Are Manchester City set to replace one senior midfielder with a more athletic and ideal replacement? | OneFootball

If Manchester City do see a host of experienced players leave the club this summer they will need to replace them. There is merit to the idea of the world champions adding more younger players to Pep Guardiola’s squad. Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba, for example, do fit this description. But young players cannot be expected to come in and hit the ground running in the City set-up. They would need time to adjust to Pep Guardiola’s demands and how City play. Not every signing Manchester City makes in the summer can be an elite young player with plenty of talent and potential. They will also need players who are in, or are just entering the prime years of their career.

There’s merit to the idea that if City sell a player like Mateo Kovacic they should aim to replace him with someone who can step in and immediately fill that void. Manchester City needs legs and energy in midfield and, if Kovacic departs City should find a suitable replacement who fits the bill mentioned above. You could say the same if Bernardo Silva or Ilkay Gundogan, for example, left the club. Now a new report suggests that could be the way Manchester City are thinking of approaching the upcoming summer transfer window as their squad rebuild will continue.

Rudy Galetti has reported from TeamTalk that Mateo Kovacic could leave Manchester City this summer. Furthermore, Galetti reports that Atletico Madrid has an interest in signing Kovacic. Galetti further reports that Atletico Madrid have made contact with the camp of Mateo Kovacic. They have also held informal talks with the world champions as per Galetti’s report. Lastly, Galetti adds that City would accept a transfer fee of around €30 million to sell Kovacic this summer.

Rudy Galetti’s report names Atalanta midfielder Ederson as a potential replacement for Mateo Kovacic for Manchester City.

It is also included in Rudy Galetti’s report that Atalanta midfielder Ederson is looming as a primary transfer target for Manchester City this summer. Furthermore, Galetti reports that Manchester United and Liverpool have an interest in signing the Brazilian midfielder. But Galetti adds that City believe that Ederson is the ideal player who fits their playing style. He could also provide cover for and be a foil for Rodri as per Galetti’s report.

The idea of replacing Mateo Kovacic with Ederson does make sense from a Manchester City point of view. As mentioned above not all of Manchester City’s summer signings can be young players. They will need players with experience who can step in and contribute straight away. Atalanta midfielder Ederson is a player who fits that bill. Ederson has been a key contributor for Atalanta over the last two seasons. He was integral to their UEFA Europa League success last season. Ederson has also been a key player in Atalanta’s 24/25 campaign to date. He’d add experience and a similar skillset to that of Mateo Kovacic and that would be of immense value to Manchester City.

Ederson is also at the right age at 25 as he is just entering his prime years and still has his best football ahead of him. There is an argument to be made that Ederson is a younger and more athletic version of Mateo Kovacic with his playing style. Although, he does have other strengths to his game. Especially defensively, that Kovacic lacks.

If Mateo Kovacic does leave Manchester City then you do feel that Ederson would be the ideal replacement. Rudy Galetti’s report does give the impression that it’s an idea that could become a reality in the summer. There is definitely merit to that line of thinking and you do sense that City could pursue that move if Mateo Kovacic does depart in the summer.