Credit: talkSPORT YouTube / Imago
Credit: talkSPORT YouTube / Imago

Dean Saunders must be joking with who he thinks Man City should sign ahead of Arsenal

Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Man City have quickly caught up with Arsenal as the Premier League title race heats up just halfway through the 2025-26 campaign.

Arsenal remain favourites to win the title, with Mikel Arteta's side still two points ahead after 18 games, and Aston Villa have emerged as outside contenders, really, out of nowhere.

Man City beat West Ham 3-0 to record their seventh-straight victory across all competitions, with the potential to take top spot on Saturday, 27 December.

Pep Guardiola is still without Rodri, Jeremy Doku, and Mateo Kovacic, with Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri jetting out to AFCON as well, but the Citizens remain in good spirits around the Christmas period.

Rodri in action for Man City
Rodri is edging closer to a return from injury. (Credit: Imago)

Pep Guardiola has no need for N'Golo Kante

In Rodri's absence, Nico Gonzalez has thrived under Guardiola's rule, seeing him quickly become one of the first names on the teamsheet, even if he is friendly with a yellow-card offence.

He has stepped up immensely, something which many supporters were not expecting from him after a struggling first few months at the club, but he has certainly turned his career around in recent weeks.

That is the main reason that Dean Saunders is completely out of his mind, sharing his wacky ideas ahead of the January transfer window. I'm sure many City supporters will agree.

N'Golo Kante is being linked with a Premier League return. (Credit: Getty Images)
N'Golo Kante is being linked with a Premier League return. (Credit: Getty Images)

Speaking on talkSPORT (26 December), Saunders said: "This could be the signing of the season. This is a big statement. I think Kante is available. He could play in the middle of midfield for Man City.

"One-year contract, sign him for a year, just in case his legs have gone. But you don't have to run that much in that position. He would fit into any team in the Premier League, right now. I mean, Arsenal don't need him, I suppose."

Man City must strengthen in the final third to win the Premier League title

If City are to invest anywhere in the squad next month, it should be in the forward line, given that the team are totally reliant on Erling Haaland scoring each game, hence the interest in Antoine Semenyo.

Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki have stepped up recently, but with the Norwegian striker 12 goals ahead of anyone else in the squad, there is a huge disparity, which could be addressed next month.

Signing Kante would not solve that issue. While he is clearly a top player, he is just not somebody that Guardiola would be able to use properly, and therefore, would be a waste of a signing.

Rodri is set to return from injury soon, and with Gonzalez likely to keep him out of the starting lineup, the manager will have more than enough options in the centre of the park to claim the Premier League title.

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