Jamie Carragher has stated that a certain player Manchester City have been linked with dribbles in a way not many players can.
Since last summer, it seems like City have targeted players who can carry the ball and perhaps at the end of the season, they might look to add more who can.
For instance, Jeremy Doku might have a case for being the best dribbler in the Premier League, capable of taking on any full-back in the division and ripping him to shreds on his day.
Considering a wing duo of Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish, two quite reserved players out wide were crucial in City’s Champions League-winning campaign, it was a surprise to see the club sign the Belgian.
However, at top clubs, the recruitment strategy often changes direction as managers do not wish to be found out.
Similarly, Mateo Kovacic, much like Jeremy Doku is also brilliant at darting past players but in a very different manner.
Doku beats players out wide while Kovacic does so in central positions, being a midfielder and not as much using his quick feet or pace.
Carragher says player linked with Manchester City is one of the best dribblers in the world
Instead, City’s number eight uses his ability to turn past players and drive at defences using his running power to turn defence into attack.
The same can be said about Matheus Nunes, who stunned Ian Wright with how quick he was during his side’s 3-1 win against Burnley.
Josko Gvardiol might not be able to go past players like the aforementioned players, but as far as defenders go, there are not many who can carry the ball like he does, barring natural full-backs like Alphonso Davies, Andy Robertson and Achraf Hakimi.
As a result, Gvardiol does seem like an awkward fit at left-back.
Only time will tell whether the treble-winners stick to this philosophy of recruiting players in the summer.
But a link to a certain wonderkid suggests that may be the case.
The player in question is Manchester City-linked technician Jamal Musiala, whose dribbling was raved about by Jamie Carragher during Bayern Munich’s 2-2 draw against Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.
“Love watching Jamal Musiala, very few players in world football can dribble past opponents like he does”, he wrote on X.
In April, it was claimed that City are one of the many clubs interested in signing Musiala, who is believed to be “frustrated” at Bayern.
It was also claimed in March that the 21-year-old had no interest in penning a new contract beyond 2026, which meant the Sky Blues were becoming increasingly confident about getting a deal done for him.
However, less than two weeks ago, it was reported that the German international is not on sale this summer.
The Bayern superstar could help City break low blocks
As Jamie Carragher stated, Manchester City-linked attacker Jamal Musiala is an outstanding dribbler.
Against Real Madrid, the youngster’s close control and speed with which he dribbled bamboozled the visitors at the Allianz Arena.
Eventually, the decorated midfielder won the penalty for Bayern’s second goal, which was converted by Harry Kane.
If Manchester City do sign Jamal Musiala, especially due to his dribbling ability, as emphasised by Jamie Carragher, he could help them break low blocks more effectively.
As City face low blocks week in and week out, Musiala’s ability to ghost past players for fun would have two advantages.
One, is that the English giants could destroy a settled midfield structure due to the Chelsea academy graduate’s sumptuous dribbling.
Two, it could create space for the other City teammates when the attention is on Musiala and the danger he possesses when running with the ball at his feet.
Whether the signing takes place remains unknown but one of the perks of bringing him to the Etihad Stadium would be for this very reason.
