A Spanish midfielder could be the ideal addition to the Manchester City midfield | OneFootball

If you work off the assumption that Manchester City will sign two midfielders this summer, trying to figure out who those two are outside of Elliot Anderson isn’t a simple task. The educated assumption is that Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson is Manchester City’s first-choice transfer target to bolster their midfield. Who the second midfielder could be that City could target isn’t immediately clear. Graeme Bailey has previously reported for TeamTalk that City are considered the favourites to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali. It remains to be seen if that is the case.

However, there is a midfielder playing in Spain that could be the ideal addition to Manchester City’s midfield. That player is Atletico Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios. On closer inspection, he may be the ideal fit for Manchester City’s midfield rather than Tonali.

Pablo Barrios has all of the tools needed to thrive as a City player.

The assumption is that Manchester City will enter next season with Rodri remaining at the club. Rodri is now 29, approaching 30, with many miles on his legs. Having said that, after his ACL injury, Rodri is getting back to his best. But at some point, City will need to find a player who can take over from their most important player. City do have Nico, and he looms as Rodri’s replacement in Manchester City’s midfield. But Nico has been on the periphery of the City squad recently. If Manchester City want to sign a midfielder who can play now, and eventually take over from Rodri, Pablo Barrios looms as that player.

At 22 years of age, Pablo Barrios is yet to enter his prime. He is a young midfielder who has shown enough at Atletico Madrid to suggest he is capable of being an elite midfielder. First of all, like all Spanish midfielders, Pablo Barrios is blessed with elite passing ability, whether that is in tight spaces or if he has time to consider his options. His composure in possession is elite, a prerequisite to play in a Pep Guardiola side. Also, Barrios is strong in a duel, despite his size, and he is capable of driving his team forward when in possession.

Pablo Barrios is a versatile midfielder who can play either as a number six or a number eight. His versatility, coupled with his immense technical ability, makes him a midfielder who seems suited to playing in a Pep Guardiola side. Much like Rodri, Barrios senses when to drop deep to gain possession to help his team’s build-up play. That skill would be an immense addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Tactically, Pablo Barrios is an extremely intelligent midfielder. He knows where to be both in and out of possession, and that ability sees him play a key role for Atletico Madrid and rounds out his skillset as a midfielder.

Having said that, is Pablo Barrios a viable transfer target for City?

Everything about Pablo Barrios as a player screams a potential Manchester City player. However one impediment would he his importance to Atletico Madrid. Barrios has risen through Atletico’s academy ranks which means he may not ever want to leave Atletico. He is also a key component of their midfield. However, Manchester City have been linked with a move for him previously. Spanish publication Fichajes reported in January that City viewed him as a potential long-term replacement for Rodri. So City have reportedly had their eye on Pablo Barrios. It remains to be seen if City will make a summer move for the Spanish midfielder.

It seems almost certain that Manchester City will move to sign two midfielders this summer. One of those will be Elliot Anderson, barring something exceptional occurring. Who the other could be remains to be seen. Atletico Madrid midfielder Pablo Barrios looms as a player who could fit into Pep Guardiola’s squad like a glove with his technical and tactical ability. It remains to be seen if that is a route that City will pursue this summer, but Barrios does tick every box required to be a Manchester City midfielder given his age, potential, and obvious talent.