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Manchester City's manager Pep Guardiola gives instructions from the sidelines during the Community Shield soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley, London, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
Manchester City's manager Pep Guardiola gives instructions from the sidelines during the Community Shield soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley, London, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)Tim Ireland/Associated Press

Manchester City Transfer News: Pep Guardiola Wants One More Midfielder

Gianni Verschueren
Aug 5, 2018

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed the club's transfer business isn't over yet, as the Sky Blues are still looking for an extra midfielder.

Speaking after the 2-0 win over Chelsea in the Community Shield on Sunday, Guardiola told reporters he wants more cover for Fernandinho, per James Robson of the Manchester Evening News:

"We are trying. We would like to find maybe one more because we don't have two specific players to substitute Fernandinho.ย 

"But if he doesn't come, there won't be anyone else.

"When we take a decision it does not depend on one victory or one defeat. If today we had not been able to win the game the question could have been different โ€“ saying you need a midfielder.

"When we take a decision it is because we analyse apart from the result."

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 05: Maurizio Sarri, Head Coach of Chelsea (r) reacts alongside Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City during the FA Community Shield between Manchester City and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 5, 2018 in London, England
Clive Mason/Getty Images

According to Robson, City have been linked with a whole host of midfielders, includingย Julianย Weigl, Mateoย Kovacic, Marioย Lemina,ย Thiagoย Alcantaraย and Marcoย Veratti. He also noted the club tried to land Fred andย Jorginho, but they opted for Manchester United and Chelsea, respectively.

The Sky Blues aren't short on options, evidenced by Sunday's match. With Kevin Deย Bruyneย still recovering from the 2018ย FIFAย World Cup, Philย Fodenย slid right into midfield, playing alongsideย Fernandinhoย and David Silva.

Ilkayย Gundogan,ย Brahimย Diazย andย Oleksandrย Zinchenkoย are also options, and John Stones could see more minutes in midfield if the Citizens can't land another player:

Stones shares some attributes with Chelsea's Davidย Luiz, who also spent a good chunk of his career in midfield. He has the athleticism and range needed to play in a holding role, and his passing has always been one of his standout traits.

City have a number of options to slide into defence if Stones moved forward, includingย Aymericย Laporte, who is expected to have a breakout season.

The Sky Blues have a few more days to figure things out, as the Premier League's transfer window will close on Thursday.

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