Pep’s Defensive Masterclass: Euros Showcase City’s Wall of Champions
While critics scoff at Pep Guardiola’s spending sprees at Manchester City, the European Championship is proving a masterclass in his defensive recruitment strategy.
Forget the “chequebook manager” jibes. Guardiola readily admits the financial firepower at his disposal, but the Euros are painting a clear picture – City’s defensive investments have been nothing short of genius.
Struggle for Strikers, Stellar Showing for Stopper Backs:
This tournament has exposed the struggles of top forwards like Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo. Meanwhile, defenders, usually the unsung heroes, are basking in the spotlight. And guess who’s leading the charge? Manchester City!
City’s Defensive Dynasty:
A staggering six City defenders – Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo (Portugal), Manu Akanji (Switzerland), Nathan Ake (Netherlands), John Stones, and Kyle Walker (England) – are still in contention for the Euros trophy. This represents over half of Guardiola’s entire defensive spending (£276.5 million) across eight years.
Beyond the Euros:
Throw in Josko Gvardiol (Croatia) and Aymeric Laporte (Spain), and the figure jumps to a whopping £411 million worth of City signings making their mark on the Euros stage. That’s more than three-quarters of Guardiola’s total investment in defenders!
Profitable Investments and Future Prospects:
While some like Sergio Gomez, Issa Kabore, and Yan Couto might be heading out on loan, their combined value has already doubled or tripled City’s initial investments.
Sure, there have been a couple of flops like Benjamin Mendy, but profitable sales of players like Angelino, Danilo, Zinchenko, and Porro have more than offset those losses. Laporte’s £25 million departure last season further bolstered the financial picture.
The Verdict:
Guardiola’s hefty investments in defenders have yielded a squad capable of delivering trophy after trophy. The Euros are a resounding validation of his strategy. While critics focus on price tags, City’s defensive wall is proving to be a true fortress built on shrewd recruitment and exceptional talent development.
