A look at the Manchester City squad shows that Rico Lewis and Kyle Walker are currently Pep Guardiola’s options at right-back. Rico Lewis started the season strongly but has appeared tired after having to play so often. In Kyle Walker’s case, he has made a slow start to the season. Injury, a lack of pre-season training, and perhaps age appear to have caught up to Walker. Looking forward, could Manchester City benefit from signing a right-back either in January or next summer? I think there’s a strong case for either move.
Steve Kay has reported for Football Transfers that Bayer Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong is a player that Pep Guardiola admires. Furthermore, Kay adds that Frimpong reportedly has a good relationship with the Manchester City manager. Kay further reports that Guardiola has reportedly asked City to sign two defenders next summer. The other player linked to City in Kay’s report is Brentford defender Sepp van den Berg.
There is a case for Manchester City to sign a right-back either in January or next summer and both are compelling.
In my opinion, it appears clear that Manchester City will need a new right-back next summer at the latest. As good as Kyle Walker has been during his time at the club he does appear to be coming to the end of his career. This season has seen a decline in Walker’s form. As mentioned above there are reasons for that. But it does seem that the England international has lost a yard of pace. At 34 years of age that is understandable. In the case of Rico Lewis, he looks to be better suited to playing as a midfielder. He is more than serviceable playing at right-back but he does his best work in a midfield role. For those reasons, there is a case for Manchester City signing a new right-back.
Signing a player like Jeremie Frimpong in January would almost be the ideal move for Manchester City to make. It would immediately alleviate City’s issues at the position. Although, it has to be said that Frimpong thrives going forward rather than defensively. But he is a different type of player to either Kyle Walker or Rico Lewis. Signing Frimpong for example, would round out City’s squad. But it doesn’t appear a move in January could be a realistic option.
Manchester City making a move for Jeremie Frimpong next summer makes sense. Kyle Walker may well depart the club at the end of the season. That depends on how the England international wants to finish his career in my view. If he were to leave that would create an opening at right-back at the world champions. That’s where signing a player like Frimpong would make perfect sense.
There is a case for Manchester City to move for a right-back either in January or next summer. Both are compelling but it does seem like a move City could make shortly. In my opinion, Jeremie Frimpong would be a quality addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad. It now remains to be seen if Manchester City do decide to move for the Dutch international.
