Two Players Manchester City Must Not Sell in the Summer Transfer Window

The transfer market feels somewhat static at present, but Manchester City have been desperately trying to bring in new recruits.

So far, two senior stars have arrived—Ilkay Gundogan and Nolito—plus a handful of young development players who will perhaps be loaned out in order to continue their progress before being considered for the City first team.

They need more. Pep Guardiola has inherited a squad of players that have underwhelmed and underperformed in the past 18 months. These are hugely successful players responsible for bringing wonderful football to City—but there can be no doubting the regression we’ve seen in recent times.

Youth, pace, intensity and more technical quality is needed to avoid a repeat of the inertia that ruined Manuel Pellegrini’s final season at the helm.

Txiki Begiristain, the club’s sporting director, is often criticised for failing to identify the calibre of player City need—but he can’t be criticised for the speed with which he often moves when tying deals up. With two international tournaments slowing the current market down, and with clubs determined to hang on to their prized assets, he’s managed to deliver two new players and progress deals for John Stones and Leroy Sane. Both could join City in the coming days, ahead of the club’s trip to China.

Just as important as bringing players in, though, is moving on from those in the squad who are perhaps past their best. There’s been plenty of speculation about possible departures, but, as yet, the only one of note is Martin Demichelis, who was allowed to leave when his contract expired.

There are some who it would make sense to move on—Aleksandar Kolarov and Wilfried Bony chief among them—but others less so.

Here we look at two players who should not be allowed to leave the club this summer as Guardiola shakes up the squad.

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Jesus Navas

It’s a refrain heard so often at the Etihad Stadium. “If only Jesus Navas could cross, he’d be a decent player.”

To some extent, the criticism is understandable. A winger’s primary function is to deliver enticing balls into the area on which forwards can thrive. Navas too often hits the first man or misses the target.

However, it’s also a gross oversimplification of his game and fails to take into account the lack of physical presence City often have inside the 18-yard box. Navas brings plenty to the table that goes unheralded, and City rarely play with a big striker who he can target with deliveries. There are improvements to be made, sure, but the idea lets the side down and is a step down in quality that's wide of the mark.

He offers pace, width and directness—three attributes in short supply at City in recent times—and his work rate and defensive contribution is superb. He's a reliable starter and an impactful sub, comfortable in either role, such is the selfless nature of his professionalism.

With the work Guardiola will do with his team, which will be intense, tactics focused and tailored to each individual, Navas will no doubt improve. But it must not be forgotten he was one of the most consistent performers in the City squad last season, as well as a player who brought a different dynamic whenever he played.

He should remain.

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Vincent Kompany

As Vincent Kompany attempted a routine pass during City’s Champions League semi-final second leg with Real Madrid in May, he collapsed to the ground and began gesturing towards the bench. He had suffered a groin problem, his fifth separate injury of the season, and he knew his campaign was over.

He managed just 22 appearances in Pellegrini’s final season in charge and has now suffered 33 setbacks in eight years at the club, the vast majority of which have been a recurring calf issue.

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Under normal circumstances, it’s likely the club would be looking to cash in on a player with such a turbulent injury history—but Kompany is no ordinary player. He’s the club captain, a statesman in the media who represents the club wonderfully. Most importantly, though, he’s the finest defender in the Premier League when fully fit and at his best.

According to reports in Turkey (reported by Joe Short at the Express), there has been interest in Kompany this summer, with Besiktas thought to have lodged a bid. It’s unlikely that will progress, but it does highlight a general feeling that Kompany’s place at the club is no longer as secure at once was.

But he enjoys a strong personal relationship with club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, and it’s likely the City board see a role for him after his playing career is over—and not just an ambassadorial role. Kompany’s intelligence and professionalism could see him achieve whatever he likes after retirement. Director of football? Academy chief? Chairman? It would be foolish to rule out anything given his experience in the game and his knowledge of business and economics.

Which is why he will be given a chance to prove his fitness and reassert his position in the starting XI. Talk of cashing in, on some levels, makes sense. But there’s too much for City to lose by running out of patience now.

What is clear, though, is the need to find alternatives. They have gambled on his fitness in recent seasons and left themselves short when he’s found himself on the treatment table. City need a centre-back that’s reliable and solid, and if Kompany is fit and can challenge them for a place then it’s a bonus.

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This is an icon of the modern City, a player synonymous with the drastic improvement since the takeover by Sheikh Mansour in 2008. He can't be sold this summer. He will need to prove his fitness to Guardiola, though, whose "dream" is to see the 30-year-old fit again.

"My dream for Vincent Kompany is to be fit," Guardiola said at his introductory news conference.

"He hasn't played many games in the last few years. The captain has a lot of experience, he is a magnificent central defender, but he has to be fit. I spoke to him and said, 'Just focus on your body.'"

It's a huge season for Kompany.

 

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and follows the club from a Manchester base. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.