Team Focus: Is De Bruyne a Necessity for Manchester City?
As far as starts to the season go, Manchester City’s has gone very much according to plan. The only team to boast a 100% start to the campaign, having scored 8 goals and conceded 0, they have stated their intentions early on in their bid to usurp Chelsea atop England’s top tier. The 3-0 win over the defending champions earlier this month laid down a marker for what could well be a successful season for City.
The two-time Premier League champions are expectedly confident of securing top spot come May, though, despite such a great start to the new season, they are keen on strengthening further before the transfer window slams shut. The Kevin De Bruyne-shaped elephant in the room continues to rear its head as August creeps towards September, with the Citizens keen on landing the Belgian before Monday’s deadline.
Reports on Wednesday suggested a deal was close to completion, though Wolfsburg sporting director Klaus Allofs said on Thursday that the creator-in-chief will not join City “at this time”. Nevertheless, City are unlikely to give up in their pursuit of the youngster until it is impossible to secure his services. As one would expect, this is a deal that could go to the wire.
Indeed, if that were to be the case, Manuel Pellegrini’s side would certainly reap the benefits of signing one of Europe’s creative stars. Since the beginning of last season, De Bruyne has registered more assists (20) than any other player in Europe’s top 5 leagues. Only Dimitri Payet (140) has played more key passes than the Belgium international (113) over the same period - 10 more than potential teammate David Silva (103). As such, many may consider De Bruyne to be the final piece needed for Pellegrini to complete his City jigsaw.
While the primary concern over the summer was in the midfield and defence, areas rectified by the arrivals of Fabian Delph and Nicolás Otamendi, in attack, Pellegrini’s side required strengthening. Any side with Sergio Aguero and Silva to call on is hardly short of attacking talents but beyond the duo, City were rather thin in reserve. Indeed, their title charge stuttered when Silva was sidelined, with the likes of James Milner and Samir Nasri unable to replicate the performances of the 29-year-old Spaniard.
The duo were capable stand-ins in the attack, but neither are of the standard of Silva. In Sterling and De Bruyne, though, Pellegrini’s offensive options could improve. While the Chilean is unable to call on Milner’s tenacity in the final third, the now-Liverpool midfielder does not provide the same attacking threat as Sterling, with the summer arrival favouring to drive at the opposition with his explosive pace. A preference to cut onto his right from the left has also benefitted the marauding Aleksandar Kolarov, who has been one of City’s stand out performers already this season, along with Silva and Yaya Toure.
In De Bruyne, meanwhile, Pellegrini would have at his disposal a more consistent creator than Jesus Navas to complete his attacking midfield triumvirate. The Spaniard has started the season brightly, but his end product can leave a lot to be desired. Granted, he is capable of beating his opponent at a whim, but it counts for little when you can’t back that up with a goal or an assist.
The advantage of this, though, is that City can stretch opponents with ease. Sterling and Navas' pace on either flank deflects attention away from Silva in the middle of the park, allowing him to flourish. His WhoScored rating (8.25) is currently the second highest in the Premier League and his best in England since his move to City back in 2010. The introduction of De Bruyne could well hinder Silva’s impact behind the strikers, with the Spaniard suffocated by the Belgian’s preference to operate more centrally.
Furthermore, while breaking inside from the right would open up gaps in the attacking third, this would leave the right-back - at the moment the unassuming Bacary Sagna until Pablo Zabaleta’s return to fitness next month - dangerously exposed. Sagna’s fondness to remain closer to his goal rather than the opposition’s runs the risk of the Frenchman being doubled up on by opposing wingers and left-backs.
De Bruyne’s natural inclination to come inside from the right could certainly benefit City, particularly with Silva operating freely across the final third and Aguero constantly on the move, but it’s a risk. With Navas, the speedster hogging the touchline means opposing left-backs would feel less inclined to push forward, with the 29-year-old capable of tracking back to support the defence. Navas’ average of 2 tackles per game is bettered only by midfielder Fernandinho (3.3) of all City players this season, accentuating the hard work the winger puts in off the ball.
Last season, though, City lacked strength in depth in offensive areas beyond Silva, with Nasri and Navas often underwhelming. While the reliable presence of Milner has departed, Sterling replaced his compatriot and the prospective arrival of De Bruyne further swells City’s offensive ranks, so much so that the Citizens could rightly claim to have the best attack in the Premier League by a distance.
Dubbed ‘The Engineer’, Pellegrini, though, would have his work cut out to find a system that would ensure City maintain their fine start to the campaign, while not compromising their defensive solidity. As such, the arrival of De Bruyne could raise more questions than providing answers for the Citizens.
Will City win the league if they sign Kevin De Bruyne before the close of the transfer window? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
