Manchester City are approaching a time when they’ll need to rebuild their midfield, and one of the first tasks for incoming Director of Football Hugo Viana may be finding a successor for Kevin De Bruyne. With the Belgian star nearing the twilight of his career, reports suggest City are already laying the groundwork to sign Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Georgiy Sudakov as a potential replacement.
According to Pete O’Rourke of *Football Insider*, City are closely monitoring Sudakov, who has impressed this season. O’Rourke adds that the Ukrainian playmaker is on City’s transfer list, though it would likely take a substantial offer to convince Shakhtar Donetsk to part with their prized asset. Arsenal, Liverpool, and Tottenham are also reportedly interested in Sudakov.
Sudakov’s form this season has been outstanding. According to *Transfermarkt*, in 10 appearances across all competitions, he has scored seven goals and provided two assists—a remarkable tally for a midfielder. Last season, he contributed 10 goals and six assists in 34 matches, showcasing his knack for scoring from midfield. However, replacing a player of De Bruyne’s caliber requires more than just goal-scoring ability.
Fortunately, Sudakov’s game has other qualities that could make him a good fit at City. He is known for his excellent vision, especially when it comes to long balls and cross-field passes, both of which would be valuable in Guardiola’s system. While ball recovery isn’t a particular strength, he is an adept dribbler and excels in set-piece delivery, showing some parallels to De Bruyne’s skill set.
As Sudakov continues to impress for Shakhtar Donetsk, City will undoubtedly keep a close eye on his development. If his strong form persists, he may very well emerge as a viable option to fill the void when De Bruyne eventually steps down from his pivotal role at the Etihad.
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