Manchester City look to be targeting a specific set of needs in midfield | OneFootball

Manchester City looks to be targeting a specific type of midfielder this summer. That has become clear as Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders continue to be linked with a summer move to City. Sempre Milan has relayed a report from Fabrizio Romano that Manchester City are in advanced talks with AC Milan over a deal to sign Reijnders. Fraser Fletcher has previously reported for TeamTalk that Morgan Gibbs-White wants a summer move to the Etihad.

Both players would add drive, energy, and quality to Manchester City’s midfield. There is no doubt about that. But on closer inspection, there appears to be a specific set of skills that both players possess that Manchester City are targeting this summer.

Morgan Gibbs-White would add what Manchester City are screaming out for in midfield.

Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White has had a superb season for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. He has been their most important player during their 24/25 season. Forest has a chance to secure Champions League football for next season, entering the final day of this season. Gibbs-White has been a key component of Forest’s strong season. But his best attributes do seem to be almost the ideal fit in Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Looking at the strengths of Morgan Gibbs-White’s game there are plenty. He is an intelligent player, and his immense tactical ability stands out in his play. Those attributes would fit immediately into the Manchester City squad. But those are only small elements of Gibbs-White’s play.

Morgan Gibbs-White is blessed with a tremendous work rate. He is willing to get back defensively and work hard for his team going forward. But going forward is where Morgan Gibbs-White shines. The England international can unlock defences with his supreme vision and passing ability. Morgan Gibbs-White can play a quality long ball or defence-splitting through ball. His delivery from out wide is also lethal at times, and that has seen Chris Wood prosper up front for Nottingham Forest. Also, Gibbs-White is blessed with exceptional close control and a quality first touch. That helps him play in tight spaces.

Looking at Morgan Gibbs-White’s strengths, I believe Manchester City are aiming to sign him for his delivery, work rate and ability to play in tight spaces. Those attributes of Gibbs-White appear suited to a role in Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Tijjani Reijnders looks to be the prototypical City midfielder.

Everything about Tijjani Reijnders screams a potential Manchester City midfielder. Reijnders is blessed with exceptional technical ability. He gets around the pitch well, and he has the drive and goal-scoring ability that City’s midfield desperately needs. But there is a lot more to Reijnders game than that.

First of all, Tijjani Reijnders is a versatile player. He can play in a variety of roles across midfield. That versatility is something Pep Guardiola does like in a player, especially in a midfielder. You couple this versatility with Reijnders’ ability to control the tempo of a game and you can see why Manchester City are so eager to sign him. The ability to control a game that Reijnders possesses would immediately slot into the Manchester City midfield.

As would his immense passing ability. Tijjani Reijnders is blessed with the ability to play every kind of pass. Be it a long ball, short pass, incisive through ball. Those abilities would slot into Pep Guardiola’s midfield. Reijnders is also immense at carrying the ball which is another ability that would be of great benefit to the Manchester City midfield. Reijnders isn’t strong defensively, but he isn’t that type of player. He’s a machine in possession and his passing ability, goal-scoring and ability to carry the ball are what I believe Manchester City are aiming to add to their midfield.

Summary.

If Manchester City could sign Morgan Gibbs-White and Tijjani Reijnders it would immensely improve their midfield. I believe City are aiming to add a specific set of attributes to their midfield this summer. Gibbs-White and Reijnders appear to have them in spades and the hope is that City can sign the pair this summer.