Who Is Set to Become Manchester City's Next Big Star?
Manchester City have been England's third-best club since their takeover in September 2008. City Football Group have won four domestic trophies building their English project, enjoying more success in those seven campaigns than the previous 48 seasons combined.
Numerous managers have attempted to bring the Citizens up from their mid-table status to European power, and this endeavour required heavy investment. From summer 2008 to before summer 2015, City had spent upwards of £690 million on players; Father Time, however, has come knocking for some of those key transactions.
Vincent Kompany (29), David Silva (29), Pablo Zabaleta (30), Yaya Toure (32) and several others who have been long-serving members of City's squad are reaching the ends of their respective careers—though some are further along than others.
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While never able to lay their proverbial hands on one of the world's pre-eminent superstars—e.g. Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo—City have a strong core, led primarily by the world-class Sergio "Kun" Aguero.
The 27-year-old centre-forward is Manuel Pellegrini's unquestioned key player and, when healthy, is the best striker in English football. How the Argentine's future pans out at the Etihad cannot be speculated upon, but for now, Aguero is Manchester City's foreseeable star.
While their newly branded No. 10 is Pellegrini's current talisman, the Citizens should have one eye on the future and attempt to find their next torchbearer. To that aim, Manchester's blue half has opted for youthful options this summer. Raheem Sterling (20) and Fabian Delph (25) have been thrown into the mix, costing £57 million in total.
Of the two major incoming transfers, Sterling certainly carries the higher expectation and, in the immediate future, should blossom into one of England's best attacking players regardless of position.
Set to eclipse 100 Premier League appearances before his 21st birthday and already a permanent member of Roy Hodgson's England team, how high Sterling climbs depends solely on his dedication to fulfilling his apparent and obvious potential.
Is there a difference, though, between being labelled a great player and a "star?"
One would argue there is.
A great player contributes to his squad with solid performances serially. A "star," however, must be more than talented, more than a consistent contributor—he must be an ambassador for his club off the pitch. Whether Sterling can develop a charismatic, marketable personality will determine the ex-Liverpool man's ultimate status in a global sense.
Manchester City have an obvious, £49 million option in their squad, but a lesser-known commodity could prove just as viable—depending on Pellegrini's level of confidence in his club's academy.
Kelechi Iheanacho, an 18-year-old centre-forward (who can also play in attacking midfield), looks a promising talent. The Nigerian under-20 international has forged his way into City's first team for the 2015/16 season.
By all accounts, Iheanacho has the makings of a Premier League player. Similar to Sterling at Liverpool, all he needs is an opportunity—which he could receive.
Alvaro Negredo has been sold, John Guidetti was released when his contract expired, Stevan Jovetic has left on loan to Inter Milan and Edin Dzeko's move to AS Roma, via Sky Sports, appears all but announced.
These transactions open the door for their young attacker to prove himself, both in training and the occasional first-team appearance.
The Nigerian living up to his hype would give Manchester City not only a proper centre-forward but (given his demeanour) a certain star as well.
Finding Premier League quality is not simple nor cheap.
Finding legitimate stars is even more challenging.
Manchester City would be happy to worry about their next talisman once Aguero leaves/fades, but it is exceedingly possible they already possess their heir apparent.
He need but announce himself.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.
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