Why Man City pursuit of Ilkay Gundogan replacement is not straightforward

Contrary to popular belief, Manchester City don't have a big squad.

Pep Guardiola does not like to have huge numbers of players like Chelsea had last season because he prefers working with a smaller group that he can be closer with and not have to disappoint more on a regular basis by leaving them out of the team. If it was Jose Mourinho that made two players for every position seem the idea, the City coach much prefers fewer players who can cover several positions.

That means that great thought is taken when any additions are made to the squad: the question that is always asked is how can they improve on what is already there? When what is already there has just won a Treble, it is even harder to answer.

City have already brought in Mateo Kovacic, the experienced Chelsea and Croatia midfielder, who can take some of the minutes of the outgoing skipper Ilkay Gundogan this season. The club's sporting director Txiki Begiristain has suggested Kovacic can play in the No.6 position to give competition for Rodri and Kalvin Phillips as well as the No.8 role.

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Kovacic was never designed to be the replacement for Gundogan in part because of the magnitude of player City have lost given his achievements at the club. However, the 29-year-old may end up being the closest thing Guardiola has to it for precisely the same reason.

It feels like a marquee signing would be needed to cover for Gundogan, and West Ham captain Declan Rice would certainly have been that. However, the £105m that Arsenal offered was too much to match when considering what City already have in their squad and how that signing could impact on the club in the market for future deals.

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