Pep Guardiola boasts a midfield most managers would dream of having (Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden), but he might have to bring in at least one new face next summer due to the uncertain futures of Silva and Gundogan.
Silva has wanted to join Barcelona for the last two years while Gundogan could leave when his contract is up next summer, so Guardiola could do with a player that can create chances while also dominating the middle of the park if the pair move on.
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Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham is a player on City’s shortlist and Dean Jones says Guardiola is “in awe” of the 19-year-old. He was full of praise for Bellingham when City faced Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday, calling him “the whole package”, so there’s no doubt he’s a player Pep would love to have.
Jones told Give Me Sport: “I think Guardiola is genuinely in awe of this guy in some ways. When he sees players with legitimate ability, he is willing to praise them. There’s no doubt he rates him.” Bellingham joined the German outfit on a five-year deal in 2020 and has made 109 appearances in all competitions, scoring 19 goals with 20 assists.
His numbers in the Bundesliga this season show he’s a gifted footballer, possessing an eye for goal (3 goals and 1 assist in 12 games), being creative (11 chances made), having dominance in the air (17/25 aerial duels won), carrying the ball from deep (29/59 successful dribbles) and turning over possession (37 tackles and 19 interceptions), but he will cost in excess of £100m to sign.
In other news, Issa Kabore scores goal and has 2nd most tackles and crosses in 2-2 draw
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