Finding an alternative Gundogan replacement to Declan Rice: Gabri Veiga, Frenkie de Jong and more

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Declan Rice can be added to the long list of Manchester City targets that the club have walked away from, after the selling club demanded a fee the Blues deemed to be too high.

Alexis Sanchez, Fred, Harry Maguire and Marc Cucurella are the stand out names that come to mind, mostly because they have gone down as failures at the new clubs (the first 3 having joined Manchester United, whilst Cucurella joined Chelsea.)

Whilst many feel the Rice transfer is different, it cannot be denied that City will come out of the transfer successfully, so long as they bring in a good alternative and keep Bernardo Silva at the club.

By bidding a total of £90 million (£80 million with £10 million in add ons,) it drove the price up for Arsenal, who ended up bidding £100 million outright for the 24 year old, with a further £5 million in add ons.

Arsenal, thanks mostly to the input of Mikel Arteta, chased Rice relentlessly. This, combined with the rumours that the England international is comfortable living in London, would've made it very difficult for City to persuade him to join the club, even with the lure of the expectation of winning both domestic and continental trophies.

So they now have to turn their attention elsewhere.

The reason why they were so keen on signing Rice is because they viewed him as the perfect player to play either as a single pivot, alongside Rodri in a double pivot, or ahead of Rodri as a number 8, a combination of positions that very few players Manchester City standard players can operate in.

This means it'd be more likely that City will opt to go for more of a number 8; a player who is strong in possession and would be asked to fulfil the same role in the squad as Ilkay Gundogan. To me, this would make the most sense.

But, the main midfield target who's being linked with the club is Gabri Veiga, who's aggressive running, dynamic dribbling and excellent goalscoring ability is much more similar to Kevin de Bruyne and Phil Foden than Gundogan.

Whilst I'm sure Veiga would be an excellent signing for City, and he could certainly be adapted to add more control to his game, we'd either need to see a change in system, or Foden or De Bruyne left on the bench, to ensure a regular starting spot for Veiga, both of which seem almost impossible to me.

So we analysed Veiga, and 4 other midfield targets that Manchester City would be wise to chase in the summer transfer window.

1 - The most likely signing - Gabri Veiga

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The 21 year old, who's excellent performances last season kept his boyhood club Celta Vigo in La Liga, would undeniably be an excellent signing for the future.

Veiga is a skilful dribbler and dynamic in transitions, all combined with good end product, as shown by his excellent goal and assist numbers.

His ball retention skills will need to improve drastically, however, if he wants to start in Gundogan's role at the centre of City's midfield.

It'll be easier for Guardiola to teach the Spaniard to take fewer risks, like he did with Jack Grealish, than to teach a less risk averse player to create, as that is much more difficult task to accomplish, even for a coach of Guardiola's quality. This means that a move for Veiga is very much on the cards.

Veiga currently has a release clause in his contract, valued at about £34 million. City's director of football, Txiki Begiristain, loves a release clause deal, so this is the most plausible option on the list to act as a Rice alternative.

2. The highest quality option - Frenkie de Jong

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Whilst I believe it is unlikely we'll see De Jong in a sky blue shirt any time soon, the thought of him linking up with De Bruyne and Rodri in midfield is a mouth-watering prospect.

Like Rice, De Jong can operate equally as comfortably as a holding midfielder or a number 8. Another trait he shares with the 24 year old Englishman is that he's quite comfortable filling in at centre back if needs be.

Ball retention is a major skill of De Jong's; he'd be brilliant in helping City build from the back, as his spatial awareness, quick decision making and sharp turning ability makes his essentially press resistant.

A transfer is not completely out of the question, as Barcelona could do with raising funds, as they desperately try to avoid breaching FFP rules, whilst maintaining their status at the top of the game.

Plus, they currently have an embarrassment of riches in central midfield, and have just added City legend Ilkay Gundogan to the mix, so the departure of De Jong wouldn't affect them greatly.

However, whilst there are a few early stage transfer rumours floating around, this is a deal that seems unlikely to me, as, despite their economic turmoil, Barcelona seem unwilling to part with their big name players.

Also, De Jong repeatedly refused a move to Manchester United last summer, when Barca were more willing to sell him, which could suggest that he wouldn't want to make the move from sunny Catalonia to the North-West of England.

Although, if City do choose to offer the £90 million package they prepared for Declan Rice, then Barcelona may be faced with an offer for their Dutch midfielder that they just can't refuse.

3. The most statistically similar player to Gundogan - Piotr Zielinski

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According to SmarterScout, if City want a like for like replacement for Gundogan, they should look no further than Napoli and Poland international Piotr Zielinski.

The 29 year old has just helped his club win their first Scudetto since the days of Diego Maradona, so he has the winning mentality that City require, as well as the ability needed to play in a high quality midfield.

His attacking output, which ranks his chance creation and end product (according to SmarterScout) is rated at 79 out of 100, which is identical to Gundogan's, although this statistic doesn't tell us a lot, considering the role he'd be required to fulfil at City.

If Zielinski were to be a like to like replacement for the former skipper, he would need to do more than just create chances, as that side of things would primarily be left to the two wingers and Kevin de Bruyne. Therefore, other statistics would need to be taken into account.

Whilst his defensive quantity is much lower than Gundogan's (6 compared to 30 out of 100,) there is logic behind that. Zielinski is given more freedom and less defensive responsibility in Napoli's midfield, with Andre-Frank Zambo-Anguissa and Stanislav Lobotka doing most of the dirty work.

The difference in defensive quality, however, is much smaller, and the base number is much higher. Zielinski is ranked at 76 out of 100, with Gundogan slightly higher at 81.

And, finally, perhaps the most important quality in a Guardiola side: ball retention. And, on this stat, it is the Pole that ranks higher than the German, with 86 compared to 78.

Zielinski would be an excellent signing for City; with Guardiola's coaching, he could make him into a perfect all round midfielder. I'd suspect that Zielinski would be open to move, and Napoli would probably not demand a fee north of £50 million, which is well within City's budget.

However, there hasn't even been a sniff of a rumour, which means this transfer would, unfortunately, be highly unlikely.

4. The most statistically similar player to Rice - Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

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Another player equally comfortable playing as a holding midfielder and a bit further forward: if City want a similar player to Rice, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is the man for the job.

His relentless energy makes him an ideal Guardiola player in that sense; he'd never be criticised for a lack of effort. He can also operate as a 6 or an 8; another way in which he is similar to West Ham's skipper.

Hojbjerg's ball retention is probably not up to the standards of the rest of the players on this list (with the possible exception of Veiga,) but, according to SmarterScout, it is higher than Gundogan's and Rice's, with the safer passes he plays in Tottenham's midfield of course needing to be taken into account.

His defensive quality is significantly higher than Rice's (61 compared to 43,) which is impressive, especially considering he has a lower defensive quantity (45 compared to 59.)

Hojbjerg's attacking output also outstrips the 24 year old's (60 compared to 55,) but, again, his role in the Tottenham side, where he often operates as the more attacking midfielder in a midfield 2, needs to be taken into account.

He is 3 years older than Rice at 27, so Hojbjerg still has plenty of time to grow as a footballer.

Whilst he doesn't possess the same quality as Rice, Gundogan, or some of the other players on this list, Hojbjerg would still be a valuable squad player for City, and an adequate Rice alternative to boot.

5. The wildcard option - Granit Xhaka

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Whilst his Arsenal career has certainly been one of ups and downs, I am a firm believer that midfield enforcer Granit Xhaka's 2022/23 season at Arsenal is perfect evidence that he is good enough to play as an 8 in a Guardiola side.

Xhaka shone in midfield, playing alongside Martin Odegaard as a number 8, showing Ilkay Gundogan style qualities in his ability to enter the penalty area and chip in with goals and assists.

The fact that Guardiola and Arteta's systems are so similar gives me great hope that Xhaka would slot seamlessly into City's side. Whilst he's no Ilkay Gundogan, or even Mateo Kovacic, he would not be out of his depth surrounded by top quality players.

If City were to sign him, which is admittedly almost impossible, they'll have to act quickly, as Xhaka has agreed to join Bayer Leverkusen, as soon as Arsenal have signed another midfielder - in other words, Declan Rice.

To have such a good midfielder, who's ball retention, versatility and leadership make him an ideal Guardiola player, available on the cheap without interest from City seems strange.

However, he has shown major weaknesses in the past in terms of rashness and losing his head, something Guardiola would definitely disapprove of, meaning a move for Granit Xhaka to Manchester City will almost certainly never happen.

Or, alternatively, City don't sign anyone?

Is the answer to City's Gundogan shaped hole... no-one?

The transfer market is sparse for players who can play in centre midfield to the same standard as Ilkay Gundogan (with the exception of De Jong, although his place on the market is dubious.)

So, in that case, can City just make do with the squad they have?

As of yet, City have had 1 player come in (Mateo Kovacic) and one player depart (Ilkay Gundogan,) which could be seen as a like to like swap, as the two players specialise in playing as a left sided 8.

Other players rumoured to be leaving Manchester City are Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez, Kyle Walker, Joao Cancelo and Aymeric Laporte, with one or both of Cole Palmer and Sergio Gomez also likely to leave the club on loan.

If those players do leave the club, then City will need to sign 4 players as an absolute minimum, to make sure the squad is at a sufficient size. But, if all those players, bar Cancelo, who wasn't a part of the squad in the second half of last season, stay, is there any need to buy new players?

The transfer of Josko Gvardiol to Manchester City is edging closer day by day, which means we could see the departure of Laporte to make space in the squad for the young Croatian. But, realistically, are there any other players out there currently being hunted by City?

With the addition of Kovacic, we can expect to see him rotating with Bernardo Silva as the left sided 8, just like Bernardo did with Gundogan last season.

Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez are also perfectly capable of playing this role; however, not whilst in the same midfield as Kevin de Bruyne, as the lack of a "metronome" in the middle of the park would see City cease control. It could be utilised, but not on a regular basis, and certainly not in big games away from home.

John Stones could also play in midfield, most likely as either a right sided 6 in a double pivot or a right sided 8. With the transfer of Gvardiol edging closer, could this mean a permanent move upfield for the 29 year old?

Another potential option for that role is Jack Grealish. Unlike Alvarez and Foden, Grealish has the control and "pausa" required to start in the centre of the park alongside De Bruyne and Rodri for big games.

And, according to some reputable journalists, the plan was always to see City integrate Grealish as a left sided 8, where he'd rotate with Ilkay Gundogan.

Grealish would also add another element to the midfield, as a danger in transitions, almost as a blend of Gundogan and De Bruyne. His press resistance would also make him useful in City's build up play in deep areas.

If Bernardo leaves, with PSG and Saudi Arabian clubs buzzing around, it is a certainty that City will look to sign a new top quality name in centre midfield, and the 5 listed targets above will be the ideal targets to fulfil Gundogan's role.

However, if he remains put at City, like all supporters want him to, then City can certainly make do with the vastly talented resources they have right now in their squad.

After all that, it's now beginning to seem slightly bizarre that City even targeted Declan Rice in the first place!