Premier League midfielder seen as someone who ‘ticks a lot of boxes’ for Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City have looked towards the profile of a rising and developing midfielder within the Premier League as a potential name that could support Rodri.

Pep Guardiola and his coaching staff remain in the process of arranging for a long-term solution in the defensive midfield role as they come to terms with prolonged life without Rodri this season.

Manchester City retain high ambitions of securing top-level success on a silverware front this season, but will have to do so without the Spaniard after he sustained a serious knee injury during the 2-2 draw with Arsenal last month.

Among the solutions trialled and tested by Manchester City so far are Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan in the solo defensive midfield role, but supported by the likes of Rico Lewis and Manuel Akanji advancing out of their defensive positions.

But other solutions could lie within the transfer market, and perhaps take up Manchester City on the opportunity to star within their midfield operation without challenge from Rodri for a prolonged period, should the club provide the necessary finances for a deal.

According to the information of Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton is now being seen as someone who ‘ticks a lot of boxes’ for Manchester City as a potential Rodri replacement.

As City continue to work on replacements for the long-term absentee in Rodri due to a serious knee injury, the report states that the England international is a name that “keeps cropping up” at the Etihad Stadium and is an “interesting” potential capture.

The former Blackburn Rovers midfielder remains a very young talent, and it is stated that the 20-year-old is seen by Manchester City as someone who will ‘only continue to get better’ with more exposure and experience in the Premier League.

Other names that are currently being assessed by Manchester City across the European game are Torino’s Samuele Ricci, with the Italian international viewed as both an immediate solution to the defensive midfield dilemma, and a long-term development project.

Italian media have capitalised on Manchester City’s need for a new defensive midfielder however, by linking the Premier League champions with a long line of names including Inter’s Nicolo Barella and Atalanta’s Éderson.

For now, Pep Guardiola will likely remain in dialogue with the likes of Txiki Begiristain over the need for a new defensive midfielder in January, with the pair holding a close and open dialogue regarding the first-team picture.