64 goals in 22 games average almost 3 goals per game. These already impressive stats become even more unusual when you consider the context in which they have been achieved. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City team has displayed tremendous form since the start of the season and is seemingly looking like the best side not just in England but in Europe at the moment.
One might argue that PSG has had an equally impressive start to their season but scoring an average of 3 goals every game may be a little more difficult in the Premier League than in Ligue 1. Pep’s team has already played the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool in the league and beaten the Serie A leaders Napoli twice in the Champions League.
Twenty-two games into the season, Manchester City are yet to lose a game. After spending a fortune in the transfer market, Pep finally has a squad of players he likes and is delivering on his promise of providing relentless, attacking football at the Etihad this season. A quick look through the City squad will pop up the names of players like Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane, Bernardo Silva, David Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and many more. It is now being reported that Guardiola is interested in bringing in another young prospect in the form of Boubakary Soumare.
The 18-year-old midfielder has been in fine form for Lille this season and is one of their star performers. At 6”2 height, he adds a lot of steel to the side and his impressive performances this season has caught the eye of the Spanish boss at the Etihad.
The player arrived from Paris Saint Germain but has quickly broken into the first team. It now appears that he could be on the move once again with City keen on him. Lille is under a bit of financial pressure at the moment and given the size of City’s wallet, a deal could very well be on the cards.
The Citizens have a host of attacking talent but lack of depth in the deeper midfield position. Yaya Toure is reaching the twilight of his career which leaves Fernandinho and injury-prone Ilkay Gundogan as the only players who can play in the holding midfield role.
With Pep known to be a manager who likes to rotate his side for matches, he could do with a player of Soumare’s calibre and versatility in the team. The Frenchman has all the assets required to play for a Pep Guardiola team and his driving midfield runs could prove to be an added threat for oppositions facing Manchester City. The move to City will, however, see him suffer his chances of playing regular first-team football but the opportunity to be under Guardiola’s tutelage could tip the balance in City’s favour.
