Dortmund's Norwegian forward Erling Braut Haaland (L) celebrates scoring his team's third goal to lead 3:2 during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Borussia Dortmund and VfL Bochum in Dortmund, western Germany on April 30, 2022. - DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images)
3 signings Man City should make after Erling Haaland
Aurelien Tchouameni could be a nice addition to an already stacked Manchester City midfield. (Photo by John Berry/Getty Images)
Manchester City finally signed the missing piece of their puzzle, confirming the acquisition of much-in-demand Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.
Pep Guardiola’s side has been craving a quality No. 9 the last few years; now they’ve gotten one of the best in the world.
Despite spending over £50m on Haaland’s signing, City’s summer transfer business is far from done. They still need to bring in a few more players if they want to break their Champions League curse and win gold next season.
So here are the three signings City should look to make after Haaland.
Denzel Dumfries as Kyle Walker’s alternative
It wasn’t a coincidence that Man City disintegrated after Kyle Walker was substituted in the second leg of the Champions League semifinals against Real Madrid. The first goal came through the right side and could’ve been averted by a better defender.
With Walker developing injury issues, Pep Guardiola could again go hunting for another fullback in the summer market. If he wants a more attack-minded one, Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries can be an ideal option. The 26-year-old Dutchman has been impressive in Serie A, scoring 5 goals and registering 4 assists in 31 appearances.
Dumfries’ strengths include dominance in aerial duels, creating chances and maintaining defensive concentration (as per WhoScored).
He’d be the ideal alternative to Walker and could rotate with the Englishman to keep City’s right-hand side well-guarded at all times. The Dutchman is valued at just €20m (as per Transfermarkt) – an amount Guardiola’s side can definitely pay to sign a versatile, robust right-back.
Aurelian Tchouameni the next big midfielder at Man City?
With Fernandinho set to leave the club in the summer, Man City will fall a bit short in the defensive midfield position. Piling the responsibility of an important role on Rodri can be a risk Guardiola might not want to take.
City have the perfect opportunity to replace an old defensive midfielder with an up-and-comer. Aurelien Tchouameni has been turning heads at elite European clubs with his impressive work for AS Monaco this season. In fact, as per AS, City are said to be very interested in signing him.
The 22-year-old Frenchman is a proactive defensive midfielder, the complete package. WhoScored identifies his strengths as winning aerial duels, tackling, ability to intercept/disrupt possession and blocking shots. He’s a gritty, unrelenting midfielder who won’t shy away from going the extra mile to help his side dominate.
AS Monaco won’t let him go for cheap and will want £80m for Tchouameni (as per the Daily Mail) in the summer. That might look excessive, but would be well worth it for the player dubbed “The next N’Golo Kante.” And that is exactly the type of player Guardiola’s side needs to continue their dominance for years to come.
Raphael Guerreiro as a back-up attacking option
As weird as it may sound, City probably need a few more fullbacks to improve their squad and create the perfect atmosphere for Haaland to shine. Their left-back area probably needs some changing. While Joao Cancelo is operating in that side brilliantly, he isn’t a natural left-back. Oleksandr Zinchenko isn’t as reliable as Pep wants.
City could be forced to look for a talented left-back and could actually go back to Borussia Dortmund for that. The Citizens can push for a move for Dortmund left-back Raphael Guerreiro, who has proven to be a pretty good left-back in the Bundesliga the last couple of seasons.
Guardiola’s side were interested in Guerreiro last year (as per Fichajes) and can reignite that in the summer. The Portuguese left-back is a thunderous player on the left, as he loves marching up and down to torment opponents.
He has 4 goals and 2 assists in the Bundesliga this season and is renowned for his exceptional crossing ability and popping into key scoring areas. The Dortmund man can also play as a winger or centre-midfielder. He’d be a real versatile buy for City.
Valued at just €35m (as per Transfermarkt), he can be a smart, economical signing. An electric attacking full-back like Guerreiro can help bring a new element to City’s style by helping create more chances through the left, set up chances for Haaland and give Cancelo some breathing room next season.
