Manchester City have been heavily linked with a move for Arsenal superstar Alexis Sanchez, and if latest reports are to be believed their biggest rivals in the pursuit of the Chilean – Bayern Munich – have dropped out with their president Uli Hoeness almost confirming it in a recent interview.
Pep Guardiola’s team will have to shell out in excess of £50m for the services of the 28-year-old along with his astronomical wages, which will certainly be in excess of £250K per week. The Chilean has so far been at loggerheads with the Gunners over a new contract and with every passing day his departure seems all the more likely.
Trending
However, Alexis brings a lot to the table and can surely help the Etihad outfit take the next step in Champions League, while also helping Guardiola lay his hands on the Premier League trophy.
Therefore, without further ado, we take a look at 5 reasons why Manchester City should go all out in their pursuit of Alexis Sanchez:
#5 World Class attacking talent who guarantees goals
Alexis Sanchez scored 30 goals while assisting another 19 for the Gunners last season in 51 appearances across all competition. It was his best ever season individually since he became a professional footballer amassing 49 goals plus assists, which put him in the company of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandoski and the likes.
His goal-scoring prowess is well-known across the world, having plundered goals wherever he has played, be it Chile, Argentina, Italy, Spain or now England. The Chilean is not all about goals like many others but instead contributes to all attacking facets of a team’s play while also helping out defensively. He is without a shadow of doubt a world class forward who guarantees goals and playing alongside the likes of Sergio Aguero, Kevin de Bruyne among others will surely bring the best out of him.
#4 Adds experience to a youthful side
Sanchez is 28 and is very much at his peak. He will not improve much, he doesn’t have to, he is already pretty sensational while also having the experience of having played for some of the biggest clubs in the world. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City is one that has been injected with upcoming superstars of football in the form of John Stones, Bernardo Silva, Leroy Sane among others, excellent footballers in their own right but without much experience on the grandest of stages.
The Etihad outfit did have a lot of experienced campaigners but Guardiola has trimmed down his side considerably by allowing as many as 5 first-teamers leave. They still have the likes of Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Yaya Toure and a few other experienced world-beaters, and Sanchez will be a pivotal addition to this mix. The 28-year-old is the most capped Chilean footballer of all time – no mean feat – and he will surely help add balance to the squad.
#3 Brings winning mentality to the table
If there’s one thing that you can always associate with Alexis Sanchez, then that is – winning mentality. The Chilean sensation has won almost everything that is there to be won, having lifted 13 trophies with different clubs along the world. That is not all, the 28-year-old played a starring role in helping Chile win Copa America 2015 – their first major honour since they came into existence and he also scored the winning spot-kick that helped them beat Argentina in the penalty shootout of the final.
Alexis then helped the South American nation win Copa America Centenario – their second title in two years – and is currently preparing to lead his side to their 3rd international trophy in as many years as he and the Chileans gear up for the FIFA Confederations Cup final against Germany on 2nd July, having already ousted favourites Portugal from the tournament.
#2 Versatility and a hunger to win
“Life is short and a footballer’s career is even shorter. I want to win in every training session, I want to win every game I play in. That’s why I sometimes feel powerless when I go home after a bad result.” – Alexis Sanchez
Another hugely under-appreciated quality of Alexis Sanchez’s game is his passion. The passion to win, the passion for doing the best he can with or without the ball for his team and a hunger to win.
He may throw tantrums when he is substituted, he may be upset at his teammates when they spoil a chance, he may be angry when his team is losing but all of this stems from an inherent desire to win and never ever taste defeat. And more often that not, it is this desire, hunger, and passion that proves to be the difference between a winner and a loser.
Apart from all the other quality that he brings to the table he also adds versatility to the Manchester City team, as he can easily play across the front three. He can ably lead the line and will be the first line of defense for his side with his intense pressing – a quality valued highly by Guardiola in his forwards, and probably why Sergio Aguero has struggled for game time. He can also be deployed on the flanks, having featured predominantly on either left or right wing for both Barcelona and Arsenal.
#1 Understands Pep Guardiola’s philosophy
One of the biggest advantages of Manchester City signing Alexis Sanchez is that the Chilean is privy to the philosophy of Pep Guardiola, having already played under him at Barcelona.
The 28-year-old will not have to adapt to the rigorous demands of the Spanish tactician and is also the ideal Guardiola player, who does his job exceedingly well, is committed, relentless and contributes to almost all facets of the game. He does have a small issue of being self-centered or rather trying to do much by himself at times but that is one negative against all the other positives.
Sanchez will thrive under the world-conquering Spaniard and can be the one to take Manchester City to the next level – European dominance.
