맨체스터 시티가 월드컵에서 영입을 고려할 만한 진정한 공격 옵션이 등장하고 있는가?

Is a bonafide attacking option for Manchester City to pursue emerging at the World Cup?

Manchester City are in need of one winger to round out their squad. It would seem that Jeremy Doku and Antoine Semenyo are City’s first-choice options for the left and right wing. Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden can also play on the wings if necessary, and Savinho seems destined to depart City this summer. There is an argument to be made that the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders should sign a proven winger such as PSG star Bradley Barcola to add proven quality to their squad. However, there is another PSG attacker who is shining at the World Cup. That is Senegalese winger Ibrahim Mbaye. Mbaye looks to be a player that Manchester City could bring in to add quality to their attack.

Ibrahim Mbaye has stood out for Senegal at the World Cup.

Senegal have lost their first two Group I games at the World Cup. They lost their opening game 3-1 to France and followed that with a 3-2 defeat to Norway overnight. Unfortunately, Senegal ran into Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City star Erling Haaland. However, there has been one real bright spot for Senegal. That is the displays off the bench of young PSG winger Ibrahim Mbaye. Mbaye scored a cracking goal against France and he was even better against Norway.

Senegal fell behind 3-1 to Norway after Erling Haaland scored his second goal of the game in the 58th minute overnight. At that point, their manager threw caution to the wind as his team desperately needed to find two goals. Ibrahim Mbaye played the final 36 minutes of the match. He made a profound impact while on the pitch. Mbaye always looked like making something happen. He created two chances, carried the ball eleven times and his pace and directness troubled the Norwegian backline. Unfortunately for Senegal, Mbaye came on the pitch too late to swing the game. However, he once again showed his quality once he did come on against Norway.

Manchester City have been credited with an interest in Ibrahim Mbaye before and he could slot into their squad.

It is expected that Manchester City will look to add another winger to their squad this summer. Ibrahim Mbaye is a player they have been linked to in the past. L’Equipe reported back in April that Mbaye toured City’s facilities. Although, Mbaye’s entourage have denied that this meeting took place. So it would seem that City do have an interest in signing Mbaye from PSG.

Ibrahim Mbaye is only 18 years of age and his ability to play on either wing or centrally would appeal to Manchester City. As would his electric pace and ability to beat a defender in one-on-one situations. Having grown up in the PSG system, Mbaye has a good understanding of how to play in a possession-based team. Also, Mbaye’s off the ball movement would give City a different look on the wings.

However, there are two factors that stand in the way of Manchester City making a move for Mbaye. First, he is contracted until 2028 with PSG. Although Mbaye has fallen down the pecking order at the European champions, it isn’t clear if they’d sell the Senegalese international. Also, would Manchester City want another winger who would be classed as a project? Savinho was this and he seems destined to leave City. Mbaye looks to have elements to his game such as his end product that are ahead of Savinho’s. Would City be eager to add another promising winger to their squad? That isn’t immediately clear.

Ibrahim Mbaye has caught the eye at the World Cup. He has made two impactful appearances off the bench for Senegal. In those appearances, he has shown that he is one of the brightest young attacking prospects in football. Manchester City have been credited with an interest in Mbaye before. So perhaps he is a player that City could move for this summer to add something different to their squad in the final third. Based on his World Cup form, Mbaye is capable of doing exactly this for the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders.