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Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates scoring his sides second goal during the la Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Real Betis Balompie at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 20, 2013 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)
Man City have had a torrid time in the Champions League, and with all the millions the owners have put into the club, winning the Champions league is the goal. When Roman Abramovich took over Chelsea, he was desperate to win the Champions League and it took them nearly 10 years to achieve. Man City may have to wait a few years for the Champions League trophy, but with the right team, it may come around quicker than expected.
Looking at the team Man City has already, it looks a very good side, lots of internationals and a good mix of youth and experience. Hart, Zabaleta, Clichy, Kompany and Nastasic is a solid foundation for City, but may need to be strengthened as Clichy has looked vulnerable and Kompany could even be used to add steel in central midfield. In the defensive midfield role he played in his younger days at Anderlecht, and especially Hamburg, Kompany would provide a huge wall for teams to get around. Remember, City bought Kompany as a defensive midfielder before gradually moving him back. He would slot in to centre back when the opposition attack and City lack numbers at the back. It would also allow the full backs greater license to get forward and provide width, something City struggled with last season.
Playing the usual Pellegrini 4-2-3-1 system, Kompany and Fernandinho would be an excellent barrier between midfield and defence; this is something City lacked last season with just Barry as the holding player. Replacing Kompany could come in the form of Mats Hummels of Borussia Dortmund. The German international has heaps of experience and would be a calming influence at the back. Hummels reached the Champions League final with Dortmund last season and has won everything German domestic football has to offer, so he knows how to see out games. City could use him to make a better foundation to push for more silverware. He knows how to win and not wilt under pressure. Hummels would come at a huge cost and would most likely want to stay in Germany, but if a big bid came in and a possible player swap, it would have Dortmund thinking, especially with Gotze and Lewandowskito replace.
In midfield it would be best for City if they went with Kompany and Fernandinho in deep lying midfield, and a combination of Navas, Silva, Aguero and Yaya in the attacking three behind the forward. They all possess the talent to create chances or score from nothing, and these types of players need more help in the holding midfield role so they can express themselves with more freedom. Maybe a rotation system would suit City and the massive fixture list they are about to face this season.
Upfront, City have Tevez and Dzeko as their main strikers. Guidetti can come into the team but will find playing time limited unless City can play him with Aguero or Dzeko as a partner upfront in some games. With the likely departure of Tevez, Man City will need a different type of forward to the big target man presence of Dzeko and the guile and elegance of fox in the box style of Aguero and Guidetti. City will need an ‘off the shoulder of the last defender’ forward to have variety their attacking line up. Karim Benzema of Real Madrid would fit the bill perfectly and he would complement the attacking three in midfield with his endless running and natural predator instincts.
Benzema has also won everything Spanish and French football has to offer and has been part of the France team for 6 years. He has done all this at just 25 years old. Benzema will have a big transfer fee and expected wage, but if City would like to progress in the tournament, then a top player like Benzema will get them that step closer. With Real Madrid close to signing Edinson Cavani and looking to get Alvaro Morata more game time, they may feel they can let him go.
If City are serious about winning the Champions League, they will need to invest in players who will change their approach to different teams and systems. Buying average players for large sums of money hasn’t worked for City, and they need to have learned their lesson by now. City need impact signings to win the biggest prize, and these two are realistic game changing options.
