Why Grzegorz Krychowiak Is the Sevilla Player Manchester City Would Love to Have
The Manchester City squad was improved significantly over the summer, with Manuel Pellegrini’s side reinvigorated so far this term, particularly in attack where they have added more pace and guile.
Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne were their main acquisitions, and both have settled nicely.
Sterling has brought much-needed pace, and De Bruyne has been sensational thus far, scoring four goals and playing a central role in City's attacking play.
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It’s a squad with better balance and more speed going forward than the one which laboured to a second-place finish in the Premier League last season.
Pellegrini’s side take on Sevilla this week in their third Champions League Group D match of the season, and there may be some admiring glances cast in the direction of Grzegorz Krychowiak, the La Liga side’s Polish defensive midfielder whose reputation continues to be enhanced by some stellar displays.
In fact, according to John Percy of the Telegraph, City are set to battle Arsenal for Krychowiak’s signature, with a fee of £21 million being mooted.
The 25-year-old is thought to have been on Arsene Wenger’s radar for some time, with Pellegrini now also keen on the midfielder and weighing up a summer move. It is understood he has a €30 million (£22 million) release clause inserted into his current contract, which runs until June 2018.
Having joined Unai Emery’s side in the summer of 2014 after an impressive stint at Reims, he was a vital part of their Europa League success last season. He was the only Sevilla player named in the La Liga team of the year as they finished fifth.
Krychowiak scored in the Europa League final, which was held in his home country’s National Stadium in Warsaw.
Perhaps key to any deal will be the form of Fernando. The Brazilian midfielder, who joined City last summer from Porto, had a poor debut season at the Etihad and left many people questioning his ability to impact the Premier League.
The 28-year-old claims he played through pain for much of the campaign having suffered a groin injury in City’s defeat to Stoke City in the third match of the season.
"I was able to play really well [initially]," he told Bleacher Report earlier this season. "Unfortunately, I picked up an injury that set me back a bit. I never could get back to my best. I tried hard, I kept playing, but I felt pain."
If he can improve, and the early signs suggest he is now pain-free and ready to make a better impression, then the need for Pellegrini to add Krychowiak to his ranks would be reduced.
Fabian Delph was brought in this summer, and although he isn’t an out-and-out defensive midfielder, he brings added options to City’s midfield and would also minimise the need for further reinforcements.
The England international has been beset by injuries already, making just two brief substitute appearances, but there are high hopes for him at City.
The 25-year-old has improved hugely in recent seasons and became Aston Villa’s most consistent player before his departure to the Etihad. If he can get himself fit and in contention, competing with Fernandinho and Yaya Toure for a starting place, City will have the depth of options they crave.
Krychowiak is clearly a player worth keeping their eye on. He is a very tidy player who recovers the ball and recycles possession well. His rise of the past two seasons has been rapid and he appears to be developing nicely.
City will no doubt keep tabs on the player this season and make a decision on whether to pursue his signature before the summer transfer window.
Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.
