Live

Highlights on Off The Ball

07:00 AM-01:00 PM

Highlights on Off The Ball
Advertisement

Sport

'Manchester City's squad isn't as good as you think it is' - Brian Kerr

Brian Kerr believes Manchester City still have areas of their squad that need to be addressed, despite winning the Premier League.



Manchester City are Premier League champions, but they're not far and away according to Brian Kerr.

For a long time it looked like Manchester City were going to lose.

Aston Villa went 2-0 up. They were leading after 70 minutes. But then Manchester City showed their class in six minutes. They scored three goals, with Ilkay Gundogan coming off the bench to score twice. Gundogan, Raheem Sterling and Oleksandr Zinchenko came off the bench to turn the game around.

It was a testament to the intelligence of Pep Guardiola and the depth of the Manchester City squad. As well as the limitations of the Aston Villa squad.

City are Premier League champions. They won the biggest trophy of the season. But that's all they've won. Liverpool won both domestic cups and will play in the Champions League final next week. That's why Brian Kerr thinks the Manchester City squad is a little bit overrated.

"Liverpool proved this year that they've got a squad to match Manchester City's," Kerr said.

"Manchester City's squad was found out a couple of times. We saw that last week at West Ham when they drew and the defence looked a bit weak on the right-hand side. Fernandinho today in the first half didn't play well. They don't trust Ake. He's a £40 million player, so maybe their squad isn't as deep as we've always thought."

Nathan Ake barely plays. He may not even be in the squad next season. Selling him will allow Manchester City to make more signings and improve their squad again. Erling Haaland is already en route so one signing is already in the books. He's a superstar talent who fills a desperate need in the squad.

If Liverpool are going to keep pace with City, they will have to look towards their younger players moving into the start of next season.

"They've signed Haaland. I'm sure they'll sign more players this year. Liverpool have made some very good signings but they're also pulling players through the academy. The likes of Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott. He looked brilliant during the week.

"Manchester City have those players as well but they've not brought as many through as Liverpool have.

"Both of them we expect to strengthen again this year."

Manchester United and Barcelona are interested in a Frenkie De Jong deal.

 

Football on Off The Ball brought to you by Sky. All the football you love in one place across Sky Sports, BT Sport & Premier Sports.

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.


Read more about

Brian Kerr Curtis Jones Erling Haaland Fernandinho Harvey Elliott Liverpool Manchester City Nathan Ake Pep Guardiola