Complacent Man City set to provide clearest hint yet over result of 130 charges hearing
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Manchester City have insisted it’s business as usual in the two years since the Premier League hit them with 130 allegations of financial misconduct. While there's still no clarity on when judgement day will be, this month's transfer market may give an indication as to whether the champions have proved their innocence.
A glance at the table illustrates just how much Pep Guardiola needs to reinforce his squad over the next 34 days. If Guardiola’s bosses need any more convincing about what needs to be done, then the sight of their manager holding out a begging bowl after Sunday’s much-needed win at Leicester must surely do the trick.
“In some positions we need help,” said Guardiola. “I thought our central defenders would be fit all season but we have struggled. Holding midfielders and central defenders, we need.”. City sporting director Txiki Begiristain has become such a master of the market that splashing the cash in January is seen inside the Etihad as an act of desperation caused by bad planning.
City’s last big-money winter buy was Aymeric Laporte in 2018. Sky Sports reporters detailed to stand outside the Etihad Campus on deadline day in deep midwinter have long learned that they will get nothing more than a warm cup of tea. But Begiristain has dropped the ball.
Perhaps it was the sight of Kyle Walker lifting a fourth successive title that led to complacency. Maybe it was the knowledge that he was planning to step down at the end of the season. What is certain is that Guardiola must shoulder some blame. The Catalan may have signed a new two-year contract in November, but how could Begiristain refresh the squad to any great degree when the manager may have also been planning to leave?.
