By Following the departure of Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez’s departure from Manchester City is quickly approaching. The team captain has already departed, and now winger Mahrez is close to making a £30 million move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli. Although this trade appears to be advantageous for the Blues on the surface, Mahrez’s exit will create a gap in the lineup given his age (32) and the fact that he only has two years left on his contract.
Mahrez’s contributions to Manchester City cannot be understated, even though he is a 32-year-old player. He became the leading goal scorer in the 2022 season with an astounding 24 goals. Mahrez nonetheless managed to produce 15 goals and 13 assists, playing a big role in the club’s successful treble-winning season, despite Erling Haaland’s arrival taking some of the spotlight away from him. Mahrez became a key player on the pitch because Guardiola’s tactical system complemented his playing style well.
Mahrez’s excitement for the change is apparent, especially after he was absent from the FA Cup or Champions League final. Manchester City has a rule that states it won’t keep players who want to go if the financial package meets their needs. As a result, this action appears to satisfy all parties.
However, it is important to recognise the gap Mahrez will leave behind as the team bids farewell to a fantastic player. Finding a suitable replacement won’t be easy, and Manchester City will be in a position they don’t frequently find themselves in during the transfer season. The club often runs its affairs skillfully, obtaining key targets early on. It was quick and successful to acquire players like Rodri and Joao Cancelo in 2019 and Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias in 2020. The constant success of Manchester City is largely due to these tactical choices.
However, Mahrez’s departure places them in an uncomfortable situation. The club could have planned for his departure and expected it, but it doesn’t seem like they have a replacement in mind just yet. The need to improve their offensive alternatives is urgent since they don’t have a ready-made substitute for Mahrez, unlike the midfield, where Mateo Kovacic’s loss was made up for.
The club’s successful transfer strategy has been a key factor in their success. Manchester City often succeeds when they can clearly communicate their goals for the timeframe and move quickly. The difficulty arose when Aleks Zinchenko left without obtaining a successor because of sporadic delays or errors. Such circumstances call for adaptation, and Manchester City’s varied squad construction under Guardiola has frequently assisted them in getting over these obstacles.
All eyes will be on Manchester City as the transfer window develops to see how they handle this stage of change and maintain their leadership in English football.
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