A look at the summer period.
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00:00So, Michael, obviously looking at Manchester City in the summer window, we've mentioned a few times before that, yes, City are this unbelievable team and they've won multiple trophies, you know, back to back again.
00:12But it is important to sometimes add some players in there, you know, just to maybe sometimes freshen things up. I know obviously Pep Guardiola likes a bit of a small, tight bunch of players.
00:23In terms of what they might need from this window going forward into the new season, is there any sort of standout areas of the pitch that they might just need a bit of backup, for example?
00:35Yeah, I think so. I mean, I think you've hit the nail on the head with your assessment of the squad. It's a squad that has won four Premier League titles in a row.
00:44This time a year it was European champion. You know, it doesn't need a huge amount of work and Guardiola, as you say, likes to work with a small squad.
00:51But at the same time, you know, you stand still, you go backwards a little bit and City will look to bring in certainly a couple of faces just to freshen things up as much as anything.
01:00And I think the big area that there will probably be some concern over is just a little bit of backup to Rodri, because he played, I think it was 34 Premier League matches last season, maybe.
01:12And I mean, three he missed through suspension, one he was essentially given off because he complained publicly that he was tired and needed a rest.
01:22So, you know, Guardiola is very reluctant to give him a rest and that's because he doesn't really have any other option.
01:27Obviously, Calvin Phillips came in as that player he was supposed to provide a bit of backup for and it hasn't worked out.
01:32He hasn't really had a backup since Fernandinho retired two seasons ago.
01:35So I think that's one area that they could look to potentially add a little bit of depth in.
01:40I think they've also struggled a little bit since Ilkay Gundogan departed a year ago.
01:45They've maybe just lacked a midfielder who can add a little bit of tempo and a little bit more control in the middle alongside Rodri at times.
01:53So perhaps a player who can kind of tick both of those boxes, I think would be great for Guardiola.
01:58I think left back is an obvious area that, you know, they're still lacking a player.
02:03He just doesn't want to sign a left back.
02:05If you look at over the years, who's played a left back Guardiola, he just doesn't want to acknowledge the existence of that position.
02:12I think, I mean, you've got Guardiola and Ake who mainly played there last year, two centre backs.
02:16You've got Zinchenko who's played there.
02:20Who else? Cancelo, who's a right back. Fabio Dell, all these players.
02:24So I think that's one area that they probably do lack depth, but I don't think he's actually going to sign anyone.
02:29And then the only other area that perhaps you'd look at is goalkeeper, if Ederson does move on.
02:33I suspect if he does move on, that Stefano Ortega will step up and be the new number one.
02:38But I have a little bit of concerns about that.
02:40I think he's a very good backup goalkeeper.
02:42Is he ready to step up and play week in, week out for the best team in the world?
02:46I don't know. I'd be conscious that I don't necessarily think he's the best with his feet as well, which is obviously huge for Guardiola.
02:52So we'll see. So despite he having a brilliant squad, there are still one or two little areas you could, I think, just look to improve.