3 players Manchester City should look to sign in summer of 2020

Manchester City has not been able to perform as their fans would have liked. The Blues of Manchester have been not been able to compete with Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool. One of the key reasons for the dip in the form of Guardiola's team is the unstable backline. With Aymeric Laporte been injured for the majority of the season and John Stones not performing up to the expectations, City's defense has only kept 8 clean sheets in 25 matches in the premier league and conceded 29 goals.

The injury to Laporte and inconsistency of John Stones and Nicolás Otamendi has forced Guardiola to play Fernandinho as a center-back. The influence of Fernandinho is massively missed in the midfield, with Rodri not able to adapt to the premier league as expected.

David Silva's departure in the summer is a huge void to be filled, with Leroy Sané's future still undecided regarding the speculation of him joining the German giants Bayern Munich. Here are the three players that can add more quality to the squad and help Pep's side to be back on the standards they previously set.

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#3 Marquinhos

Marquinhos has been a rock for PSG this season

Manchester City's defense has been quite unstable as there have been many changes in the backline with the likes of Aymeric Laporte out injured. Fernandinho has been filling in the center-back spot due to which there has been a huge gap in the midfield. To reach the previous heights, Pep Guardiola needs an experienced center-back.

Marquinhos is a perfect recruit for the cityzens as he and Aymeric Laporte can form a formidable center-back partnership next season. Marquinhos has been the first name in the starting eleven for the French giants - PSG. Currently recovering from a thigh muscle strain, the Brazilian has often been deployed as a defensive midfielder by Thomas Tuchel, showing his versatility on the pitch.

The €65 m rated defender averages 2.3 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game in 16 games played in the Ligue 1. The Brazilian national likes to play short passes and has a staggering 93.7 pass success percentage. Not only is he good at maintaining possession but can also play defense splitting passes, having a good eye for through balls. If City can sign Marquinhos for the coming season, they can have a lethal center-back partnership for a long time.

Note: All statistics as of February 13, 2020

#2 Martin Ødegaard

Martin Ødegaard has been in immaculate form for Real Sociedad

Martin Ødegaard has been in amazing form for Real Sociedad this season. The Norwegian midfielder is on loan from the Spanish giants - Real Madrid. With David Silva leaving the Etihad at the end of the season, Martin Ødegaard can help to fill in the void.

Even though Pep Guardiola has shown immense faith in the English wonder-kid - Phil Foden, and insists he can replace the Spanish maestro, the addition of Martin Ødegaard to the squad can prove to be highly fruitful. The 21-year-old has 4 goals and 5 assists to his name in 20 matches in the La Liga.

The €50m rated attacking midfielder is an amazing passer of the ball and has an eye for key passes in the attacking half of the field. The left-footed player can also play on the wing and has an amazing long shot range. Similar to David Silva, he likes to do layoffs and can even dribble in tight spaces.

Still, on loan with an option to further increase it another year, it will be difficult for the blues of Manchester to get Ødegaard on their books. But his addition can assist Pep Guardiola in rejuvenating the midfield.

#1 Richarlison

Richarlison in action for Everton FC

Richarlison arrived at Goodison Park in the summer of 2018 for a fee of €25 m from Watford. Ever since his arrival in the premier league, Richarlison has grown in reputation. He scored 13 goals in the first season for Everton, which made him a transfer target for many European giants.

The Brazilian is in fine form this season too, bagging 9 goals and 3 assists in 24 games in the premier league. He has recently been linked with a move to the Spanish giants - Barcelona. Richarlison is a strong dribbler of the ball and can put the ball in the net quite often than not. Both these abilities help him to play as a winger and as a striker. The €60m rated attacker also likes to tackle and has a high defensive work-rate as well. With Sergio Agüero not getting any younger and Leroy Sané close to a move to Bayern Munich, the 22-year-old will be an amazing addition to the squad.

If Pep Guardiola can secure these three signings, he would surely have a better squad at his disposal. These signings can also make the most out of other players with more competition within the squad, which will eventually be fruitful for Manchester City.

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