How Manchester City could replace key veteran midfielder Fernandinho

Nine years later, the love affair on and off the field that blossomed between Manchester City and veteran midfielder Fernandinho is set to end when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Current club captain Fernandinho can be credited as one of the main catalysts for the club’s success on the pitch – apart from financial support – over the years, helping the club win eleven major trophies against four Premier League titles and six League Cup titles. English. , the FA Cup, and the appearance in the Champions League final.

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With a desire to playFernandinho has decided to return to his native Brazil after consulting his family, with his starting line-up status greatly diminished due to the form and influence of Spain international midfielder Rodri.

With Manchester City now facing life without one of the club’s greatest servants of the Premier League era, the question now becomes how Pep Guardiola and the club leadership intend to replace the Brazil international in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Now aged 36, Fernandinho has managed to play just six league games this season and seven other substitute matches despite being in the tour’s squad on 31 occasions. But despite his lack of minutes, his profile as a player has always been straightforward and as such it is likely that the hiring option would be another long-term option capable of engaging in a central midfield role, but also deeper as a ball-winner able to protect all four defenders. While he is tidy in possession and able to advance with the ball at his feet as well as through his passing range.

Looking at these criteria with citing key data points across FBRefHere are five midfielders Manchester City could be looking for in the summer to replace Fernandinho.

Boubacar Camara (22; Olympique de Marseille)

One of the outstanding players in the Olympique de Marseille team led by Jorge Sampaoli and currently second in Ligue 1 is a 22-year-old former French international. Boubacar Camara It is a hot commodity entering the summer window. proverbs Atletico MadridManchester United, West Ham, Tottenham and Inter Milan are all tracking the freely available Marseille national having decided to terminate his contract, but there is room to suggest he could fit the bill for City under Guardiola.

An excellent passer who excelled at playing a midfield at the Orange Velodrome, his age profile makes him ideally suited as a long-term successor to Fernandinho, and possibly also Rodri. His partial appearances at full-back provide some tactical flexibility as well, but as an outside shield that can fit into a possession-based system, he has to be taken into account.

Cheick Doucouré (22; Racing Club de Lens)

He is the second of three young midfielders who have been fantastic in Ligue 1 this season, and Racing Club des Lenses has been the best. Sheikh Dokuri Not only was he among the top performers of Lis Sang et al Under coach Frank Hayes, he is one of the key players in Ligue 1. More capable in the final third than the aforementioned Camara and much more progressive in every department while still present on the defensive side of the ball, Doucoury is undoubtedly destined to move away from northern France at some point.

Fitting the bill for what City require in a central player with mobility to withstand pressure, this could be a potential summer steal for Guardiola’s men which comparisons can certainly be made with former midfield dynamo Yaya Toure given their similar traits in both. ends of the playing field.

Maxence Cakeret (22; Olympique Lyon)

Perhaps one of the names many would have considered replacing the long-term Fernandinho for a reason other than his name has not emerged in the same vein as others in some football circles, but the young Olympique Lyonnais Maxines Kakeret It could be one of the unfamiliar options for Manchester City. A good arcade in itself, what stands out most about Caqueret is its usefulness in the defensive aspect of the game and how strong it is in pressing.

Courageous to step in and able to read passing lanes in the same vein, Caqueret has long been seen as a player for France’s future having played at all levels of youth in a big way. Taking a step towards Manchester City and working under Guardiola could speed up the process of climbing to the top in no time.

Amadou Haidara (24; RB Leipzig)

Another name that has been linked to the Premier League, but not Manchester City, is Amadou Hydara from Leipzig. Long-time rival Manchester United have been targeted by City, the 24-year-old Mali international likely to not only steal a run for one of their potential future title rivals, but to give them a central option that similarly repeats Fernandinho’s profile. In almost every section (listed below).

Although it He recently had an injury to his MCL This should keep him out for the majority of the rest of the season, Haïdara has been a real bright spot at Leipzig and increased his presence further as Leipzig embarked on an upward streak under Domenico Tedesco. His presence from the penalty area makes him capable on both ends of the field while also being useful in the opponent’s defensive area, and his ability to contribute throughout all phases of play cannot go unnoticed.

Matthews Nunes (23, Sporting Lisbon)

She already dreams of playing under Pep Guardiola At Manchester City, the stars may have already teamed up with Portuguese midfielder Matthews Nunes after the player ruled out a move to England’s national center via Wolverhampton while Guardiola has already described him as one of the best players in the world after their last encounter in England. Champions League. There’s certainly a lot to like about Nunes too, but by comparison, the 23-year-old from Rio de Janeiro struggles to face some of the other names mentioned.

Despite being one of the top players when it comes to successful pressures, the rest of the data on Nunes paints a picture of someone who is balanced throughout the gameplay, which is definitely a strength in itself. Guardiola’s ability to shape and develop talent to what it takes on the pitch means Nunes is one of the best canvases available that simply needs paint to start applying.

How do they stack up against each other

Note: All data collected from FBRef (npxG + xA = unexpected goals without penalty + expected passes, SCA = shot creation actions, PP = progressive passes, PC = progressive carry)

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