help plug the gaps at the back and maintain possession in midfield. The loss of Rodri has shown this. Mateo Kovacic getting injured on international duty has further amplified the problem. Those are traits that stand out in Martin Zubimendi’s game.
When you see Zubimendi play for Real Sociedad or Spain his positioning in midfield is elite. Playing as a number 6 he knows exactly where to position himself. He plays in a similar style to Rodri, but he isn’t as complete a player as the Ballon d’Or winner. Another strong attribute of Zubimendi’s game is his strength in a challenge and his ability to time a tackle. Whether it is in the air or on the ground the Spanish international knows exactly when and how to regain possession. That attribute alone would be a welcome addition to City’s midfield.
On the ball Zubimendi oozes class. As with all Spanish midfielders, the Real Sociedad stalwart has a wide range of passing. He rarely panics when in possession and his range of passing is superb. Zubimendi can also dictate the tempo of a game and that is an attribute has been missing from Manchester City’s play. Ilkay Gundogan can do it, as he showed against Feyenoord in midweek. But he does lack support in that area of the pitch without Rodri and Kovacic alongside him. Zubimendi would be a welcome addition to City’s midfield as he could help Pep Guardiola’s side regain the control of games that they crave.
If Martin Zubimendi is Manchester City’s man getting him out of Real Sociedad could be the biggest obstacle in front of the world champions.
As a player, Martin Zubimendi would be an immense addition to Manchester City’s midfield. As mentioned above his playing style is arguably the closest to Rodri’s in world football. He is also a quality player in his own right. But there may be one major stumbling block for City to overcome if they do decide to move for Martin Zubimendi.
Last summer Martin Zubimendi rejected a move to Liverpool. As reported by Sky Sports the Spanish international chose to stay at his home club. Zubimendi’s loyalty to Real Sociedad is admirable and could prove to be a massive stumbling block for Manchester City to overcome. As per Sky Sports report there is a £51 million release clause in Zubimendi’s current contract. The challenge is for Manchester City to convince the Spanish international that his future lies away from his boyhood club.
But if Manchester City decide that Zubimendi is their man and can convince him to part ways with Real Sociedad they may land the perfect player to solve their midfield woes. Zubimendi is an exceptional player and his game looks well suited to a role in Pep Guardiola’s squad. It now remains to be seen if City will move for the Spanish international in January. But their need for another midfielder is obvious. If they can land Zubimendi they would be adding a midfielder for now and for the future. That would be the ideal addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad in January based on Manchester City’s needs.
