Following their 2-all draw with Crystal Palace yesterday it is clear to see what areas of their squad Manchester City need to address in January. Another midfielder is a must. That is an obvious need. But they also need another right-back. That is becoming apparent with every game that passes. This fact stood out even more yesterday come the final whistle.
This season has seen a rapid decline from Kyle Walker. It’s at a point where you can only say that age and battles previously fought have caught up to Manchester City’s captain. It is sad to see Walker’s decline as a player. He has been an absolute warrior for Manchester City and has been crucial to City’s era of dominance. But so often in football, the end of a player comes extremely quickly. That is what has looked to have happened to Kyle Walker. He was at fault for both of Palace’s goals yesterday. That is just the facts of what we saw at Selhurst Park yesterday.
Manchester City need another right-back. Walker needs support and reliable support. Rico Lewis has carried a heavy workload this season. He’s played too much for a player of his age. That’s the legacy of the injuries Manchester City have been forced to deal with this season. Manuel Akanji can play the role but he’s also fatigued and currently injured. When you watch City play, teams are going at Kyle Walker or City’s right-hand side. It’s this fact that makes it clear to see that City need a new right-back next month.
They can’t afford to go on as is. It’s too big a burden to carry. Recent transfer stories appear to hint at Manchester City knowing this. CaughtOffside has reported that City have an interest in signing Bayer Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong. David Ornstein has reported for the Athletic that there is a release clause in Frimpong’s current contract for a figure worth around €40 million. It’s at a point, in my opinion, where Manchester City just have to pay that and bring him in if he’s the player they believe can replace Kyle Walker.
But Manchester City must sign a right-back in January. They’re doing Kyle Walker and their squad a disservice if they don’t. Walker has been too good for too long for the world champions to be the target of constant criticism. But that’s the nature of the game. The world champions also need a right-back to strengthen their squad. It’s a move they have to make in January as I feel they don’t any other choice now.