It’s hard to find a real standout among the options available. It is even more difficult if you start to compare any potential purchase to Rodri, who is the best in the world.
Zubimendi has defensive qualities that will stand out to City – his tackles (2.6), interceptions (1.1) and clearances (2.2) per 90 minutes are the best among the players highlighted in this piece.
His passing accuracy is pretty solid at 86.9%, but his number of attempted passes is among the lowest. However, you have to take into account the team he’s playing for. Sociedad are a good team, but sit eighth in La Liga – he’d see even more of the ball at City.
It also depends what type of midfielder City target and what role they expect them to play when Rodri returns.
Rodri himself is versatile and has developed his game to add more dribbling and drives forward – it’s not out of the question he’d move into a centre-midfield role upon his return.
That may mean City want a defensively sound option, such as Zubimendi or Wharton.
If Rodri stays in the six role – defensive midfielder – then City may opt for a ball-playing midfielder and that means Reijnders and Calhanoglu (he has the highest passes into the final third among the contenders) come to the fore with their impressive passing accuracy.
There’s also the unknown. Torino, who Ricci plays for, are currently 11th in Serie A. He’d be alongside better players and have more of the ball at City. Is there untapped potential for City to unlock?
