While boasting a squad of prodigious talent, with the financial power to sign almost any player in world football, Manchester City have a worrying low number of homegrown talent amongst their ranks.
With James Milner’s contract due to expire at the end of the season, and the England international considering a move away from the club, as well as Frank Lampard’s loan-spell to conclude in the summer, the Citizens will be in dire need to acquire British signatures.
League rules require Premier League club’s to have eight homegrown players – and here’s who we think Manuel Pellegrini could sign to meet the quota…
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Jack Wilshere – Arsenal
Age – 23
Market value – £22m
The Gunners ace hasn’t live up to the high expectations place on his shoulders when he first stepped out for the first-team, largely due to injury nightmares and off the field troubles, which could lead the Arsenal bad-boy to look elsewhere.
Would add some missing grit to the Citizen’s midfield.
Danny Ings – Burnley
Age – 22
Market value – £8.8m
The striker is out of contract at the end of the season, and has been heavily linked with a transfer to Liverpool, yet while certainly not on the same par as Sergio Aguero or Edin Dzeko, the 22-year-old could be a steal in the summer.
City, however, would realistically only be able to guarantee a spot on their substitutes bench – so it would take some careful persuading for Ings to make the move.
Raheem Sterling – Liverpool
Age – 20
Market value – £26.4m
The Reds attacker has been sublime for the past two seasons at Anfield, yet with the youngster having not signed a new contract, City could pounce – although it would take one mighty offer, making a move seriously improbable.
Ross Barkley – Everton
Age – 21
Market value – £14.08m
The Toffees midfielder has endured a torrid season, like the rest of his team-mates, however the 21-year-old is still considered one of the brightest British prospects.
Like former Everton star Wayne Rooney, Barkley will eventually move on, but we hope he stays put for the time being – avoiding ending up as another Jack Rodwell.
Aaron Cresswell – West Ham United
Age – 25
Market value – £6.16m
One of the unsung signings of the season – the Hammers left-back has started all of Premier League fixtures, and with City needing a long-term player to fill the position, Cresswell could be the most likely on the list for a move to the Etihad.
Nonetheless, given this is his first season in the top-flight of English football, it will be interesting to see if the former Ipswich Town defender can maintain his performances.
Harry Kane – Tottenham Hotspur
Age – 21
Market value – £13.2m
The most farfetched inclusion on the list – but Manuel Pellegrini has the lure of Champions League football on his side that could sway the mind of the striker.
Kane, however, is also a player who needs another season to prove his consistency at the top level.
Jay Rodriguez – Southampton
Age – 25
Market value – £11m
The Saints star was outstanding alongside Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert last season, but the forward ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in April last year, which has kept him out of action for nine months.
It would be a huge gamble to sign the 25-year-old, but with his contract due to expire in 2016, the attacker would be available a cut price.
