Nico has added stability to Manchester City’s midfield in a role that doesn’t suit him | OneFootball

Manchester City clinched the signing of Nico from FC Porto on deadline day of the January transfer window. The Spanish midfielder has had moments of quality since arriving at the Etihad. His performance against Newcastle United during Manchester City’s 4-nil win remains his standout performance since arriving at City.

Outside of that, he has shown moments of quality, and on other occasions, Nico has struggled. But at the very least Nico has added stability to Manchester City’s play. He is also playing in a position that doesn’t appear to be where he’ll eventually ply his trade for City when Rodri returns and the upcoming summer transfer window is complete. All told Nico added what Pep Guardiola’s side needed for now, and that’s a positive for Manchester City.

Before Nico arrived at Manchester City there was a complete lack of stability in City’s midfield. The loss of Rodri to a season-ending knee injury exposed the holes in Pep Guardiola’s squad. Ilkay Gundogan, Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva were tasked with filling Rodri’s shoes. They weren’t capable of doing so. That is why Manchester City had to sign a midfielder during the January transfer window. Nico’s arrival did help in this regard. Although the same issues persist they aren’t as pronounced as they were during November and December for Pep Guardiola’s side. That’s a credit to Nico and what he’s added to the Manchester City squad.

But watching Nico play for City and for FC Porto earlier this season you sense that he is playing out of position for now. Nico’s best position is as a number eight and you do feel that’s where he will make his name at Manchester City. One piece of play during City’s 2-all draw with Brighton on Saturday further illustrates this point.

The best of Nico will come when he has Rodri or another midfielder alongside him.

Nico played a key role in the move that saw Omar Marmoush earn the penalty that Erling Haaland dispatched on Saturday. Alongside Savinho, it was Nico’s pressing high up the pitch that saw City win possession in a dangerous area of the pitch. The move that created the penalty came as a direct result of Nico’s ability to press further up the pitch. You see no reason why this feature of Nico’s play won’t become a key part of City’s play when Rodri returns from injury. Or if another number six is possibly signed by Manchester City in the summer. With Rodri or a competent holding midfielder behind him, it should allow Nico to play in the position he’s best suited.

We saw Nico play as a number eight or as an attacking midfielder for FC Porto. In statistics sourced from transfermarkt.com he scored 7 goals and added 5 assists in these roles for FC Porto. There’s no reason why he can’t contribute similar numbers to Pep Guardiola’s side when the City squad is at it’s strongest. The hope is that he can as it will also help address the lack of creativity in midfield for Manchester City.

For now Nico has added stability to Manchester City’s midfield. He hasn’t set the world on fire but he’s added a vital element to City’s play. Nico deserves credit for that. But ultimately you feel that he will shine for Manchester City in his preferred role as a number eight. That’s a proposition we likely won’t see until next season. But you sense it is coming and will help Pep Guardiola’s side immeasurably from next season onwards.