5 English players Manchester City could buy
The Citizens desperately need to sign English players this summer
Manchester City are known for their financial powers, but this summer could be completely different for the club as they search for English players to sign.
After losing James Milner, Frank Lampard, Richard Wright, Scott Sinclair, Jack Rodwell and Micah Richards in recent weeks/months, City are down to just ONE recognised England international, and that is goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Due to Premier League regulations, City are going to have to sign English players this summer or at least some homegrown players in order to meet the rules set by the league.
So who will City look at? Who will they buy? Who can they buy?
SillySeason look into five potential Englishman that Manuel Pellegrini could bring into the Etihad Stadium.
5) Rob Green – Queens Park Rangers
This might seem like a weird recommendation for Manchester City, but they need an Englishman and they need another goalkeeper with Richard Wright leaving.
Yes they have Joe Hart and Willy Caballero, but they will certainly need another ‘keeper, so why not kill two birds with one stone.
Green is expected to leave Queens Park Rangers after the club were relegated to the Championship, and although Chelsea are also showing interest in the veteran, with Petr Cech set to leave, City should enter themselves in the race and try and lure the shot-stopper to the Etihad Stadium.
It would be a cheap deal so wouldn’t take a lot of finance out of the club, and it will be an Englishman which is even more important for City.
4) Fabian Delph – Aston Villa
Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph has already been linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium and it could be a potential option for Pellegrini and co.
Recently capped at international level, Delph has had a great campaign for Villa and despite signing a new long-term deal in January, he could be one for a move away from Villa Park.
Delph was pivotal in the club’s survival in the Premier League, and also scored the goal which sent them to the FA Cup Final, albeit for nothing after they lost 4-0 in the final to Arsenal.
With Yaya Toure ageing, Delph could be a suitable and sensible addition to City.
3) Ross Barkley – Everton
Another potential centre-midfield signing and another potential replacement for Yaya Toure is Everton‘s Ross Barkley.
His career has kind of stalled over the past 12-months, after bursting onto the scene a couple years ago, but City have still shown interest in the England international.
Lightning on the ball and tricky to tackle when in full-flow, Barkley could be a great addition for City, but due to being young and also English, they could have to cough up over £30million.
2) Jack Wilshere – Arsenal
Yes it is another centre-midfielder, but it’s another potential option for Manchester City.
Jack Wilshere is struggling to get regular first-team football at the Emirates Stadium after the emergence of Francis Coquelin and Aaron Ramsey, leaving the England international on the bench, when he’s not injured that is.
His fitness is a real issue, but it could be an ideal signing for City, but will once again be looking at over £30m to persuade a sale.
1) Raheem Sterling – Liverpool
Probably the most likely deal to happen for City this Summer.
The Citizens have already had two formal bids rejected for the Liverpool winger, but falling just £10m short in the second one, a third and final bid is likely to happen.
Sterling is a dangerous winger, whose pace can cause all kinds of issue on his day, and after telling his club he wants to leave, it’s likely that the Etihad Stadium will be his next destination.
City have made £30m and £40m bids, but both were rejected as The Reds want at least £50m for the 20-year-old.
So there are our five recommendations. Whatever does happen this summer, expect City to sign some English players.
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt