Ally McCoist has claimed that Manchester City have not yet managed to replace a player they sold for just £30million a few years ago.
The Citizens endured a poor season last time out, with Champions League qualification pretty much the only thing to write home about.
And though the atmosphere among Manchester City’s fans was positive going into the new season due to their transfer business, two defeats in a row have put paid to that.
Ally McCoist, speaking on talkSPORT, commented on the player he feels Man City are still missing, along with making a claim involving Erling Haaland.
READ MORE: Manchester City accused of making the most pointless signing of the summer
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Ally McCoist says Manchester City are still missing Riyad Mahrez
McCoist believes City are yet to replace Riyad Mahrez, who left the Etihad Stadium in 2023 to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli for £30million.
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The pundit also commented on Haaland, calling him a “great goalscorer” but suggesting City are not playing to his strengths.
“Do you know one I don’t think they’ve replaced? And it’d be interesting to hear the City fans, they might blast me out of the sky,” began McCoist.
“Mahrez. I think Mahrez was absolutely superb for them, I really, really do.
“I mean they’ve got a great goalscorer, but if they’ve got a great goalscorer, I think sometimes you’ve got to play to his strengths.
“And his strengths aren’t playing one-twos and balls out in the corner and things like that – it’s crosses into the box.”
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Manchester City will hope their young wingers can really kick on
In the past, City had some of the best wingers in the game – Mahrez, Leroy Sane, and prime Raheem Sterling.
Now, City have Oscar Bobb, Savinho and Jeremy Doku, three players who have split the fanbase – some think one or more of them will come good, while others think they’re poor.
Hopefully all three will kick on this season and prove a lot of people wrong, but as it stands, they’re nowhere near the level of Mahrez, Sane and Sterling when they were at City.