Manchester City are linked with a midfielder that fits Hugo Viana’s profile of signings

Manchester City are linked with a midfielder that fits Hugo Viana’s profile of signings

Ever since Hugo Viana replaced Txiki Begiristain as the director of football at Manchester City, Viana has been a shrewd operator in the transfer market. City have signed players like Marc Guehi, Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, and Gianluigi Donnarumma, who have immediately come in and played a role in Pep Guardiola’s squad. Outside of those signings, City have also signed young players like Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov, James Trafford, and Sverre Nypan. That group of players is young, with room to develop, and has their best football ahead of them.

There is a clear pattern emerging in Hugo Viana’s work. Manchester City will sign players who can immediately play a role in Pep Guardiola’s squad. First-team signings will be made this summer. City’s continued links to Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson speak to this. On top of that, City will also look to sign young players who can play a role in Pep Guardiola’s squad, while also learning and developing. A new report indicates that City are monitoring young Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Ibrahim Maza. Maza fits the profile of a young player who can play for City now, with an eye for a more prominent role in the City squad in the future.

Manchester City are reportedly closely monitoring Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Ibrahim Maza.

Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports in Germany has reported that Manchester City are keeping a close eye on Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Ibrahim Maza. Furthermore, Plettenberg reports that Ibrahim Maza has scored five goals and contributed six assists this season and his impressive form has caught Manchester City’s eye. Plettenberg adds that Bayer Leverkusen are determined to keep Maza at the club. It is also reported by Plettenberg that as of yet, there have been no contacts between City and Bayer Leverkusen over a potential summer move for Ibrahim Maza. Lastly, Plettenberg reports that Ibrahim Maza’s future is a story to watch for this summer.

Ibrahim Maza is a player who could fit into Manchester City’s squad and also has plenty of scope to further develop as a player.

On closer inspection, it is easy to see why Manchester City would be closely monitoring Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Ibrahim Maza. Everything about Maza screams “potential City player.” Ibrahim Maza can play as a number ten or as an advanced playmaker, as a number eight in midfield. Maza is a versatile midfielder, so he ticks that particular box immediately. Ibrahim Maza played exceptionally well in midfield as Bayer Leverkusen beat Manchester City 2-0 in the UEFA Champions League league phase earlier this season. He showed on that night what he is capable of as a player.

This season, Ibrahim Maza has made 38 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen in all competitions. He has scored five goals and added six assists. Ibrahim Maza has played as an attacking midfielder, a number eight and on both wings.

Ibrahim Maza stands at 180 centimetres tall, and he is a similar build to Bernardo Silva. Maza’s size does allow him to shine in tight spaces. Maza is a quick and nimble midfielder, blessed with quick feet, which allows him to play exceedingly well when the game becomes congested in midfield.

In possession, Ibrahim Maza shines. His close control is exceptional, which complements his physical attributes. Also, Ibrahim Maza has excellent technical ability, and his ability to progress the ball with his passing and dribbling catches the eye immediately. Everything Maza does in possession is done at speed and with class. He can create chances with dribbling or passing, and that skill does looks to be ideally made for a Pep Guardiola side. Maza can also get his shots off well, and as he matures, he should become a more pronounced goal threat. The chart below provides a glimpse of the strengths and weaknesses of Ibrahim Maza’s game when playing as a midfielder.

Ibrahim Maza has areas to improve as a player which is to be expected.

Of course, as Ibrahim Maza is only 20 years of age, he has massive scope for improvement. His decision-making in possession, while a standout feature of his play, should become more refined as he matures as a player. Physically, Ibrahim Maza still has room to mature, which is understandable given his age. While his positioning in midfield also catches the eye, that aspect of his play will improve as he further develops. All told, it is easy to see why Manchester City are keeping a close eye on Ibrahim Maza as a player.

Final thoughts.

As mentioned above, it is expected that Manchester City will target a ready-made midfielder like Elliot Anderson this summer. If, as expected, City move for two midfielders this summer, a move for a player like Ibrahim Maza does make sense. Maza is a player who can slot into the City squad now, as Abdukodir Khusanov did when he arrived at City from Lens. He can also follow in Khusanov’s footsteps and quickly become an important player for City if they do pursue a move for him this summer. Manchester City moving for Ibrahim Maza is a move that makes sense, and it does fit the model that Hugo Viana uses extremely well in the transfer market.