After winning four straight league titles, Manchester City is having an unusually difficult season and now sits sixth in the Premier League. It will take a lot of work for Pep Guardiola’s team to restore their title and win five straight.
City has the most shots per game (17.5), the most possession (61.6%), and the fewest shots per game (9.3) in the Premier League. Nevertheless, despite their superior defensive play, City boasts the league’s greatest xG per shot allowed (0.18), which highlights their backline’s inefficiency.
The midfield balance has been seriously upset by Rodri’s injury absence, and the aging team’s lack of youthful energy has made it clear that a major rebuild is required. There may be changes coming soon as the January transfer window draws near.
Musiala Jamal Targeted as the Successor of De BruyneThe Times claims that Jamal Musiala is being considered by City as a possible Kevin De Bruyne successor. The 21-year-old midfielder for Bayern Munich is thought to be a key target going into the new year. However, Football Insider suggests Bayern has no intention of parting with Musiala during the mid-season window.
The German international has not yet agreed to a new deal with Bayern, which City may try to take advantage of, so his future is still up in the air. Real Madrid, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool are among the teams showing interest in Musiala.
Musiala’s Outstanding SeasonThis season, Musiala has made 22 appearances in all competitions, playing 1,609 minutes and dishing out 14 goals and six assists. He is a perfect match for a Manchester City team that has to reinvent itself because of his enthusiasm and inventiveness. Whether a deal is reached in January or later is still up in the air.
How De Bruyne compares to Musiala
Kevin De Bruyne is undoubtedly one of Guardiola’s most important players; he missed a few months due to a hamstring issue. Guardiola’s remarks upon the Belgian’s return demonstrate his continued importance to this City team, as the Spaniard said, “I am so happy he is back.”
This season, the 33-year-old has made 17 appearances, playing 898 minutes and dishing out two goals and two assists.
But as he gets older, the Belgian’s availability is waning, and bringing in a player like Musiala might be the superior substitute the star midfielder needs.
Musiala’s ability to pick up the ball in deep channel pockets and propel the team forward is evident when comparing the two. He would give City an extra carrying quality with 4.17 progressive carries per 90 and 3.14 successful take-ons per 90, both of which are crucial when facing man-to-man pressing schemes in the modern game.
Musiala is effective with his important passing, making 2.50 per 90 (slightly less than De Bruyne’s 3.10), demonstrating a solid grasp of his passing decision-making even though he doesn’t quite have the same passing range as De Bruyne. The German’s impact for Vincent Kompany’s team thus far this season has led Jacek Kulig to call him a “unbelievable” talent.
A player who averages 10.1 progressive passes per game will never be easy to replace, but Musiala adds 6.22 of his own to the total, along with additional skills like carrying. In terms of Manchester City’s renovation, the £90 million Germany sensation might usher in a new era.
