Manchester City have endured an underwhelming Premier League campaign by their lofty standards, and sit at 4th position midway into the season. In the history of European football, 8 out of the previous 9 teams that secured trebles retained their league titles the subsequent season; Inter in 2010/11 being the sole exception due to the departure of their manager, Jose Mourinho. Having finished last season with the treble, the expectations from members of the online sports betting community was that they’ll run away with the league title, with many capitalizing on high odds offered by **BetKing** . However, thus far, their performance has not mirrored the dominance seen last season. Several factors have contributed to Manchester City’s struggles this season. Chief among them is the significant issue of injuries. With İlkay Gündoğan and Riyad Mahrez both departing over the summer, the 4-month injury suffered by Kevin De Bruyne has had an even bigger impact than it ordinarily would have. He returned to the pitch in their 5-0 FA Cup win over Huddersfield and, in just 17 mins, delivered an assist - showing them a bit of what they’ve been missing. Star striker, Erling Haaland has also had his own share of injuries which has forced him to miss 8 games. The Norwegian has scored 19 goals & provided 5 assists in 22 games this season and, as expected, his absence has been felt. Despite the injuries, we believe Haaland will comeback in better shape and reclaim his golden boot. On Betking, we have the best odds for this compared to other betting sites.
That said, the problem this season hasn’t been Man City’s attack, it has been their defense. Admittedly, there’ve been improvements in recent weeks as they’ve kept 4 clean sheets in their last 5 games. However, the preceding run saw only one clean sheet in 10 matches. Last season, they were giving up 0.87 goals per game. This season, though, that figure is up to 1.11. Upon closer inspection, a glaring weakness emerges in the left-back position. Nathan Aké, while reliable, is not a natural left-back, and since the departure of João Cancelo and Benjamin Mendy, the team has grappled with finding a permanent solution, resorting to temporary fixes. Acknowledging Pep Guardiola’s preference for versatile full-backs comfortable in the attacking third and capable of contributing to midfield overloads, it becomes clear that the left-back position needs reinforcement. Let’s explore some potential signings that could enhance Manchester City’s squad even further. **David Raum (RB Leipzig)** David Raum is an exciting left-back that could leave Premier League fans in awe. After a stellar campaign with Greuther Furth in the German second tier, Raum continued his impressive form with Hoffenheim before making a move to RB Leipzig. In the 2020/21 season with Greuther Furth, he notched 1 goal and an astonishing 18 assists in 38 games. His stint at Hoffenheim saw him contribute 3 goals and 13 assists in the 2021/22 season, although these numbers dipped to 0 goals and 2 assists in the subsequent season as he adapted to life at RB Leipzig. Now in his second season with the DFB Pokal champions, Raum has registered 3 goals and 6 assists in 23 games, and played a pivotal role in the team’s 3-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the DFL-Supercup, where Harry Kane’s debut-party was ruined. Known for his versatility, Raum is a defender capable of thriving in various systems, but his most impactful performances come when given the freedom to advance into the final third. His exceptional 1 v 1 ability, coupled with his playmaking prowess, marks him as one of the most thrilling left-backs in the game. **Pervis Estupiñán (Brighton & Hove Albion)** If the Cityzens want a Premier League proven player who would need little to no time adjusting to a new club, they can look no further than the Ecuadorian defender. At 25 years old, Estupiñán is entering the prime of his career and promises to be a player capable of elevating the Manchester City team. Despite facing some injuries this season, limiting him to just 12 appearances, he has already made a significant impact with 3 goals and 3 assists. Notably, he excels in contributing to the attacking phase of the game, with an impressive average of 1.9 key passes per game, a stark contrast to Nathan Aké’s 0.4. Securing the services of a Brighton player doesn’t come cheap, and Pep Guardiola may need to fork out upwards of €80 million for this acquisition. However, given the team’s limited need for reinforcements in other positions, such a significant investment in Estupiñán could be justifiable and beneficial for the overall squad improvement. **Luca Netz (Borussia Mochengladbach)** The 20-year-old German prospect is a player with immense potential poised for future growth. Merely a year ago, he was on the verge of leaving due to a lack of playing time at Gladbach; however, this season, he has firmly established himself as a regular starter. Displaying versatility, he adeptly operates in roles such as Left-Back, Wing-Back, or Left-Midfielder. Across his 17 appearances this season, he has contributed with 4 assists, the second-highest in the team. Notably, his 1.36 chances created per game also ranks second in the team, and he has 5 big chances created. Beyond his offensive brilliance, his defensive capabilities are noteworthy. With an average of 1.7 tackles, 0.8 interceptions, 4 ball recoveries, and 2.9 clearances per game, he proves to be a well-rounded player on the defensive end. While he may not be at the top of Manchester City’s transfer wish list, he certainly warrants attention. Also, he’ll be a pocket-friendly purchase - not like Manchester City have had money problems. **Conclusion** While the previously mentioned left-back options showcase promise, there are objectively superior choices worth considering. Bayer Leverkusen’s Alejandro Grimaldo is having an outstanding season with an impressive tally of 9 goals and 7 assists in 24 games, contributing significantly to the Bundesliga leaders. However, at 28 years old, Grimaldo may not align with Manchester City’s usual preference for players aged 25 and below when conducting business. Other noteworthy left-backs like Federico Dimarco (26), José Gayà (28), and Mathías Olivera (26) present viable options, but their ages, like Grimaldo’s, might be a factor that excludes them from Manchester City’s list of preferred targets. With Manchester City set to welcome back some of their sidelined players this month, there’s potential for the team to embark on one of their trademark impressive runs, regardless of if they choose to make winter signings or not. While achieving a treble again might be a tall order, there’s a belief that they are well-equipped to have a remarkable season. Our betting tips suggest they will retain the Premier League title and secure victory in the FA Cup.
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