Manchester Metropolis‘s summer season of spending is seemingly set to begin.
The Sky Blues have been the world’s greatest spenders in January, signing Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nico González, Vitor Reis and Juma Bah for a reported £180m; that is greater than the opposite 19 Premier League golf equipment spent mixed.
Nevertheless, this seems more likely to be a mere amuse-bouche forward of the summer season rebuild, so will the Residents snap up one of many Premier League’s finest gamers?
Manchester Metropolis focusing on a brand new full-back
In accordance with a report by journalist Graeme Bailey, Manchester Metropolis are excited by signing Wolverhampton Wanderers full-back Rayan Aït-Nouri, having already made ‘background checks’ concerning the Molineux sensation.
Because the report goes on to notice, Pep Guardiola has beforehand prompt that they may look to signal a left-back this summer season, stating “clearly, Nico’s serving to us, however he’s not a left-back… we’ve discovered options”.
So, might Aït-Nouri be that answer, valued at £40m by Wolves, in response to Pete O’Rourke of Soccer Insider?
Effectively, the Algerian worldwide has actually caught the attention, with Dougie Critchley of Sky Sports activities noting that he has “been one of many Premier League’s finest gamers” in current months, whereas David O’Brien praises his “inventive” qualities.
Mega cash offers, controversial strikes and big-name flops. That is the house of switch information and opinion throughout Soccer FanCast.
However would he be a very good match at Man Metropolis, and would his potential arrival be paying homage to the signing of one other sky blue stalwart?
Why Ait-Nouri might be the following Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker joined Manchester Metropolis from Tottenham again in 2017 for a reported £53m, a world-record payment for a defender on the time.
Truthful to say, this proved to be a very good funding, because the desk beneath outlines.
|
Kyle Walker’s Manchester Metropolis profession in numbers |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics |
Walker |
|
Appearances |
319 |
|
Begins |
286 |
|
Appearances in aim |
1 |
|
Minutes |
25,716 |
|
Targets |
6 |
|
Assists |
23 |
|
Premier League titles |
6 |
|
Champions Leagues |
1 |
|
FA Cups |
2 |
|
EFL Cups |
4 |
|
Whole main honours |
17 |
When Walker departed for AC Milan in January, Ali Tweedale of Opta’s the Analyst acknowledged that the Englishman is the Premier League’s ‘best-ever right-back’, whereas Michael Cox of the Athletic provides that Man Metropolis wouldn’t have loved almost as a lot success as they’ve in current instances with out being ‘reliant on his restoration tempo’ which, now that he is 34, ‘has light’.
So, might Aït-Nouri have the same influence on the Etihad? Effectively, let’s assess his statistics this season to assist reply that query.
|
Rayan Aït-Nouri Premier League statistics 2024/25 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics |
Aït-Nouri |
PL rank |
|
Begins |
34 |
sixteenth |
|
Minutes |
2,865 |
thirty sixth |
|
Targets |
4 |
74th |
|
Assists |
7 |
18th |
|
Cross completion % |
83.9% |
86th |
|
Key passes |
36 |
52nd |
|
Crosses |
86 |
fortieth |
|
Shot-creating actions |
78 |
51st |
|
Purpose-creating actions |
12 |
twenty eighth |
|
Progressive carries |
79 |
forty first |
|
Tried take-ons |
116 |
twelfth |
|
Take-on success% (min 100 tried) |
48.3% |
fifth |
|
Tackles |
82 |
thirteenth |
|
Tackles received |
52 |
eleventh |
|
Interceptions |
24 |
72nd |
|
Ball recoveries |
133 |
forty eighth |
|
Touches |
1944 |
thirty sixth |
Because the desk outlines, Aït-Nouri is a really well-rounded full-back, rating extremely in terms of each attacking and defensive metrics, but in addition dribbling, with solely 11 gamers having tried extra take-ons, an impressively excessive determine for a full-back.
The Algerian can also be all the time out there, lacking only one Premier League match all season, and this was resulting from a suspension, which might be a really helpful asset, contemplating the defensive damage disaster Man Metropolis have endured all through the season.
Moe Adikwu of Breaking the Traces believes Aït-Nouri possesses ‘huge potential’, whereas additionally noting ‘there’s nonetheless loads of room for enchancment’, however Venkatanarayanan of Whole Soccer Evaluation highlights that he ‘is thought for his attacking prowess’, so would subsequently thrive in a group larger up the desk.
It seems fairly doubtless that Aït-Nouri will wave goodbye to Wolves this summer season, so do Man Metropolis lead the race to land his signature? If a deal is to be agreed, he might characterize a left-sided model of Walker at full-back.
Associated
Main Doku improve: Man Metropolis eye up transfer for £85m “world-class celebrity”
With Manchester Metropolis anticipated to spend huge this summer season, might they signal a “particular” winger valued at £85m who can be a Large Jérémy Doku improve?
