Owen Hargreaves: “Guardiola needs a new Vincent Kompany, not Messi”

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The Blues had a rough season this time around because of getting knocked out in the quarter-finals of UCL by the 7th placed team in Ligue 1, Lyon. Pep’s men will have to rejuvenate and regroup themselves for the upcoming season. One major task ahead of them is to replace the legendary captain Vincent Kompany.

The manager was heavily criticised for his formations and team selection. He left magicians like Bernardo Silva, David Silva and Mahrez on the bench while all of them were absolutely fit. This overall mismanagement cost him a 3-1 defeat against Lyon. With Messi struggling with Barca’s management, there have been strong news pieces of him linking to the Etihad stadium.

Pep would surely love to bring in Messi as the two had worked together at Barcelona from 2008-2012 wherein they brought loads of glory to the club. But, to keep the club going, Owen Hargreaves, who is a former Man City player suggested Guardiola focus on the back four. He certainly requires someone as strong as his former captain Vincent Kompany.

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Defence needs to improve for Man City to progress

Hargreaves also made a point that Pep had analysed what change Van Dijk has brought to Liverpool after his transfer. “He needs a new Vincent Kompany, who can make or break a game in tight moments”, added the former City player. The game against Lyon was the only time that Hargreaves saw Pep experimenting with a new team and formation. But that experiment eventually cost the City manager.

“Pep will get criticised but he knows better than anyone what he needs. He needs a new Vinnie”, these words clearly expressed Hargreaves’ support to Pep and also a vital suggestion. No team can progress in a tournament like UCL with a weak defence. And Man City will certainly have to find either a Van Dijk or a Kompany in someone to make it in the future.

Barcelona’s rebuild is a time taking process and will certainly take some brain after constant humiliations against PSG, Roma, Liverpool and now Bayern. Messi has had the transfer thoughts but now they are only getting firmer. The new process will have Barca mend all their ways and sweet talk Messi to stay. This could be well an opportunity where the Argentine star could be seen playing on the English grounds.

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