Yaya Touré’s unsettling decline this season has initiated a Manchester City-led search party for Europe’s finest central midfielders to fill the Ivorian’s role.
Touré, who turns 32 next month, has netted eight goals this term, 12 fewer than he did in City’s 2013/2014 title-winning campaign, and his influence in the heart of Manuel Pellegrini’s midfield is no longer so apparent.
The Blues are expected to target young talent this summer. Paul Pogba, Ross Barkley, Jordan Henderson and Jack Wilshere have been suggested as potential replacements for Touré this summer, but if it is the home-grown tag that attracts the club so much, Txiki Begiristain should perhaps be keeping a close eye on Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin.
The 25-year-old may have been born in Zellwiller, France, but he qualifies as a homegrown player having joined the Saints at the age of 18 from Strasbourg. Schneiderlin has been a figurehead in Southampton’s impressive season and could be a cheaper, yet more competent, alternative to the English players City have been linked with.
The pros
Homegrown status
Last month, FA chairman Greg Dyke announced plans to reduce the number of non-homegrown players in each 25-man squad from 17 to 13. Manchester City have the current maximum of 17 non-homegrown players meaning the club would need to axe at least six of their foreign stars.
The likely sales of Edin Džeko, Stevan Jovetic and Aleksandar Kolarov will relieve three of those spots, but the club must ensure they re-feed the squad with better quality. Schneiderlin has been a standout player in Southampton’s impressive return to the Premier League and his homegrown status would help the Blues to meet the proposed demands without sacrificing ability.
Solidity
City’s ageing midfield has left them incredibly susceptible to the counter attack. The team’s direct style means most of their play is conducted in the vicinity of the 18-yard-box, but when the ball is lost, there is often too much space for the opposition to drive into.
City have conceded a number of counter-attacking goals this term; the most notable ones include Mame Biram Diouf’s for Stoke City last August and Glen Murray’s opener for Crystal Palace last weekend, and their sluggish, attacking-minded midfield must harbour some of the blame.
Morgan Schneiderlin has made the most tackles, 343, in the Premier League since 2012/2013 and has made more tackles this season, 68, than City’s top tackler Pablo Zabaleta, 63.
City need a player to shield their back four and to provide solidity behind their attacking players. Southampton boast the league’s best defensive record this term, having conceded just 22 goals, and Schneiderlin’s presence in the midfield has contributed significantly to that low tally.
Price and willingness to leave
Before the 2014/2015 season even commenced, Schneiderlin made clear his desire to leave the Saints. His decision to hand in a transfer request was made public, but Ronald Koeman did a terrific job in persuading him to stay.
This summer, however, Koeman will not have so much power. Southampton are not expected to finish in the top four and their key player is expected to leave with Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham reported to be interested.
According to the Guardian, Southampton will only listen to offers in excess of £25m for the 25-year-old, but that fee would represent excellent value for money for City. Ross Barkley and Jack Wilshere are likely to command fees of around £35m each despite their poor injury, goal and assist records and the club would be much better off paying less for a player who has performed more consistently throughout the last three years than the two Englishmen.
If City do register their interest in Schneiderlin, he will certainly listen to a side that can offer him Champions League football.
