In one week, Manchester City signed two of the most expensive defenders in world football. Three of the costliest defenders in football now play for the Citizens. The Blues have spared no cost in their quest to strengthen their defence. However, does a multi-million-pound defence guarantee City another league title?
Defenders are usually not the most sort-after players; they aren’t the most glamorous on the pitch, they won’t dribble like midfielders or score like attackers either. They just sit back and ensure their team doesn’t concede. Occasionally they attack corners and set piece and luckily, they sometimes score vital goals.
Today, however, defenders are growing in importance as seen by the marked increase in transfer fees. The English team which has been the biggest spenders on men that play at the back has no doubt been Manchester City. Buoyed by Arab money, the Citizens have been among the Premier League’s biggest spenders over the past six years. A big fraction of City’s expenditure has been on defenders. No football club in Europe’s big five leagues has spent more money on defenders than the 2012 Premier League winners.
Only four defenders have ever cost more than €50 million; Manchester City purchased three of those in the last two years. Two of those players were bought within a week, during this 2017-18 transfer window. The Citizens already boasts one of the most lethal strike-force in the Premier League, that proved to be insufficient last season, as City saw their title challenge go up in smoke despite scoring as much as 80 league goals.
One of Pep Guardiola’s first signings upon arrival at Manchester last season was a defender. The Etihad club made John Stones the most expensive British defender in history by poaching him from Everton for £47.5 million. Stones joined up with £38 million pound man, Nicolas Otamendi. Guardiola had loaned out Eliaquim Mangala, who had cost City some £32 million.
With team captain, Vincent Kompany now back to full fitness after a lengthy injury layoff, Pep Guardiola has channelled his resources into bolstering his fullback options. Having released the likes of Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta, the spending spree turned on wingbacks.
Left-fullback, Benjamin Mendy came in from Monaco, while right-fullbacks, Kyle Walker and Danilo signed from Tottenham and Real Madrid for a combined fee of £123 million pounds. Guardiola has spent just over £200 million in the current transfer window, but the price he’s had to pay for defenders have been absolutely ridiculous.
Signing quality players has a way of changing the fortunes of any team. With a manager like Pep Guardiola in charge, one can only expect the best. Last season, Guardiola’s team suffered terribly from a leaky defence. Their poor defensive form spread like cancer and affected the entire team; before long, a good start to the season soon capsized and the Citizens began the struggle to secure a Champions League spot.
Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta, City’s regular full backs all mustered three assists between them. Kyle Walker alone provided five! For his part, Benjamin Mendy provided eight assists for Monaco last season, while Danilo who played 17 league games for Los Blancos last season provided three assists. It’s pretty clear what Guardiola is trying to do. The Spaniard needs fullbacks who can join the attack and make it meaningful.
Chelsea was such a menace last season largely because of their intimidating fullbacks who tore down the flanks, joined the attack and overwhelmed the opposition. Pep Guardiola has made the right signings that suit his style and City will definitely be tough title challengers next season, still, it’s no guarantee they’ll dethrone Chelsea come May 2018.
