The dominance of Manchester City in both English and European football has prompted a shift in the transfer policy of their major rivals. After witnessing the success of Pep Guardiola’s team, who built their treble-winning season on the foundation of a formidable midfield, other clubs are now scrambling to sign midfielders. This trend is evident in the Premier League, where seven out of the top ten biggest transfers this summer involve midfielders. Arsenal is set to break the £100 million barrier for the first time with their move for West Ham captain Declan Rice. Liverpool has already signed two midfielders, Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion and Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig. Manchester United has added Chelsea’s Mason Mount to their squad. Tottenham Hotspur has completed a deal for Leicester City’s James Maddison, and Newcastle United has secured a club-record £55 million move for AC Milan playmaker Sandro Tonali in preparation for their return to the UEFA Champions League after 20 years.
However, this shift towards prioritizing midfielders is not exclusive to the Premier League. The biggest transfer this summer so far is Real Madrid’s £88 million move for Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, highlighting the Spanish club’s determination to dethrone Manchester City as European champions.
The Importance of City’s Midfield in their Success
Last year, the focus of transfer activity was on forwards. While Manchester City made the high-profile signing of Erling Haaland from Dortmund, other clubs such as Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Spurs, and Newcastle heavily invested in attacking players. Yet, City’s success was ultimately rooted in their midfield.
City’s midfield was a force to be reckoned with, as demonstrated in their 4-1 victory against Arsenal and their 4-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinal second leg. Guardiola had a formidable midfield lineup, with Rodri as the best defensive midfielder in Europe, Kevin De Bruyne as a versatile box-to-box player, Ilkay Gundogan excelling in both defensive and attacking roles, John Stones as another standout midfield option, and the brilliance of Bernardo Silva in the attacking part of the midfield.
With such strength in the center of the pitch, it is no surprise that City ended the season as treble winners. Their success highlights the importance of a strong midfield in achieving greatness.
Rivals Bolstering Their Midfield Departments
Recognizing the crucial role of midfielders in building successful teams, other clubs are now attempting to play catch-up by bolstering their midfield departments. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp initially wanted to rebuild his midfield last year but was unable to do so due to the focus on forwards. This year, Liverpool has addressed this need by signing Mac Allister and Szoboszlai, alongside transitioning wing-back Trent Alexander-Arnold into a midfield role. This influx of new midfielders, coupled with the experience of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, and Thiago Alcantara, provides Liverpool with a more convincing set of options.
Arsenal has also strengthened their midfield with the addition of Rice, who brings power and energy to the team. The combination of Rice and Martin Odegaard, along with the experience of Jorginho and Thomas Partey, gives Arsenal a chance to compete with City in the midfield battle.
Similarly, Manchester United has added Mason Mount, who offers tenacity, goals, and versatility to their midfield under the guidance of manager Erik ten Hag. Spurs and Newcastle have also made significant midfield signings with the acquisitions of Maddison and Tonali, respectively.
Chelsea, on the other hand, has allowed several midfielders to depart, raising questions about their midfield strength. However, they have already begun planning for the future with the signing of Enzo Fernandez and other promising talents.
The dominance of Manchester City has prompted a shift in transfer policy, with clubs placing greater emphasis on midfielders. City’s success and the importance of their midfield in their triumphs have made other teams realize the need to strengthen in this area. As rivals scramble to sign midfielders, the upcoming season promises a more competitive midfield battle, potentially challenging City’s dominance.
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