In a recent report, Calciomercato has mentioned that Manchester City are locked in a three-way battle for Olympique Lyonnais playmaker Houssem Aouar. It is believed that Pep Guardiola’s side could face stiff competition from Juventus and Arsenal in the race to acquire the services of the French midfielder (via Calciomercato).
Aouar’s Up And Down Season In The Ligue 1
The Lyon-born sensation has struggled to hit the heights of his performances from the previous campaign but has still done well to make some important contributions for his team on the offensive end of the field. Aouar has netted six goals and provided three assists in 24 matches for the French club this term across various competitions.
The 22-year-old deserves a lot of credit for being consistent with his attacking contributions as he is averaging 2.5 shots, 1.4 key passes and 1.6 dribbles per game in the Ligue 1 this season. He has also been excellent when distributing possession from midfield after completing 85.9% of his attempted passes in the French first division (stats via whoscored).
Despite his drop in numbers in terms of scoring goals, Aouar has proven time and time again that he is one of the best young players in the Ligue 1. Hence, he will be a good addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad if Man City can find a way to bring him to the Etihad Stadium during the summer transfer window.
What Does The French Midfield Ace Bring To The Table?
Aouar is a great dribbler with the ball as he has got wonderful balance, ball-control and composure to get himself out of tight spaces when running at full speed in the opposition half. He has also got the eye to pick out a killer pass in the attacking third and can also contribute by netting his fair share of goals in midfield.
The French sensation is not afraid to work hard to cover a lot of ground at the centre of the park and possesses all the skillset required to be a success story in Premier League football. However, there are some concerns over whether Aouar is good enough to earn regular first-team football at the Etihad Stadium.
Is Aouar A Good Choice For Man City?
Guardiola has currently got Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan operating as his box to box midfielders, so he has no immediate need to add another player in that position this summer. Aouar won’t be an upgrade over any of them as he has still got a lot to learn before he can win trophies at the top level.
If Man City are looking to build for the future, Aouar could be a decent choice for them as long as Guardiola can find a place for him in his squad. He might not receive regular playing minutes at the Mancunian club but would serve as an excellent option for them to call upon off the bench.
