Manchester City have been linked with some of the most promising players in the world in recent weeks as Pep Guardiola has made it clear that he is keen to build a team for the future and not just for the time being. The owners have given Guardiola the go ahead with City expected to complete a major overhaul in the summer. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been linked with a move to the Citizens as he has just 12 months left on his current deal and there have been no talks to suggest that a new deal is on the way.
After emerging onto the scene at Southampton, Chamberlain has gone on to make 223 appearances for the Saints and Arsenal while scoring 30 goals in the process. He also has played 24 times for the Three Lions and has won two FA Cups with the Gunners. Despite being a household name, the 23-year old has not been able to achieve the next level in his gameplay to warrant more attention for himself. That is partly due to his inconsistency, his injury concerns and most importantly due to Arsene Wenger’s indecisiveness of using the player in a fixed position.
A move to Manchester City will be the best possible deal for Chamberlain as Pep has done wonders with the English talents available at his disposal. John Stones and Raheem Sterling’s rise this season are a good example of that. The 23-year old is a perfect Guardiola player and can fit in his project at Manchester City well. He understands the game well, is potent with the ball at his feet and has shown tremendous work rate during his best days at Arsenal.
Guardiola’s teams are known to be flexible and are able to play in a number of formations throughout the season. For this, the manager needs a handful of utility players who can fit in a number of positions wherever the need arises. Chamberlain has proved his flexibility in recent seasons with him being an attractive option to be deployed on the wings due to his burst of pace.
Chamberlain has performed well in the deeper role. At the Etihad, he can be used as an alternate option on the wings for Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane. He can be used as a playmaker for the side to provide competition for David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne as well. With Yaya Toure set to leave in the summer, he can also play at the centre of the park which shows just how versatile he could potentially be.
All in all, the 23-year old would be a perfect addition to the Manchester City squad as Pep Guardiola might just be the man who can make the most out of Chamberlain’s insane talent which is yet to be tapped properly.
