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It is football’s worst kept secret that Alexis Sanchez wants to join Manchester City and the deal taking the 29-year-old Chilean is expected to go through later this month. The Arsenal forward has been consistent in his resolve not to extend his Arsenal contract and it is believed the Gunners will let him go on a cut-price deal this winter in a bid not to lose him on a free transfer. It would seem a betrayal that the player wants to leave The Emirates and move across the country to join up with Manchester City, but on pure footballing terms, it is quite understandable.
Man City manager, Pep Guardiola has never hidden his admiration for the fleet-footed player, believing that the Chilean's abilities are perfectly suited to his pressing game. Back in 2011, Guardiola was the manager of Barcelona when they shelled out £35m to sign Sanchez from Udinese, and it would seem that the admiration is mutual as the Chilean has fought tooth and nail to reunite with the Spanish tactician.
Arsenal fans have been left bemused as to the reason why the player’s deal at the club was allowed to run to this time, and though many will begrudge him for the move, most will still understand that winning trophies, and not money, is the main reason he would go to Manchester.
Since joining Arsenal in 2014, he has helped the North London outfit win two FA Cup Finals, scoring in both finals but he has watched with envy as other clubs continue to win and challenge for the league and other competitions. At 29, he is nearing the end of the career and wants silverware to show for his undoubted quality. At City, he will be blessed to have a myriad of talents as teammates, and it would be a frightening experience for any opposing defence to try to stop Sanchez, De Bruyne, Sterling, Aguero and Leroy Sane or even Bernardo Silva.
City have earned plaudits for their performances this term, and signing Sanchez will surely elevate them into a team capable of winning not only the Premier League but also make incursions into talks of winning the Champions League. The Chilean was wonderful last season, scoring 30 times for Arsenal, and would offer City more threat going forward.
Some pundits have stated that he may disrupt the balance of the team, but having too many good players is a good problem for a manager to have, as he knows he can call on anyone at anytime and also put all players on their toes.
The injury to Gabriel Jesus means that club legend, Sergio Aguero is the only fit senior striker at the club, and Sanchez can come in to help reduce the workload on the talisman. City are unbeaten in domestic competitions in the last 10 months, are top of the league and are on course for a quadruple. Sanchez will make those dreams a little more realistic. The rest of the division should be afraid of the firepower City possess.
