Manchester City look to be aiming to add two players to replace Kevin De Bruyne | OneFootball

At the end of this season, Kevin De Bruyne will leave Manchester City. His impending departure does represent the end of an era at the club. How Manchester City replace what De Bruyne brings to Pep Guardiola’s squad will be fascinating to watch unfold this summer. For me, De Bruyne is irreplaceable. There isn’t a like-for-like replacement for the City legend. But if City were to add two midfielders to replace elements of De Bruyne’s game that would paint a different picture. Based on several reports that seems to be Manchester City’s plan this summer.

Morgan Gibbs-White and Florian Wirtz could add what Kevin De Bruyne brought to Manchester City in his prime.

The first thoughts of what Manchester City will need to replace Kevin De Bruyne always go to his creativity and ability in the final third. De Bruyne, throughout his City career, has always been the ultimate lock pick. His passing ability is second to none, and his penchant for scoring crucial goals is well-known. But in his prime De Bruyne was able to get around the pitch with his athleticism. He could drive at City’s opponent’s defence and also track back when required. As he’s gotten older and age and injuries have caught up to him that ability has faded. It is an element of his play that Manchester City must replace this summer.

But finding one player who adds the skills and athleticism of peak Kevin De Bruyne is almost impossible. That type of player doesn’t exist. But if Manchester City aim to sign two players to fill that void it begins to be a move that makes sense. To replace the athleticism prime Kevin De Bruyne brought to Pep Guardiola’s side, Morgan Gibbs-White could do that. His ability to get around the pitch is a key component of his game. He is also very good technically. Fabrizio Romano reported yesterday that City were looking to advance their move for Gibbs-White in the coming weeks. So that fills one area of De Bruyne’s game that City have lost if they could sign the England international.

Signing Florian Wirtz would add creativity to Manchester City’s midfield.

Morgan Gibbs-White would add creativity to Manchester City’s midfield. You can see that when you watch him play for Nottingham Forest. But he isn’t the same type of player as De Bruyne. Gibbs-White isn’t a like-for-like De Bruyne replacement. He shouldn’t be viewed that way.

It’s well-known that Manchester City are hoping to sign Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz this summer. James Holland has reported for TeamTalk that Manchester City may have an advantage in the race to sign Wirtz. It is reported by Holland that Bayer Leverkusen are reluctant to sell Wirtz to Bayern Munich. Instead, they’d rather sell him abroad to either Manchester City or Real Madrid. That situation could play into Manchester City’s hands.

As a player, Florian Wirtz isn’t a like-for-like replacement for De Bruyne either. Yes, he plays in a similar position. But he plays it differently. Typically, he lines up on the left, and at times, he drifts all over the pitch. But generally speaking, he plays on the left-hand side for Leverkusen. That’s not a role De Bruyne typically fulfilled. The skillset of Wirtz isn’t the same as De Bruyne’s either. Yes, Wirtz can unlock a defence with his passing and dribbling, but he’s more of a goal-scorer than De Bruyne. Wirtz would add creativity to City’s midfield, but in a different manner to what De Bruyne provided for so long.

Summary.

It seems that the pair of Morgan Gibbs-White and Florian Wirtz are Manchester City’s targets to replace what De Bruyne brought to Pep Guardiola’s squad. Their games would add elements of De Bruyne’s game to the City set-up. If you look at either player as a like-for-like replacement for De Bruyne you’d likely be disappointed. But if you view them as a pairing and what their games could potentially add to Pep Guardiola’s squad you can see how they’d replace what De Bruyne brought to Manchester City in his prime. It’s a tantalising prospect to consider, although it would be a costly move for Manchester City to bring in both players. But it is a move that makes sense on multiple fronts for Manchester City to make this summer.