As the new football season approaches, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who earns £378,846 a week, is facing a pivotal period of preparation and decision-making. With the conclusion of City’s pre-season tour of the United States, Guardiola’s focus shifts to optimizing his squad for the upcoming campaign.
Preparing for the Season
Guardiola’s challenge will be to ensure Manchester City starts the season strongly and maintains peak performance levels throughout. However, the absence of key players like Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, and John Stones from pre-season could mean they need time to reach full match fitness.
Squad Management and Transfer Concerns
In addition to managing player fitness, Guardiola must navigate potential squad changes. With Julian Alvarez rumored to be a target for Atletico Madrid, Guardiola is contemplating how to replace him if his departure is finalized. Atletico Madrid is reportedly interested in Alvarez and has proposed a swap deal involving Joao Felix, offering him to Manchester City on a season-long loan with an option to buy.
Evaluating Joao Felix as a Replacement
The potential arrival of Joao Felix at Manchester City raises questions about how he would fit into Guardiola’s system. Felix, praised as a “world-class player” by Roberto Martinez, has shown talent but struggled with consistency in previous stints at Chelsea, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid.
Manchester City’s current roster already includes talented attacking midfielders such as Foden, De Bruyne, and Bernardo Silva, who can also play as makeshift forwards. Given this depth, Felix’s addition might not significantly enhance the squad’s capabilities.
Future Considerations
Guardiola’s primary concern will be finding a suitable replacement for Alvarez if he leaves. The challenge lies in identifying a striker who can match Alvarez’s qualities or adapt the squad to mitigate his absence. With Erling Haaland leading the line, City has a formidable striker, but Guardiola must ensure there is adequate cover if Haaland becomes unavailable.
Conclusion
As Manchester City gears up for the new season, Pep Guardiola faces a series of critical decisions regarding player fitness, potential transfers, and squad depth. While the prospect of Joao Felix joining on loan could add a new dimension, it remains to be seen if he will offer the added value City needs. Guardiola’s expertise will be crucial in navigating these challenges and ensuring Manchester City remains competitive at the highest level.
