Not to mention the two he desired, Enzo Maresca was left without even one new midfield player in January. Although Stefano Sensi was the top target and the player City was extremely close to signing, if Maresca had his way and money concerns had not had to be taken into account, Stefano Sensi would have been joined by a more physically commanding addition.
The starting lineup for every game but one throughout the first half of the season was Wilfred Ndidi or Cesare Casadei. When Ndidi got hurt in January and Casadei returned to Chelsea, Maresca had a void to fill.
Maresca lamented that he lacked a “different kind of player” to come off the bench and help City finish the game when they drew with Ipswich at home.Later on, he explained that he meant someone who was more physically inclined.
Ndidi might not return until April, so Maresca will have to make due. Dennis Praet has been given more opportunities than Yunus Akgun or Kasey McAteer, but Praet appears to be the favorite right now. Maresca acknowledges that Praet has a little bit more physicality than his competitors. The efficiency of the Belgian has also been increasing.
However, City does have a physical midfield player on their roster who is in good shape and consistently performs well. He’s merely playing for Sevilla on loan.
Yes, Boubakary Soumare is currently a regular in La Liga. In October, during a tie against Real Madrid, the City midfielder made his first of 14 starts in the starting lineup during their previous 17 games.
With Soumare’s current level of consistency and excellence in his performances, talk is circulating in Spain about Sevilla trying to balance their budget so they can afford to sign him permanently in the summer.Spanish media claim that the club is “delighted” with the way he is performing.
However, considering his build, City might think twice before sending him back to Spain. Naturally, everything depends on two things: first, that City gets promoted; and second, that Soumare wants to stay, which he might not after playing so many games for Sevilla. But Maresca might do it too if he’s prepared to give it a shot.
It’s not that Soumare is performing at the level that Maresca would like him to right now. The Frenchman is positioned at the base of the midfield for Sevilla. From there, his passing and ball-carrying growth figures are impressive.
In order to lengthen the pitch, Maresca would need him to provide more attacking ability higher up the field, flashes of quickness in confined spaces, a willingness to enter the box and challenge crosses, and the tactical acumen to make opportune runs past the striker.
Leave a Reply