Transfer News:
Sir Alex Ferguson always used to say that every great team needs to develop and reconstruct themselves after a successful season. This is to ensure that they maintain the kind of consistency that helped them succeed earlier. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have actually nearly won the title but the Catalan boss is keen to improve his depth in the attacking department. Moreover, if the reports are to be believed, then Pep is readying himself to make a move for a star player from the league which he bossed for 4 years.
Antoine Griezmann is one player who has been heavily touted to make a move away from the Spanish capital in recent times. The Frenchman is truly one of the best players in the La Liga and is often seen as someone who should win more trophies than he usually does.
Griezmann: Player Profile
Antoine Griezmann is one of the most recent players to have shared the Ballon’d Or podium with the duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The Frenchman is essentially a forward and can excel whilst playing as a striker or as a secondary striker too. A technically adept player, Griezmann has a very good touch and is a reliable finisher.
He dribbles quickly, is fast on the field and links up effectively with the other forwards. Griezmann often drops deep to orchestrate the play from the centre and is a threatening figure during counter-attacks.
The Frenchman didn’t start the season well this time but has scored 16 goals and has also created 37 goal-scoring chances for his teammates in 25 appearances. Eight out of those 37 chances have resulted in assists and that shows the man’s all-round capabilities.
Does he fit into the Manchester City squad?
Pep Guardiola has an affinity for players who link up well and demonstrate a certain finesse in their game. Manchester City are devastating in the counter-attacks and Greizmann will definitely further improve that aspect of their game. Despite Sergio Aguero’s tremendous goal-scoring ability, Pep has shown a tendency to prefer Gabriel Jesus ahead of the Argentine whenever the Brazilian is fit enough to start. Jesus has a better interlinking ability and does well in terms of pressing with respect to Aguero.
Griezmann has worked under Diego Simeone and hence his work-rate is incredible, to be honest. The Atletico player can build up attacks and then finish them off with his assured touch in front of the goal. The only worrying aspect is regarding the physicality of the Premier League and whether Griezmann would be able to adapt to life in England. However, keeping that point aside, Manchester City can land a gem if they are able to snatch Antoine Griezmann from the La Liga giants.
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored