Manchester City's squad is set after a frantic transfer window that saw the club smash their transfer record twice, spend heavily but sell brilliantly. The dust can now settle on the first window in a decade without Pep Guardiola in charge, with Enzo Maresca overseeing a period of unprecedented activity.
Record Spending and Midfield Reinforcements
The proof of a remarkable window of eyewatering fees, record signings, record sales and numerous midfield moves will be borne out over the coming months. In Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez, City have two players who will be midfield mainstays for years to come, at a combined cost of more than £240million. Ayyoub Bouaddi, an £81m capture despite his tender years, means City may possess a talented trio capable of being among the best in the business.
The departure of Rodri was one City were hoping to avoid, given the levels the 30-year-old showed in the latter stages of the World Cup as he led Spain to glory. Bernardo Silva's exit meant City lost experience, leadership and versatility. The exits of Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders, neither of whom were going to be in the first XI, netted City £100million and were moves that both players wanted to explore in order to gain more match minutes.
Financial Impact and Squad Depth
All told, the midfield rebuild has cost City about £150million, given the money made from sales in that position, and they are a body light in the middle. But they have recruited players either in the prime of their career or, in Bouaddi's case, with the potential to develop into a world-class talent. All three arrivals will bring renewed energy and legs to the engine room, and Fernandez in particular offers the leadership Maresca was so keen to bring in. The new-look midfield wasn't cheap, but it is exciting.
For all the outlay, City have more than made up for it with their major deals elsewhere. The jury is out on whether Allan will be worth the £34million fee, but given he is the same age as the departed Savinho, who flattered to deceive in his two years in Manchester and departed for a club record £75m to Spurs, it's hard to argue that that business isn't smart.
Smart Deals and Future Prospects
Likewise, swapping Omar Marmoush for Iliman Ndiaye. The new recruit is a year younger and City have essentially broken even on the deal once Spurs pay the obligated £60m fee next summer. Marmoush had glimpses in a City shirt but, games against Newcastle aside, hadn't hit the consistency required. Ndiaye, who has impressed with Everton and was linked with Manchester United and Spurs this summer, looks a better fit.
The biggest financial benefit has come in goal, where City now have Geronimo Rulli as backup keeper. James Trafford's Etihad return lasted just a season, but the £45m banked from his departure to Leeds is an excellent price. While Rulli is a short-term answer and means City must solve the second-choice keeper question again in the next year or two, the profit has helped reshape other areas of the squad.
It's a squad that now looks capable of challenging, and while it may not quite have the proven depth quality of Arsenal, City have stardust, stature, skill and savvy. The question now is: will it bring success?
