5 Potential Strikers Manchester City Should Consider to Replace Edin Dzeko
The form of Edin Dzeko has been questionable this season. After a wonderful end to the 2013-14 campaign, which saw him score a string of vital goals as Manchester City closed in on their second title in three seasons, 2014-15 has been altogether more difficult. His record of just six goals in all competitions has raised question marks about his future.
It now seems likely he would be allowed to leave should a decent offer come in for him, but who could replace him? Given Wilfried Bony arrived at the Etihad in January, a player similar in style to Dzeko, a like-for-like replacement isn’t necessarily needed. City, though, need to add something new to their attacking options.
Here are five potential forwards who could arrive in the summer and replace the Bosnian if he leaves.
Alexandre Lacazette
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The goalscoring exploits of Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette this season have surely had all of Europe’s major sides monitoring his progress. He’s bagged 29 goals in 34 matches—a remarkable return for a 23-year-old.
He has six caps for France and scored his first international goal in March in a friendly win over Denmark. In terms of young striking talent, few can match his exploits over the past 12 months.
With 69 career goals to his name and a varied, exciting game, he is sure to be a target for City should Dzeko exit.
Raheem Sterling
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Raheem Sterling may not be a striker in the pure sense of the word, but the Liverpool forward possesses attributes City badly need.
At times this season, Manuel Pellegrini’s side have severely lacked pace and Sterling offers it in abundance. He’s a ball carrier, a player capable of committing players and creating space for others. Defenders fear him.
Jesus Navas is the closest player City have to Sterling, but he is surely set for a reduced role next season once a summer spending spree has been completed. The Spanish winger is an excellent squad player, but if City want to compete with the very best, he perhaps needs to take a less central role next season.
Sterling’s homegrown status is also a hugely attractive element for City to consider, even if he is set to cost a small fortune to prize him away from Anfield.
Harry Kane
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After a season in which he’s scored 20 league goals, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to ignore Harry Kane. He may lack a standout attribute that makes it easy for commentators to define him, but his array of qualities all add up to a very promising player, indeed.
The range of goals he’s scored this season has been remarkable. Some have been instinctive, No. 9-type finishes, while others have been a result of his ability to drop deep and play in a style akin to Teddy Sheringham.
Ultimately, he may prove to lack the quality needed to be a consistent performer at the very highest level, but, if nothing else, he has proven a few people wrong this season with his displays.
Thomas Muller
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Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller would be a superb acquisition for City.
It’s unlikely he’d want to swap the Allianz Arena for the Etihad given Bayern remain one of the strongest squads in Europe, but he’s exactly the kind of striker that could replace and improve on Dzeko.
He’s wonderfully intelligent, capable of drifting into dangerous areas and scoring almost unnoticed. His goalscoring record speaks for itself, with 10 in 13 World Cup games for Germany and 121 in 302 for Bayern in total.
Christian Benteke
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Aston Villa's 24-year-old Belgium international striker, Christian Benteke, has for a long time been described as a player of real potential, but his form since the arrival of Tim Sherwood as manager at Villa Park has seen his status increase.
He's scored seven in his last five matches, a haul that has helped Villa move close to safety, and he was awarded the Premier League Player of the Month award for April.
Powerful, quick and with goalscoring instincts, he could well be viewed as a possible Dzeko replacement.
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