According to Monday’s edition of Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Manchester City are in the race to acquire the services of Marash Kumbulla from Hellas Verona. The same source has revealed that the Citizens will face fierce competition from Manchester United, Everton and Bayern Munich in pursuit of the Serie A defender this summer.
What Makes Kumbulla Such An Exciting Young Talent?
Kumbulla managed to break out as a first-team starter at Hellas Verona last season even though he was still a teenager. He has been responsible for putting in some brave defensive displays for Ivan Juric’s team in this campaign. The young Albanian defender has formed a brilliant partnership with Koray Günter and Amir Rrahmani at the back, and their incredible contributions have helped Verona climb up to sixth place in the league table.
Collectively, the Italian side has conceded just 24 goals in 23 league matches putting Hellas Verona in a strong position to clinch a top 6 finish in the Serie A this season. Kumbulla has featured in 18 games for Verona this term and has one goal to his name across all competitions. He has made an average of 1.9 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 2.9 clearances per game in the Italian top-flight (stats via whoscored).
The 20-year-old also gained his first senior cap for the Albanian national team when he came off the bench to feature against Moldova in a UEFA Euro qualifier back in October last year.
What Will The Albanian Prospect Add To Guardiola’s Side?
Kumbulla is a moderately-paced centre-back who can also fill in as a defensive midfielder if needed. He loves to go in for tackles and is very good at intercepting possession for his side. The Albanian starlet can also make some vital last-gasp clearances at the back and is also quite strong in the air.
Kumbulla has the potential to be one of the best players in his position someday. So the Citizens will do well to lure him away from Italy before the start of the new campaign. He is precisely the type of player Guardiola can look to nurture and develop over the next few seasons.
The Albanian centre-half will be a capable defensive partner for Aymeric Laporte at the Etihad. His presence will also give Guardiola the option to play three at the back which could help Man City go on long, unbeaten runs in the Premier League next season.
