The Suggestions Box: Man City & Pep still have places to improve

By most accounts, Pep Guardiola’s first season at Manchester City didn’t really live up to expectations. And now the pressure is on second time around.

Pep has made plenty of moves already this summer, spending well over £100m, but that doesn’t mean he’s finished just yet.

Here’s who could, and should, still be on City’s radar this summer…

Defence

This was City’s biggest problem area last season, and the worrying thing is that Nicolas Otamendi is still at the club.

It’s all good and well splashing out £75m on two right-backs, but it’s at centre-half where City could be exposed once again.

Pep can’t rely on Vincent Kompany either, to lead a two-pronged domestic and European attack, so he must go and find a new, top-line centre-half.

Recommendations: Kalidou Koulibaly, Gerard Pique, Jerome Boateng

Midfield

City arguably have the best midfield in the business already.

Kevin de Bruyne, David Silva, Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gundogan are all top-class, while Raheem Sterling came on leaps and bounds last year too.

Pep has already brought in Bernardo Silva for added panache going forward, although improvements could be made on Fernando and Fernandinho in the defensive role.

Recommendations: Ivan Rakitic, Jorginho

Forward

There are no question marks over the ability of Sergio Aguero and Jesus Navas, but City do lack a plan B for when things get tough.

He’ll be aghast at the thought of a long ball, but Pep could do with finding a physical presence to chuck up front from time to time.

Recommendations: Olivier Giroud, Fernando Llorente, Andrea Belotti

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing