Why Manchester City Should Not Be Targeting Attackers in January Transfer Window

Manchester City continue to be linked with new attacking talent in the media. Just recently, Simon Burnton of the Guardian linked the club with a £50 million move for Napoli striker Edinson Cavani.

However, in all honesty, what is the point of Manchester City trying to sign yet another striker with the core of attackers already at the club?

The only real problem area in the strike force for the club is understandably Mario Balotelli.

It seems that there is always some form of drama following the Italian international. His recent training-ground confrontation with manager Roberto Mancini is proof that, despite the faith his manager has continued to place in him, things just do not appear to be working.

Balotelli is obviously talented, but his attitude off and on the field is not worth the frustration the majority of the time. Over the summer the young forward’s performances for his nation at the 2012 UEFA European Championship were impressive and made it appear as if he had finally matured into the player he could be.

Now, six months removed from that, he looks to be back to his old self.

Aside from Balotelli, the Citizens have one of the strongest and most deadly set of strikers and center forwards in the English Premier League. Carlos Tevez has finally returned to his old self at the Etihad Stadium and proves that it truly is amazing what winning a title (or potentially winning one) does for the attitude of a player.

Tevez is a month away from being 29 years old, but he is just now entering the prime ages of his career. There are still multiple top-class years left in him, and his tenacity is essential to the club going forward.

Fellow Argentine international Sergio Aguero is only 24 and is at the perfect stage between talented rising youngster and superstar in the making.

Outside of the two there is also Edin Dzeko. The 26-year-old Bosnian international has proven to be deadly off of the bench so far this current campaign and would realistically be a starter on the vast majority of other English Premier League sides.

Waiting in the wings still is rising star John Guidetti. The 20-year-old Swede proved a force to be reckoned with on loan to Feyenoord last season, scoring 20 goals in the Dutch Eredivisie. He could be more than capable of picking up the position of Mario Balotelli if the Italian were to be sold.

So where exactly do Manchester City need to focus this January?

Their defense truly has some issues.

To start with, the club has too many fullbacks. With Gael Clichy, Aleksandar Kolarov, Pablo Zabaleta, Micah Richards and Maicon, it is not possible to give them all playing time. Richards' unfortunate, nagging injuries have seemed to make it appear that the fullback positions are level, but in all honesty Maicon's signing in the summer seemed a little unnecessary.

Their central defense is just as much of a mess. Vincent Kompany is the only real no-issue in the middle, as the Belgian international captain is top-class and set to be at the club for the next five years.

However, his supporting staff around him is questionable.

England international Joleon Lescott has fallen off the radar at the club and is likely to be sold or sent on loan in January—or at the latest, in the summer.

Kolo Toure likewise is past his glory days and is likely to be seen off in the near future.

Matija Nastasic is a long-term project for the club and has been solid for the most part since his arrival from Fiorentina; but at the age of 19, there is much left for him to learn.

Karim Rekik and Jeremy Helan also have much promise but need more time to develop at the ages of 18 and 20.

Manchester City’s biggest need is a solid long-term solution for a central defensive partner for Vincent Kompany. To get there, the club could sell any of the following players to make some quick cash and room: Kolo Toure, Joleon Lescott and Mario Balotelli.

Micah Richards’ injuries make him appear as a possible player to be sold, but he is more of a long-term player the club needs to keep, and he could be converted to a central defender in time if necessary.

Someone like Valencia’s Adil Rami would be an ideal addition for the club, as would Atletico Madrid’s Diego Godin. Neither have been linked with City in the recent months but could be solid places to start searching for what should be the next major purchase in the club’s future.

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