As one of the most drawn out transfer saga’s of this summer window- and even Premier League history- comes to an end, where does the transfer of 24-year-old Belgian international Kevin De Bruyne to Manchester City leave Spanish winger Jesus Navas?
Well the answer is most likely bench-bound, however, we shouldn’t be too hasty to disregard what Navas has brought to our club since we signed the diminutive winger 2 summers ago.
Being entirely ‘glass half full’ about Navas’ time at City thus far, the 29-year-old has brought us bags of pace and width, as well as a plethora of assists since his arrival from Sevilla in 2013. His ability to find pockets of space and link up with Pablo Zabaleta in our 2013/14 title-winning season was impressive, yet he lacked one thing. That killer instinct, final ball, killer pass and ruthlessness that a modern day winger badly needs.
That same season, around 51 KM west of Manchester in Liverpool, a now-familiar Raheem Sterling was doing what City fans so wanted their wide man to do. Chip in with goals and be more decisive when on the pitch. Navas is a ditherer of the highest proportion, something you simply cannot be in today’s game.
Fast forward to the start of the 2015/16 season and City have played four games. In each one, Navas has frustrated and teased City fans with his ability to get into the best attacking positions but proceed to somehow make almost no use of the tantalisingly good chances he has. Take Everton for example, where twice he had 1-on-1 type chances yet only managed to make his mind up only when the kindest of angles became the most acute.
I hear you, it’s harsh I know- but at this level and at the level we’re aspiring to be at, there is no room for mediocrity of the kind Navas brings. He has stretched play this season, yes, but surely that has to be the bare minimum for any winger…? The only thing I can doff my hat at, is Navas’ defensive work rate…an invaluable tool which I hope De Bruyne will bring to the table when he eventually pulls on a blue shirt.
Pellegrini is a massive Navas fan- last season Navas was the outfield player with the most minutes to his name- so to drop him for the newly arrived De Bruyne would be a big move from the Chilean. However, looking at the 24-year-olds season in Lower-Saxony last season, there’s no wonder City have gone all out for the playmaker.
Navas is an excellent replacement for an injured or fatigued De Bruyne and will be a useful asset for the other domestic cup competitions. We may also see Navas appear in some shape against his former employers Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan later this season too. However, this incoming arrival may spell a premature end to the Spaniards league season.
