Manchester City will have a busy summer of players coming in and departing the club during the upcoming summer transfer window. There are a host of positions that City could look to improve during the summer. The most pressing needs appear to be in midfield, at right-back and possibly another centre-back. But a new report indicates that AC Milan defender Theo Hernandez could be a potential target for Manchester City. While Hernandez is a fine player and primarily plays at left-back is that a move City will explore in the summer? That appears unlikely on closer inspection.
Rudy Galetti has reported for TeamTalk that Manchester City are considering a summer move for AC Milan defender Theo Hernandez. Furthermore, Galetti reports that contract talks between Hernandez and AC Milan have stalled. Galetti goes on to report that Real Madrid also has an interest in signing the French international. Lastly, Galetti reports that AC Milan could accept a €35 million offer for Theo Hernandez which is appealing to Manchester City.
There is no doubting the quality of Theo Hernandez as a player. Hernandez is among one of the finest left-backs in European football when he is in full flight. He is both solid defensively and a weapon going forward for both club and country. He has established his position in the game at AC Milan. His quality isn’t in question but does he fit into Pep Guardiola’s squad? That’s something that doesn’t immediately appear clear at this stage.
First of all, Josko Gvardiol has been Pep Guardiola’s left-back of choice over the past two seasons. Gvardiol’s game has developed and he is integral to Manchester City’s game in an attacking sense. His ability in possession is well suited to Pep Guardiola’s system. There is that. Secondly, would Pep Guardiola add a player such as Theo Hernandez, who would want to make the left-back position his own? That appears to be the question.
Perhaps it’s a move that makes sense if Josko Gvardiol is moved into the centre of Manchester City’s defence next season. But with Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, John Stones, Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis on City’s books, you do feel that is unlikely at this stage. Of course that could change depending on who leaves Manchester City in the summer. But for now, it’s not a move that makes sense based on how Josko Gvardiol has been utilised by Pep Guardiola.
There is merit to the idea of Manchester City moving for Theo Hernandez. A player of his quality would improve City’s squad. But he just doesn’t appear to be the right fit for what Manchester City need for now but that could change come the summer.
