If media reports are to be believed, Sean Dyche is set to lose his defensive rock James Tarkowski to Manchester City or Arsenal very soon. The two-diamond clubs of England are chasing the English player and at the age of 25, he could prove to be a vital asset for both clubs.
Burnley has produced a mean defence this time which has seen the club soar as high as the sixth place in the league table and much of the credit must go to Tarkowski.
Pep Guardiola’s first choice centre-back John Stones has been ruled out with an injury and it is believed that City will be looking for further additions at the back in January. Pep believes the squad is too thin to challenge for all four trophies and bringing in more talent is necessary to keep City competitive.
The situation at City is now booming. Pep has formed a team that is well on its way to conquer Europe should they keep up their current form. The Manchester City team is heavily loaded with attacking talents from all across the globe and under Pep’s careful tutelage the players have gelled well together to form a team that is producing nothing but swashbuckling score lines in their favour.
City has already scored over 65 goals this season in a space of just three months and are hungry for more. However, upon close inspection, it can be seen that there are still a few cracks in that City team Pep would like to identify.
With an ageing Kompany becoming more and more injury prone and Otamendi not really Pep’s favoured choice, the defence will need some work. As of now, he is stuck with the error-prone Argentine for now but knowing Pep’s pursuit for perfection and City’s healthy wallet, they would like to diagnose and treat the illness before it spreads.
The situation now is even more serious with Stones ruled for a lengthy period with a hamstring injury.
Given City’s approach to problem-solving is to open their deep wallet, it won’t be surprising to see City go out for a new centre-back, a ball playing defender who can partner Stones for years to come. It is in this light, that City will be chasing Tarkowski who will be a perfect partner for Stones.
However, how easily will Burnley let go of their star defender remains to be seen and a move next summer instead of a January scoop seems more likely for all concerned parties.
