Manchester City need to add more athleticism to their midfield next summer | OneFootball

We have seen the issues with the Manchester City midfield raise their head all throughout this season. Once Rodri went down with injury it was clear that City had a gaping hole in their engine room. But watching Real Madrid’s midfield and, in particular, Jude Bellingham, grow into the latter stages of last night’s match at the Etihad, you do sense that City must add more athletic midfielders to their squad next summer.

Jude Bellingham wasn’t outstanding for Real Madrid by any stretch last night. Although he did score the match-winner in Real Madrid’s 3-2 win last night. But what he could do was what City’s midfield couldn’t, which was get around the pitch during the latter stages of the game. Another player who did the same was Federico Valverde from right-back for Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Though he only pressed forward on one notable occasion of last night’s match in the second half. Those two players have the legs and athleticism that Manchester City’s midfield sorely lacks. It does appear to be a major area of the City squad that must be addressed in the summer.

Across this season we have seen teams get at Manchester City if they have the legs to do so. Whether that’s upfront or in midfield. Pep Guardiola’s side just doesn’t have the players capable of keeping up at the moment. Perhaps new signing Nico can but he’s only just arrived at the club. He needs time to grow into his role. Come the summer City should be targeting players such as Carlos Baleba from Brighton, Ederson from Atalanta or Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes for example. They’d add what City’s midfield so sorely lacks. They can get around pitch whether it’s going forward or tracking back. It would also see Pep Guardiola’s side play more modern football as you sense that what has served them so well during their era of dominance may have been passed over as football adapts, changes and evolves.

There are a host of areas for Manchester City to address in the summer transfer window. But they do need athleticism and speed in midfield. It goes without saying that any midfielder they sign must be good technically. But if they can add the legs they lack in midfield in the summer Pep Guardiola’s side could become a formidable opponent next season.