Grading the summer transfer window: Manchester City

Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy - Power on the flanks

Kyle Walker is a perfect fit for Guardiola's style of play

In Guardiola's system, the full-backs are extremely important in build-up play. At Barcelona, he had Dani Alves and Eric Abidal, while at Bayern Munich, Philipp Lahm and David Alaba marshalled the flanks. However, at City, Pep inherited players beyond their prime in Sagna, Clichy, Aleksandar Kolarov and Pablo Zabaleta.

Thus, the attack was not as fluid as the Spaniard would have liked and he went about rectifying it this summer. Kyle Walker became the world's most expensive defender for a short while as City paid a total £53 million, including add-ons, to get the right-back from Tottenham.

The Englishman has pace, power, and end-product to go along with a willingness to push forward at every opportunity. However, Tottenham's Daniel Levy is a tough negotiator and he ensured the London side get more than a fair deal.

Benjamin Mendy is the world's most expensive defender at the moment

For the opposite flank, AS Monaco pushed City to pay a record sum for Benjamin Mendy in order to obtain the player. Eventually, the Sky Blues paid £52 million, a world-record for any defender. The Frenchman is one of the best crossers of the ball and brings in all the qualities of Walker as well.

Thus, City paid more than £100 million to get two players who were definitely needed. However, it remains to be seen whether the price tags will be justified.

Grade - 8.5/10