Manchester City ‘GOT AWAY with not having a striker last season’ and ‘it’s not rocket science that they need Harry Kane’, blasts Graeme Souness after champions’ toothless defeat at Tottenham
Graeme Souness has insisted Manchester City have to sign a ‘proper centre forward’ if they are to retain their Premier League title and claimed they ‘got away’ with not having one last season.
City were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham in the opening game of their title defence, with long-term transfer target Harry Kane absent from the Spurs squad as Son Heung-min netted the winner.
City want to sign the £150million striker and Kane is desperate to join Pep Guardiola’s side. But Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has been adamant he will not allow the England captain to leave.
Graeme Souness has insisted Manchester City have to sign a ‘proper centre forward’
Pep Guardiola (left) wants to sign Spurs striker Harry Kane (right), who was left out of the squad on Sunday
Jack Grealish made his debut following his £100m record transfer from Aston Villa but he was unable to inspire his new side to victory and Souness believes City will have to go into the transfer market again.
‘I come back to it, City had 66 per cent of the ball, but I never felt like Spurs were hanging on,’ Souness told Sky Sports.
‘City need a goalscorer. It’s not rocket science, they’ve not been linked with Harry Kane for no reason. They need a proper centre forward who will get them 20 goals a season.
City were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham in the first game of their Premier League title defence
‘They got away with it last year. City are going to come up against this time and time again.
‘City have won three leagues in the last four years. They’ve got a great squad, they’ve got great belief. But when you’re relying on Gundogan, your midfield players, to get your goals you’re on a wing and a prayer.’
Micah Richards agreed that Guardiola’s side were lacking a clinical edge in front of goal but believes Grealish will find his rhythm once Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne return.
He added: ‘City were just missing that touch of class. They missed a potent killer in front of goal. I thought Ferran Torres did alright, but Spurs were excellent at times in nullifying the space.
‘There were more half-chances than actual chances. Grealish wasn’t at his best today, at times he had some really good link-up but you’ve got to give him time. City should be finishing the chances they get – if you don’t win, just don’t lose.
Son Heung-min scored the only goal of the game as Spurs won without their talisman
‘Jesus is a very good striker, but he’s not at the level of Kane or Aguero. Torres was good today, on another day he could have had a couple of goals. If City buy a striker, it has to be Kane, Haaland, that ilk.
‘Grealish is finding his groove. When you have the £100m tag, it’s going to stay with you forever. But once Foden and Kevin De Bruyne are back, he’ll get into the groove.’
Kane was left out of Tottenham’s squad after only returning to full senior training on Friday. It is understood that Kane was deemed as not yet ready to return to Premier League action.
Speaking of Kane’s absence before the game, new boss Nuno Espirito Santo told Sky Sports: ‘I think Harry needs to work. He worked today and he will keep on working until he can help the team.
Jack Grealish was unable to inspire his team to victory after his £100m move from Aston Villa
‘Players who have had not to many sessions need more work. It’s a different case for Bruan he was at the Olympics, the same for [Cristian] Romero.
‘It’s important for them to feel the stadium, the hotel, the team meetings feel the hotel. It’s all important.’
When further pressed on whether Kane would be on hand to watch the match from the stands, he replied: ‘He worked in the morning, I don’t know what he’s going to do.’
It is understood that City retain a confidence that a deal can yet still be achieved, and are poised to table an official £120million bid in the coming days.