Manchester City are reported to want Gonzalo Higuain- and City would surely rather offer Dzeko in part-exchange than star man Sergio Aguero.
I have been wondering for a couple of weeks now if Edin Dzeko’s future at Manchester City is assured, despite him commenting in January that he was enjoying life in Manchester.
He may be adjusting off the pitch, but on it he is spending more time on the bench than on the pitch lately.
Mario Balotelli is preferred up front, along with Argentine Sergio Aguero.
Former Wolfsburg man Dzeko started the season as first choice striker, and was in great form, but as he has dropped down the pecking order, his confidence has dipped.
So when he was given the opportunity to start for City against Sporting Lisbon on Thursday he turned in an ineffective performance reminiscent of when he first joined the club last year.
It seemed that he was finally settling, but manager Roberto Mancini has made it clear that he is third choice striker now, failing to start him in the league since January, and with Carlos Tevez to come back, his opportunities could be even more limited.
Next season at least- Carlos Tevez should have finally moved on- but his place in City’s attack is likely to be taken up by teenage prospect John Guidetti, who has scored 18 goals in 16 games on loan at Feyenoord this season.
Guidetti looks like a younger, more mobile Dzeko, and the Bosnian may again find himself spending time on the bench.
City have been linked with signing Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain on a number of occasions, and even Robin van Persie, but they could surely only fit into City’s attack if one of Balotelli, Aguero or Dzeko are sold.
Madrid would love Aguero, but City will not sell, and Roberto Mancini has made clear of late that Edin Dzeko is the odd one out.
Dzeko has scored 17 goals for City this season, and his contribution has been invaluable, but this summer will be a test of how committed he is to the City cause, and how commited Manchester City are to keeping him.
Much could depend on whether the Bosnian can force his way back into City’s starting line-up between now and the end of the season, and sway the title race in the club’s favour.
If City fail to win the title, the club’s hierarchy will be more inclined to change personnel around than if they are successful.
The Sunday Mirror have now reported that Dzeko is fighting for his future, with AC Milan, Inter, and Juventus all interested in a summer move.
What do you think, will Dzeko be a City player next season?
image: © funnky1opti
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