5 players Manchester City should have signed this summer

Regardless of the players that they could have, or should have signed, Manchester City still had a very successful window.

City signed Bernardo Silva, Benjamin Mendy, Danilo, Kyle Walker and Ederson. With their ageing full backs - Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy and Aleksandr Kolarov all having left this summer, they bought young talents to perfectly fill the void at both right and left slots in defence.

Additionally, with City having had lots of problems in the goalkeeper position last season, Ederson, who already seems to have the number one position held down, was bought early in the summer.

Bernardo Silva was also purchased for some extra creativity, and he will certainly be a fantastic signing for the future.

However, City did miss out on the opportunity to sign some players. Here are five players they should have signed:

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#5 Jadon Sancho

Sancho is one of England's brightest prospects

Admittedly, Jadon Sancho would not have been an actual signing, but him signing a new contract at City would have still been extremely important to the club - a signature they never got.

Sancho was one of City’s brightest prospects and is being hailed as part of England’s future, having been named player of the tournament for the U-17s this summer at the UEFA European Under-17 Championship.

However, if he is to get into England’s first team, it will now be due to playing time at Borussia Dortmund, who he signed for, after departing Manchester.

The 17-year-old decided on a move to Dortmund after being left out of City’s tour of the US, whilst fellow youngsters Phil Foden and Brahim Diaz were picked to go on the trip.

Sancho will have huge boots to fill after the departure of Ousmane Dembele, as well as the fact that he has now occupied the Frenchman's number seven shirt. However, the 17-year-old has a big future ahead of him, that’s for sure.

Manchester City and Pep Guardiola will be very disappointed to have seen such a good young player slip from their grasp.

#4 Sergio Busquets

Busquets may have been interested in reuniting with ex-manager Guardiola

Sergio Busquets would have been high on Guardiola’s radar this transfer window, and with all that's going on at Barcelona, he could have tempted the Spaniard. But, no move ever materialised.

City reportedly made enquiries, but mustn’t have stepped up their interest. This could turn out to be a mistake as the season goes on, as Busquets would have been a fantastic acquisition.

He certainly built a strong partnership with coach Guardiola, winning 14 trophies during his reign at Barcelona. During that time, he built a reputation as the best defensive midfielder in world football and also won two European Championships and a World Cup with Spain.

Meaning, he would have had no complaints about playing under the Spaniard again - a boss who he flourished under previously.

Busquets may be 29, but he is far from finished and has years ahead of him. He is a player that Guardiola really should have signed this summer.

#3 Kalidou Koulibaly

There is no doubt Koulibaly would thrive in Guardiola's system

If there is any other team who plays as fearlessly from the back as Manchester City do, it’s Napoli.

This further emphasises how disappointing it was that City did not sign Kalidou Koulibaly - Napoli’s Senegalese central defender. City were desperate for a centre back this summer.

Despite his belief in John Stones, Vincent Kompany, and surprisingly, Nicolas Otamendi, it was a position Guardiola should have definitely strengthened.

Koulibaly is more than comfortable with the ball at his feet and is an accomplished defender. He is tall, fast and extremely good at last ditch tackling, something that is important with City playing such a high line.

He would have certainly been a fantastic signing, as a player who would have undoubtedly improved City’s defence.

Koulibaly will now remain a crucial part of Napoli’s defence, only developing his price tag further and making him even tougher to attain in the future.

City did supposedly bid for the 26-year-old on deadline day, but he was a signing they ruefully let slip away.

#2 Virgil van Dijk

The powerful Dutchman should have been snapped up by City this summer

Virgil van Dijk looks to be an ideal fit for Manchester City, and it seems baffling that they didn’t sign the Dutchman.

He has the talent to play for anyone in world football, and there is no doubt that if he had signed for City this summer, he would have been an integral part of their league and European campaigns.

Southampton made clear that he was not for sale. However, this was mostly aimed at Liverpool, a club the Saints were adamant they would not sell to, after the Merseyside club attempted to tap up Van Dijk early in the transfer window.

Therefore, if City had bid enough, they may well have got the player, who does not seem keen on playing for Southampton again. He handed in a transfer request, which would have driven down the price, and allowed City to swoop in and sign the 26-year old. But, Guardiola had no intentions of signing him.

He was another central defender the Citizens almost definitely should have signed this summer.

#1 Alexis Sanchez

The Chilean would have been more than happy to reunite with old boss Guardiola at City

There is no real surprise that Alexis Sanchez finds his way onto this list, a player City were desperate to sign and chased after all summer, while Arsenal refused to indulge.

It just wasn’t meant to be, but it must be said, they may well regret not signing the Chilean. They have attacking talent in abundance with the likes of Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus, Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva.

However, if he was to replicate last season’s form at City, he is equally as good, if not better than all those players.

City will still be an excellent side, there is no doubt about it. But, the strength in depth they would have had if they could have signed Alexis would have been phenomenal. Add to it a good central defender, and they would have been prime contenders in Europe.

However, having missed out on the Chilean, they may find it difficult yet again this season in the Champions League, especially if they pick up injuries.

This is as well as potentially missing out on another Premier League title, because they have not strengthened their whole team like they could have and would've wanted to.