Four Players Manchester City Should Consider Signing to Replace David Silva

27 March 2020 20:26

After an illustrious career at the Etihad, this season will be the last in Manchester City colours for veteran midfielder David Silva. 


The talented Spaniard has close to 400 appearances for the current English champions, winning four Premier League titles, four League Cups and two FA Cups.


Despite Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva waiting in the wings to replace Silva in the long run, manager Pep Guardiola could delve into the transfer market to bring in more competition for the pair this summer. 


Kai Havertz

Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Eintracht Frankfurt - Bundesliga

A product of Bayer Leverkusen’s famous youth academy, German midfielder Kai Havertz has developed into one of the world’s brightest talents over the last few seasons at the BayArena.

Becoming the Bundesliga’s youngest ever player to reach 30 league goals last month, Havertz has enjoyed another impressive season with ‘Die Werkself', notching ten goals and eight assists across all competitions.

The list of accolades goes on. Havertz is the youngest ever debutant for Leverkusen, youngest ever goalscorer for the club and holds the record for most goals by a teenager in Bundesliga history, a whopping 17 goals during the 2018/19 season.

With his blend of attacking prowess and key playmaker attributes, Havertz has already drawn similarities to City star Silva. Both players possess similar movement and off-the-ball awareness and despite his young age, the German ace is accomplished at delivering the final product needed to play at such a high level.

City manager Pep Guardiola could also turn to the youngsters versatility to shore up his midfield next season, with Havertz able to play in the centre of the park, in attacking midfield, up front as a lone striker and out on the right-hand side of the pitch.

With a price tag of around £100m, the German international would be extremely expensive – especially for a City side currently concerned with the financial fair play system – but if the current English champions can capture Havertz during the summer transfer window, they would have another star player for the foreseeable future. 


Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish

Describing Jack Grealish as ‘one of the best players in the league’ in January, Pep Guardiola is already a big admirer of Aston Villa’s star man.

Despite his club largely struggling during their first season back in the Premier League after promotion from the Championship last season, Villa captain Grealish has excelled in an attacking role under manager Dean Smith.

With nine goals and eight assists in 31 appearances across all competitions, the 24-year-old English midfielder has proven he can play at the highest level this term. His excellent performances for the Villans this season have further led to him being very much in contention to join up with the England squad for the first time in the near future.

Despite still only being 24, Grealish has already made over 200 senior appearances in his career and could bring a different edge to Guardiola’s attack next season. His Premier League experience could very well make him the perfect target to replace the departing David Silva.

Technically gifted with the ball at his feet, Grealish is similar to Silva in ability, but tends to play a little more directly. The Villa forward this season has proved that he can find the back of the net, to play the perfect pass when needed and to offer a calmness on the ball when in possession.

With Grealish already expressing his desire to play at the very top level in the future, Manchester City could look to bring the experienced attacking midfielder to the club this summer.


Fabian Ruiz

Fabian Ruiz

Touted for a big money move from Napoli this summer, Fabian Ruiz could be the ready-made replacement for Silva next season at Manchester City.

With a developing reputation thanks to his time at Napoli over the last two seasons, Ruiz is emerging as one of the most technically gifted midfielders in Europe. As a result, his services are currently being considered by Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.

A natural attacking-minded central midfielder, Ruiz possesses flair in abundance and tremendous agility despite standing at a height of 6'2.

The Spaniard would add a much-needed physical edge to Guardiola’s attack next season if Manchester City are to close the gap on Liverpoool and challenge for the title once more.

With 10 goals in 72 matches for Napoli across all competitions to date, Ruiz could become another route to goal for City if he makes the move to the Etihad this summer.

However, Napoli are notorious for driving a hard bargain and could be looking for as much as £70m for the Spanish international during the next transfer window, which could prove to be a huge stumbling block for the Citizens.


Houssem Aouar

FBL-FRA-LIGUE1-METZ-LYON

Another youngster who could join Pep Guardiola’s City side next season is Lyon’s 21-year-old French midfielder Houssem Aouar.

One of the rising stars in French football, Aouar has impressed again for Lyon this season. Hitting nine goals and providing seven assists across all competitions this season for Les Gones, the young star has continued to show his close control and fantastic technique under manager Rudi Garcia.

With the ability to play anywhere across the midfield, Aouar has drawn similarities to Lyon legend Juninho and has taken the famous number eight squad number during his time with the club.

With over 100 senior appearances to his name for the French club, Aouar’s maturity has developed over the last few seasons in France, meaning he can control the pace of a game by pulling the strings in the middle of the pitch.

Further to this, Houssem Aouar is a player already firmly on Guardiola’s radar. After Manchester City faced Lyon in the Champions League group stages last season, City manager Guardiola described Aouar as both ‘incredible’ and ‘excellent’ and praised the young midfielder’s all-round technical ability. At £55m...why not?


Source: 90min