Manchester City have enjoyed consistent domestic success under Pep Guardiola in terms of the number of trophies they have won.
One figure that has been a prominent part of the team during Guardiola’s reign at the Manchester club is Kevin De Bruyne.
Specifically, with 293 appearances for City under Guardiola to his name, the Belgian has scored 73 goals, provided 125 assists and won numerous trophies.
The 31-year-old has shown again this season just how important he is for the team, having racked up more key passes (61) than any other City player as well as having the highest rate of shot-creating actions per 90 minutes at the club (6.43).
Despite his clear significance to the team, De Bruyne is one of City’s oldest outfield players, which means that the club may have to consider what life will be like without him once he leaves.
Should the Citizens look to the transfer market to bring in a potential next version of their star midfielder, one figure that they have been linked with recently that we feel could fit this particular bill is James Maddison.
During his time with Leicester City, the Englishman has scored 52 goals and supplied 36 assists in 187 appearances.
His performances for the Foxes this season have seen Maddison show the quality he has and why he could be seen as City’s next version of De Bruyne.
Would James Maddison be a good signing for Man City?
Yes
No
For example, the 26-year-old currently tops Leicester’s list for the number of key passes (31) he’s made as well as having the highest rate of shot-creating actions per 90 minutes (4.66).
Praised for his “frightening” form this season by Rio Ferdinand, Maddison (7.29/10) also ranks alongside De Bruyne (7.62/10) in WhoScored’s top 10 highest-rated players for this campaign, further highlighting how impressive he is and why he’d be a top signing for City.
Taking all of this into account, if the Manchester club were to land a deal for the England international in the summer, this would surely give Guardiola an extra star midfielder that he could see become just as effective and important as De Bruyne.