A Glimpse of the Future

With their seasons, both domestic and international, falling apart, City opted to be active in this transfer window. Two of their biggest signings, Abdukodir Khusanov and Omar Marmoush, represent the two paths the club is aiming to go down.

Perhaps, heading into this summer, this is the best way for City to prepare for what’s next.

Most expect Arsenal and United to be the most active clubs this window, but City surprised everyone. While not in immediate danger of a catastrophic event, Pep opted to bring in pieces to stabilize the ship and build towards the future.

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Marmoush’s meteoric rise these past few seasons symbolizes what’s great about this sport. After seasons trying to find his footing, the Egyptian broke out with Frankfurt. His fit, however, feels far from seamless unless Pep sees him as a super sub.

Part of Uzbekistan’s growing footballing presence, Khusanov represents the other side of the club’s plans. An aging defensive core desperately needs a revival, and the Uzbek fits the mold of a Pep defender. While he may not play a major role this season, his addition shows that the club is preparing for the next era.

Rather than waiting until this summer to address their issues, City used this lull to find a sort of safety.

Yes, having access to unlimited cash helps, but this is the behavior of a forward-thinking club.

Currently second to Harry Kane in goals scored in Germany, Marmoush leaves the Bundesliga with 15 goals this season. For an offense with Haaland, this gives Pep a unique chance to form a formidable tandem.

Since arriving in Manchester, Haaland has carried such a heavy load for City’s offense. Other players chipped in occasionally, but none filled that secondary scoring option. Perhaps Julian Alvárez may have helped one day, but he is a capable number-one option.

Only Gabriel Jesus seemed able to be a second option, but his inconsistency proved too much for the club—the struggle to find offense outside of Haaland hammers home the issues plaguing Pep.

Here, Marmoush enters after two seasons of lighting the Bundesliga on fire. An agile forward who always finds his way on the end of a pass or cross, he is the perfect second option. There exist shades of Haaland in his game in a way that none of the other players City used before had.

Having come up through the German footballing pyramid, the Egyptian found success at the home for strikers in Frankfurt. With the Eagles, Marmoush expanded his game, becoming a capable playmaker. Leaving the Bundesliga with almost double digits in goals and assists, he found himself the target of just about every top club.

What makes the fit interesting is that Marmoush, like Haaland, is purely a striker, and forcing him to the wing takes away his strengths. However, if the plan is to rotate him and Haaland, then this transfer makes perfect sense. Unless Pep decides to play with two up top, using a rotation of the two offers the team a stable attack.

Marmoush brings another attacking option to a City team desperately needing one.

Still young, the Egyptian offers more upfront potential than long-term.

As highlighted by Copa90, Uzbekistan is currently undergoing a footballing revolution. Led by Khusanov, the Uzbeks are finally arriving.

While defenders tend to age well, City currently only has two center-backs younger than 28. With John Stones and Nathan Aké likely on their way out, City desperately needed some youth. Additional injuries ravaged this side at points this season, pushing the club to explore their options.

Wednesday’s disaster in Paris put the Citizens on the brink of missing out on the next stage of the Champions League. Couple that with a title race that looks unrealistic, and it’s starting to look like a lost season.

A season-ending up like this is perhaps the best way to ease in some developmental minutes for youngsters. Chief among these youngsters is the newly arrived Khusanov. Having spent the previous seasons with Lens, the Uzbek arrives in Manchester with enough experience to become a fringe starter.

Unlike Marmoush, Khusanov doesn’t fit the mold of the prototypical Pep defender. He’s not particularly gifted as a passer, but City’s other options should give him some cover. Pep’s system churns out players who aren’t adequate passers, but the Uzbek can still develop into one.

However, if there exists one area where he shines, it is pure defensive work. One of the best ball stoppers in Ligue 1, Khusanov snuffed out just about every attacker in the league. The best comparison is a slightly less polished Gvardiol, where both players arrived as great defenders who needed to develop as passers.

Expect to see the defender get more time as the season progresses, especially if City goes out early in the Champions League.

Next season promises to be the season where the Uzbek will be handed that larger role. 

Despite only being in January, City’s season feels somewhat lost. They will still finish in a Champions League spot, but it feels like the team is preparing for next season.

Being active in this window will set them up for this summer in a way that other clubs should be doing.

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