Edin Dzeko and Diego Costa are not the answer to Man City striker issues – Joe Bray

If Edin Dzeko and Diego Costa are the reply, then what precisely is the query?

Each strikers have been linked with strikes to Manchester City this week, though there may be nothing to counsel there may be any curiosity from Metropolis in any respect.

First, Micah Richards declared that Metropolis would win the Premier League in the event that they introduced in former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid striker Costa earlier than Monday’s switch deadline, pointing to the Spaniard’s means to supply a ‘plan B’ and his free agent standing as his promoting factors – to not point out his good report in England.

“Why not get him in till the tip of the season?” Richards requested. “He would do extra than simply ruffle a number of feathers and be a ache within the bottom for opposition defences – he’s a confirmed finisher who would provide Pep Guardiola’s facet a correct plan B.”

Then there may be Dzeko, who might be 35 earlier than the tip of the season.

What began as a few studies that had been largely ignored have garnered help from some Metropolis followers who would like to see the Bosnian return for a second spell at Metropolis.

Dzeko was by no means underappreciated by Blues followers, however he arguably was by the remainder of the Premier League. Since leaving, he has gained extra recognition in Serie A however is being linked with an exit from Roma after 5 years.

To offer these options a second of seriousness, Dzeko averaged a objective or help each 99 minutes for Metropolis. His report of 114 targets and 52 assists in 242 appearances for Roma is sweet, nevertheless it’s barely much less prolific than his Metropolis days at a contribution each 112 minutes. As compared, Jesus has a objective or help each 193 minutes this season, however each 96 minutes general for Metropolis.

Since leaving Chelsea for Atletico, Costa averaged a objective involvement each 166 minutes – and a card each 206 minutes. He’d ruffle the feathers, as Richards argues, however would that be a very good factor?

The difficulty to contemplate is whether or not Metropolis really need a brand new striker, even within the quick time period.

Gabriel Jesus is coming again to health, however he isn’t essentially the most prolific, whereas Sergio Aguero has been out for a lot of the final 12 months and is at the moment isolating with Covid. Of their absences this season, Metropolis have managed with out a striker and are studying to fill the areas within the centre of the entrance line from midfield.

It is a answer that has labored properly within the final two months, however the long-term feeling is that’s is not sustainable. Hopefully, as Guardiola predicts, Aguero will quickly be again to play a key half within the run-in in February and March.

Possibly a short-term signing would relieve stress on Jesus – and the midfielders deputising as forwards – however they would want to discover a participant used to Guardiola’s calls for. With all due respect to Odion Ighalo and Edinson Cavani – two success tales relating to older strikers fixing a short-term downside – it is simpler to slot in at Manchester United than it’s at Metropolis, merely due to Guardiola’s technical system and expectations of his forwards.

Metropolis are a distinct membership to the one Dzeko left, and play otherwise. He may need them a bit extra presence in assault, however he may also want time to adapt to a brand new method of enjoying that Metropolis cannot afford to provide him. The identical goes for somebody like Costa, who is likely to be extra bother than he’s price. Metropolis will certainly get extra long-term advantages from creating Jesus and giving gamers like Ferran Torres and Phil Foden extra sport time.

In any occasion, Guardiola has insisted there might be no January arrivals, with whispers of a deal with the entrance line in the summertime when Aguero’s contract is up as an alternative.

Metropolis have proven they’ll handle with out their two essential strikers till now, and there’s no profit to panicking now when they’re each shut, fingers crossed, to returning. Guardiola is the final supervisor to panic purchase – as Metropolis have discovered to their value when no defender arrived when Vincent Kompany left – and he will not begin now.

Nevertheless nostalgic it will be to see Dzeko again in a Metropolis shirt, benefitting from the supply of Kevin De Bruyne and cutbacks from the likes of Bernardo, Foden and Raheem Sterling, that prospect is finest saved within the thoughts.