A Dutch international continues to be linked with a move to Manchester City but does he fit City’s needs?
It is obvious to any keen observer of Manchester City that they must sign a right-back this summer. Currently, Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes fill the role for Pep Guardiola’s side. But both players, at times, appear to be round pegs in a square hole. You do sense that Rico Lewis is better suited to playing as a midfielder. In the case of Matheus Nunes, he is a midfielder by trade. But he isn’t trusted by Pep Guardiola to play in midfield. You do feel that he could be a player to leave Manchester City in the summer.
So, looking at Pep Guardiola’s current options at right-back, it’s easy to see why City need to sign a right-back this summer. One player who the champions have been linked with to fill that role is Bayer Leverkusen winger/wingback Jeremie Frimpong. Fraser Fletcher has reported for TeamTalk that Manchester City have an interest in signing Frimpong. Furthermore, Fletcher reports that Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid are also interested in signing Frimpong.
So Jeremie Frimpong is looming as a potential transfer target for Manchester City. When you analyse Frimpong’s game you do wonder if he is what Pep Guardiola’s squad needs at right-back. When you have a closer look at Frimpong’s game that does appear to be the question.
Jeremie Frimpong is an attacking weapon but there are question marks that surround his defensive prowess.
When you look at Jeremie Frimpong as a player, his pace and power immediately stand out. He is lightning quick and his powerful forward runs do remind you of Dani Alves of Cafu. Going forward, Frimpong is an attacking weapon for Bayer Leverkusen. This season, he has scored 3 goals and added 10 assists in 39 appearances. Those statistics are sourced from transfermarkt.com. Last season, when Leverkusen won the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal double, Frimpong made 47 appearances. He scored 14 goals and added 10 assists. His forward runs and ability to be an attacking weapon were crucial to Xabi Alonso’s side’s success. For a player who is considered a full-back, those numbers are exceptional. But is Frimpong actually a right-back? That’s the question and does make you wonder if he would fit into Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Going forward Frimpong is an attacking weapon for Bayer Leverkusen. On top of his pace, his dribbling ability is exceptional. That is a key feature of Frimpong’s game. He is also adept at creating chances and a player like Jeremie Frimpong would help Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush thrive in the final third. But he primarily plays as a right winger for Bayer Leverkusen rather than as a right-back. Often, when you see Frimpong play for Leverkusen, he isn’t a player that gets back defensively, nor is he a player that is exceptionally solid defensively. Frimpong’s game is based on his attacking prowess rather than his defensive ability. That’s where you begin to question if he is the player Manchester City need at right-back. Frimpong can play the position but you do feel that it wouldn’t suit him in a Pep Guardiola side.
Perhaps Andrea Cambiaso is a better option for Manchester City based on what they need at right-back.
I do believe that Jeremie Frimpong would be a quality addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad. His overlapping runs from the full-back position and attacking prowess would add a different dimension to Manchester City’s play. It could help them unlock the low defensive block they are regularly forced to contend with. But the question marks that surround Frimpong’s defending do appear to pose an issue.
Perhaps Andrea Cambiaso is better suited to playing at right-back for Manchester City. The Juventus full-back is stronger defensively than Frimpong although he is also a weapon going forward for Juventus. Maybe that fact will see Manchester City target Cambiaso rather than Frimpong. That remains to be seen.
Jeremie Frimpong is a fine player but you do wonder if his game is suited to what Manchester City currently need at right-back. That appears to the the question to consider in light of Manchester City’s reported interest in the Dutch international.
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