Manchester City: Key positions to reassess this summer

Central midfielder

Current options: Yaya Toure, Fernandinho, Fabian Delph and Fernando

What a difference half a season makes. Throughout the summer it was apart that Manchester City want-away Yaya Toure would leave the club. Now, he has become an inaugural part of Guardiola’s starting rotation. Despite his comeback, Toure’s days are numbered in Manchester and City will look to replace the center-midfielder.

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Fernando has struggled to retain a regular place in the starting XI, since joining Manchester City in 2014 after joining with much anticipation. Fabian Delph has been riddled with injury since transferring from Aston Villa and if he stay’s healthy, could be a natural holding midfielder to partner with Fernandinho. Promoting either of these two would be the more cost-effective measure but they remain relatively untested within the City squad.

City are not lacking in creativity upfront but will need a midfielder who is able to holdup play when needed and create interceptions. Ivan Rakitic could fit that role but he also enjoys going forward, similarly to Fernandinho.

Another name that has been on City’s radar—and could very well be again—is Toni Kroos. The German seems to be enjoying life in Madrid but Real are reportedly willing to listen to offers for the player. Acquiring Kroos would come at a high cost but with City’s deep pockets, nothing seems unrealistic.