There is a strong case for Manchester City to move for a Crystal Palace star this summer | OneFootball

Manchester City will be in the market for midfielders this summer. There is no doubt about that fact. Bernardo Silva seems set to leave the club this summer. It also would not be a surprise to see Mateo Kovacic depart the club during the upcoming summer transfer window. There are also doubts that surround the future of Manchester City’s midfield general Rodri. So the need for City to reinforce their midfield is clear to see.

At this stage, it would be a major surprise if Elliot Anderson didn’t land at the Etihad from Nottingham Forest this summer. If that were to occur, you’d sense that City would need to sign another midfielder. One player City could look at is Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton. The England international has long seemed ready for a move to a big club from Crystal Palace. Perhaps he is a player who could bolster Manchester City’s midfield.

Adam Wharton possesses all of the ability in possession needed to thrive at Manchester City.

In terms of the type of midfielder that Manchester City may need this summer, that is dependent on who leaves the club. If the assumption is that Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic depart City, they will need a player like Elliot Anderson to help fill that void. Anderson is a bundle of energy in midfield with his work rate. The Nottingham Forest midfielder is also blessed with all of the necessary technical ability to be a quality addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad. So Anderson ticks one box for City.

If Manchester City do need to sign another midfielder this summer, who that player could be is currently a variable. If Rodri were to leave, City would need a number six, in theory anyway. Having said that, perhaps they would not need another number six, with Nico being the next player up in that position. Elliot Anderson can also play as a number six, which he does for England.

Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is a player who does seem made for a role at Manchester City. In terms of his passing, Wharton is elite. He has a wide range of passing playing in a deeper midfield role which could be a weapon for City. Another trait of Wharton’s that sees him as an ideal target for City is how quick he reads the game. Wharton quickly reads the danger around him before receiving the ball, and can play through the lines before his opponents react. His awareness is also at such a high level that Wharton knows where his teammates are before receiving the ball. That gift of Adam Wharton’s sees him as a player who could thrive in a Pep Guardiola side.

Adam Wharton does need to work on his game out of possession and defensively. However, he isn’t a slouch in this department either. A move to Manchester City could be the ideal environment for Wharton to further enhance this side of his game. Especially when you consider the potential of pairing Adam Wharton with Manchester City’s plethora of midfielders.

Is a City move for Adam Wharton a realistic possibility?

I do believe Manchester City will look to sign two midfielders this summer. The may may well have to. As written above, one target is seemingly Elliot Anderson. I do believe City could pursue a move for Adam Wharton given how well-suited his game is to playing in a Pep Guardiola side.

But is Adam Wharton an actual transfer target for Manchester City? Sky Sports recently reported that City, alongside Arsenal and Manchester United, have an interest in signing Adam Wharton. Interestingly, Sky Sports reports that Adam Wharton is viewed as potential partner for Elliot Anderson in England’s midfield. Perhaps that is a move City may well pursue.

If Manchester City do move for two midfielders this summer, Adam Wharton is a player who looks to have the game to become a City player. His ability in possession is elite, and although he can play as a number six, he does seem to be a midfielder who could play well with Rodri, Nico, Nico O’Reilly and whoever else City have in their midfield next season. It remains to be seen if Manchester City could move for Adam Wharton in the summer, but it is a move that has merit based on Adam Wharton’s obvious strengths as a player.