Yahoo News Guardiola squad fear, PSR breaches, Ederson decision - Man City transfer window verdict
The transfer window has been open for nearly two weeks without Manchester City making their mark on it.
That isn't unusual for the Blues and this summer in particular poses problems with so many players involved with their national teams at major tournaments. This also reduces the pressure for new arrivals to gel with their teammates in pre-season since Pep Guardiola will not have many of his stars to work with on their tour.
However, there are still questions being asked about what City are up to this summer. Our writers discuss whether the relative inactivity so far is a cause for any concern or all part of the plan.
ALSO READ: Man City silence in transfer market speaks volumes as rivals scramble to meet PSR deadline day
Simon Bajkowski
City are usually never shy in coming forward when it comes to the transfer window, making known their intent to strengthen even if it takes time to land their intended targets. This summer, the only words spoken about the market in the chairman's interview was a warning that Premier League regulations would restrict business and other than Savio it is unclear what, if any, business the Blues will do.
The concern is that while Guardiola likes working with a small squad the extra games from the Champions League and Club World Cup arguably necessitate some more incomings. And if next season is the last with the current manager, should his successor want more players are the Blues comfortable with adding lots of players in one window next summer?
While City have been slower off the mark this summer than when they won the Treble, that reflects what their rivals have been doing. If the lack of names is making people uneasy, Txiki Begiristain and the recruitment team have earned the right to patience.
However, as with the current squad having to prove themselves every day the pressure is on City to have another good window - especially after mixed success last year. There may be credit in the bank but there is still pressure and expectation to get what is needed.
Joe Bray
Ideally, of course City would be more active in the transfer window. They like to do business early, quietly and with as little fuss as possible, favouring release clauses over drawn-out negotiations.
But they also like to be efficient, and will never spend more than they feel they need to on a player - even if it leaves them short. The Euros and Copa America mean clubs will wait to sell players, hopeful that their players can boost their value on international duty.
And it makes sense for players, too. Why would they think about their futures when they can win a trophy with their countries? So the result is that City will have to wait, as will everyone else.
And knowing the decision-makers at the Etihad, they won't have entered this summer without a plan. Expect the transfer machine to whir into action as soon as the tournaments are over as City look to make up for lost time along with almost every other club.
Tyrone Marshall
City aren’t the only side to be inactive so far in this transfer window and they do have an advantage over the rest of the Premier League in that they’ve won it four years in a row.
A lot of the early buzz in the window is being dominated by clubs pulling off dubious deals to sign each other’s academy players, a clear workaround to avoid any potential PSR breaches. City aren’t concerned by their position so don’t need to be involved in any of this nonsense before June 30.
Securing Stefan Ortega’s future was a good start to the window and bought them a bit of time. In goal they now only need to react around Ederson’s decision on what he wants to do. It is a similar story in midfield, if Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne opt to stay, a new addition isn’t an absolute necessity.
I’m sure City will end up strengthening at some point this summer, but it won’t be as busy as the previous two windows at the Etihad and with two major tournaments ongoing at the moment, there is absolutely no rush.
