Bathed in a rare warmth on Sunday, June 10, the Etihad Stadium’s West reception provided the stage to unveil Manchester City’s summer signings.
Erling Haaland, the marquee signing, set to work immediately on buttering up the City supporters. He spoke warmly of his father, Alfie, a player who fits well into Joe Royle’s City side that achieved back-to-back promotions. To the crowd’s delight, when Haaland was asked which team he was most looking forward to playing most, the Norwegian wittily replied: “I don’t want to say the words, but... Manchester United”.
Centre-forward Julian Álvarez and goalkeeper Stefan Ortega also received a warm reception from the blue half of Manchester. Unfortunately for Kalvin Phillips, the defensive midfielder was unable to attend the festivities due to illness.
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Collecting a mammoth 93 points to win the Premier League last season, Pep Guardiola’s introduction of fresh faces shows intent beyond domestic titles. The Spaniard last touched the Champions League trophy over a decade ago when Barcelona comfortably beat Manchester United.
Just how likely are City’s latest signings to feature in a squad that was already bursting at the seams with talent?
Erling Haaland
Standing at a towering 6’5”, Haaland is an athletic rarity. At times during his spell at Borussia Dortmund, Haaland’s best comparison could be to that of a cheat code in a video game. Exceptionally quick and growing into his imposing frame, Haaland is a defender’s nightmare.
Haaland possesses all the athletic gifts to shrug off challenges and break into space behind defensive lines. If a defender offers Haaland space, he's exceptional with his back to goal. Haaland is a selfless player, a surprising revelation for a striker who slotted 61 goals in the Bundesliga over 66 games. He can effectively hold the ball before laying it off to a teammate.
Guardiola’s system demands every player in the starting XI to contribute to a possession-based game. Haaland offers the smoothest changeover for Guardiola’s transition from the striker-less structure that was operated last season. After Gabriel Jesus was sold to Arsenal for the princely sum of £46.98million, Haaland represents City’s key figurehead in attack. It will be interesting to see if Guardiola experiments tactically over pre-season, perhaps forming a strike partnership between Haaland and Álvarez.
Julian Álvarez
The Argentinian striker may have been signed earlier this year in January, but as Álvarez was sent immediately back on loan to River Plate, it would be fair to consider the striker as a summer acquisition. Haaland has drawn the bulk of the media attention, but Álvarez has just as much potential.
Having already been capped nine times by Argentina, Álvarez can make an immediate impact in the Premier League. The key to Álvarez is the utility he offers. The Argentine is best-placed as a striker due to his clinical finishing and well-timed movement inside the penalty area. His excellent vision and vertical passing can see him drop onto the wings or midfield, offering positional freedom that will excite Guardiola.
While the heart desires a mythical strike partnership between Haaland and Álvarez to kickstart City’s season, the brain suggests otherwise. A lack of squad depth at centre-forward, as well as a fast-growing injury record for Haaland, means Pep would be best to rotate and rest the two new signings.
Kalvin Phillips
Leaving his boyhood club, Leeds United, Phillips has been on the radar of the top European clubs for the past couple of seasons. Marcelo Bielsa deserves some credit for Phillips' meteoric rise from a Championship midfielder to a regular starter for the England national team.
Essentially, Phillips has been drafted in to fill the hole left by former captain Fernandinho. Although some critics believe Phillips lacks the talent to compete in City’s blockbuster squad, it would be prudent to remember that Fernandinho's move faced similar scrutiny back in 2013.
Phillips will aim to provide high-pressing intent to recycle possession and provide space for City's primary creators. Although Phillips fills a similar role to that of Rodri, Guardiola has chased more unorthodox tactics in the past than operating with two defensive midfielders.
At Leeds, Phillips was run into the ground at times as the team regularly found themselves on the back-foot. Amongst City’s high possession, Phillips has the opportunity to show positive, attacking intent.
Stefan Ortega
Signed on a free from the relegated German side Arminia Bielefeld, Ortega is destined to fill the role of City’s second-choice goalkeeper. Ortega has flirted with an international call-up for the past two years, named as a potential reserve for Euro 2020, but the German national team is stacked with talent between the sticks.
Ederson is prone to dipping in form midway through a season. While Ortega will likely cover domestic cup matches, don’t be surprised if the German is also offered opportunities in the Premier League or Champions League.
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