Why Manchester City should sign Zakaria
As per a report by Calciomercato (h/t ESPN), Manchester City are hot on the trail of Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria. The Premier League club could face competition for his signature next summer from Bayern Munch.
The Swiss midfielder sustained a serious knee injury in March, which has put the two clubs on hold until the next summer in order to assess his fitness better. The 23-year-old is apparently open to a move in order to try his luck at a bigger club. (h/t ESPN)
Profile
Denis Zakaria started his senior career at Swiss club Servette in 2014. After scoring twice in his 6 appearances, Zakaria was quickly snapped up by BSC Young Boys in June 2015. The midfielder went on to have two productive seasons at Young Boys, where he played 67 matches.
In 2017, Borussia Monchengladbach brought the Swiss to the Bundesliga. The midfielder has gone on to make 96 appearances for the club in his last three seasons. A knee injury in March meant that Zakaria missed the start of this season. (h/t Transfermarkt)
Zakaria would fit well at Manchester City
With City’s midfield lynchpin Fernandinho turning 36 next year, the Citizens need a replacement. Guardiola did sign Rodri in that position, but City would benefit more defensively from Zakaria’s bullish playing style.
Looking at the heatmaps of Fernandinho and Zakaria, it becomes clear that Zakaria can replace the Brazilian seamlessly. With a high work rate at both ends of the pitch combined with his young age and experience at the highest level, the Swiss could be a great long-term fit for Manchester City’s midfield.
The only reason Manchester City are waiting to make a bid is because of his injury back in March. The Citizens are waiting to assess the fitness of his knee as he is yet to return to first-team action. If things go to plan, they would have a very able midfielder in their ranks. With recent injury troubles, City should also not be averse to adding more quality players to their squad.
Verdict
City have a goal difference of just -1 this season, which is highly uncharacteristic of them. If goals are tough to come at the front end of the field, then tightening at the back is one solution. Zakaria can help City in that area, as he starred in a Monchengladbach team that conceded the 3rd least amount of goals last season.
