Manchester City hero pinpoints where the club need to strengthen this summer
Manchester City's disappointing season had its icing on the cake on Saturday as they were beaten by Crystal Palace in the FA Cup Final.
The defeat means City will end the campaign trophyless, bar a Community Shield, while they still need more league wins to confirm their place in next season's Champions League.
Their difficulties this year have once again raised questions about their summer recruitment and the need for a squad refresh.
Kevin De Bruyne is already on his way and several could follow, but speaking exclusively to DAZN News, thanks to 10bet, former City striker Paul Dickov earmarked where he'd like to see the team strengthened.
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"I think it's pretty well documented. Probably both fullback areas," Dickov said.
"I know Kyle Walker went to AC Milan, it looks as if he might be leaving in the summer. When he's been needed, the young boy Nico O'Reilly has been fitting in at the left-back position. And Gvardiol, for me, has been the player of the season for Manchester City, whether it be centre-half or left-back. But yeah, both fullback positions could do with more depth.
"And it all depends on the outgoings as well, not just Kevin De Bruyne. We're going to need somebody in there that has got the creativity. It's going to be so difficult to replace Kevin.
"He's just been a wonderful, wonderful player for the time he's been at the football club."
Club World Cup
Club World Cup
De Bruyne couldn't magic up a fairytale farewell at Wembley, but the Belgian will say goodbye to the Etihad when City take on Bournemouth on Tuesday night.
After a glorious decade in Manchester and an impressive trophy haul, Dickov believes the pass master will be viewed as one of the club's greatest ever players.
Adding, "He’d be right near the very top. Yeah, he would for me, and it's a difficult one to pick out.
"I wasn't fortunate enough to see Colin Bell, who the older City fans tell me is the best player. So I can only go off the players that I've seen.
"But over the last 10 years, they’ve been blessed. David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany. Just top, top players. But for me, I'll put Kevin up there at the very top. His goals, his assists. A lot of people don't talk about it, but he's worked out so great.
"I think when you've got such a wonderful talent, that tends to get overseen a little bit, and City have been at their best over the last few seasons. It's when they've been pressing teams right from the front - Kevin has always been the one that set that off.
"And he's a leader. He doesn't shout, but he's a leader on the pitch. And the biggest thing for me is that he’s doing it in that team with all the wonderful players we've just mentioned.
"He makes players better just by being on the pitch with them. If you speak to all the forwards there over the years - your Sterlings, your Sanes, even Gabriel Jesus, especially Aguero and Erling Haaland, they will without doubt say he's the best player they have played with. I think that speaks volumes."
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