Manchester City will have to spend in January, claims Gary Neville
Gary Neville believes that Manchester City will have to spend money in January to reinforce their side if they want to challenge for any trophy this season. The Cityzens have been plagued with injuries to their back-line with both John Stones and Aymeric Laporte out for the considerable future.
While they did end up winning 3-1 against Everton, Manchester City conceded more shots on target than they ever have in any league game since Pep Guardiola took over the club. Whether that was down to issues with their defense or the way Everton poked holes in Guardiola’s back-line, it showed that Manchester City needs defensive reinforcements.
The Cityzens have been plagued with defensive issues this season, with the club, now fielding an increasingly stretched back-line after injuries to both John Stones and Aymeric Laporte. It has seen defensive midfielder Fernandinho drop back alongside Nicolas Otamendi as a make-shift defender but Manchester City are still five points off leaders Liverpool, who are cruising in the league.
Yet despite all that Pep Guardiola has already admitted that he cannot spend money in January, despite the club having spent less than any other top-six side in the summer. However, in an interview, Manchester United legend Gary Neville said that he believes that Manchester City have to spend this summer. He went on to say that while City have admitted they have no money, they will still look at potential targets and spend on the right man.
"You have to think that City will spend in January. I saw this morning that Guardiola said they didn't have any money. Well, they've got more than everybody else. They bought Aymeric Laporte in January a year and a half ago, and I feel that they're going to have to do the same again. This won't be good enough for the Champions League or the Premier League. Guardiola will know it - he knows the standard more than anybody," Neville told Sky Sports.
The part-owner of Salford City feels that the Cityzens should have filled Vincent Kompany’s void last summer but any new addition in January will have to do the same. The Belgian left for Anderlecht at the end of last season and Manchester City not signing a replacement has been a massive problem for the club so far this season.
“They've set limits, and perhaps it's not so much the fee, but the wages that will be demanded to attract the right type of player, which is making the Manchester City hierarchy nervous and stay within a structure. But with Vincent Kompany going, it leaves a huge void, not just on the pitch but off it. There aren't too many players like him around, and he's difficult to replace,” concluded Neville.