You know what they say- “better late than never.” As transfer window deadline day drew near, Manchester City looked like their going to have a window that was overall more minus than plus. And then BOOM! they signed two players, during the final 24 hours of the summer transfer window, for almost £190 million. Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez moves over from Chelsea for £125 million, tying the record for most expensive British transfer fee ever (Alexander Isak, from Newcastle United to Liverpool, last summer). And Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye, a French born Senegal international, comes over for £65m.
Manchester City vs Coventry City
Kickoff: Sat. Sept 5, 3pm
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, UK
Man City Preview Material: Transfer Updates Team News
Premier League Standings, Form: Manchester City 1st, 6 pts WW Coventry City 17th, 0 pts, LL
Result Probability According to Google: Manchester City win 83% Draw 11% Coventry City 6%
Ndiaye was linked to Tottenham, and ready to make the switch until Richarlison threw a wrench into the whole plan. Ndiaye going to Spurs was contingent on Richarlison returning to Everton, and when that didn’t happen, the Ndiaye transfer got hijacked by City.
The 26-year-old explained why he joined City instead.
“It’s easy to make the decision about whether you want to be at Manchester City or not,” he said. “You can see the recent history; you want to be part of that project.
“They talked to me about where we could go, what we could achieve with me in the team, and I was interested from the beginning. There was nothing else that I wanted other than joining Manchester City.
“Obviously, you want to be part of this new project. I’ve seen recently what they’ve been doing, and I feel like I will fit right in it.”
As for Fernandez, his signing completes one of the longest, most protracted and overly tedious transfer sagas in recent memory. He commeted on how excited he is to move to The Etihad.
“Manchester City are the most successful club in England in recent times,” he said. “Every player wants to be part of a club like this because everyone knows how well-run City are.
“I could not be happier to be here, and I am ready for the challenge of helping City continue winning trophies. This is a club built for success. If you look across the squad, City have quality in every area.
“I want to learn from my new teammates and become a better player.”
Perhaps both will make their debuts in a City shirt on Saturday against Coventry.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, Ratings and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.