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The former defender of the Citizens doubts that getting the Barcelona superstar was ever an option, but the World Cup winner could be awarded by PSG in 2021
Lionel Messi was never “realistically a possibility for Manchester City,” says Danny Mills, but the former Citizens star feels Kylian Mbappé may be an option worth exploring in 2021.
The excitement around the Etihad Stadium began to build once it was revealed that the six-time Ballon d’Or winner wanted to leave Barcelona. Few teams in world football could afford to think about making an approach to the all-time greats, but City are part of an exclusive club when it comes to purchasing power.
Any hope they had of making a big shot was ended when Messi revealed to objective that he will stay there, and Mills doubts that an agreement has been reached.
He said Gentingbet: “I don’t think Messi was really a possibility to sign for Manchester City. If I had been on a free transfer then maybe there would have been a possibility, but without that it would always be very difficult.
“It is strange with Lionel Messi. In my opinion, he is the best player I have ever seen. It is absolutely sensational. When you see it live, it’s even better than when you see it on TV. But there is a case of where would Man City have fitted it?
“Of course he’s Messi so you fit him in no matter what, but how does he fit into the Manchester City system? Do you play instead of [Sergio] Agüero, do you play the role number 10 behind Agüero? Or do you play open instead of Raheem Sterling or whoever it is? Does it alter the balance of the team?
“So, yeah, everyone would love Messi, but actually, I don’t think there is a big difference in the way City play and the quality that they have.”
While questioning whether an Argentine icon can be cherished from Barca’s clutches, Mills feels that World Cup winner Mbappé may become a target for City as he reportedly begins to weigh his options on the Paris Saint-Germain.
“Mbappe would be an amazing signing for Manchester City, but they have to consider all the ramifications around financial fair play,” added Mills. “Besides, where does he fit in? Could it be number 9? Would Aguero’s replacement be if [Gabriel] Jesus does not step forward and becomes the player that Manchester City expects.
“The problem is that a week is a long time in football and a year is even more. Mbappé will have the Eurocup next summer and after this season, who knows who else will replace him.
“You also have to consider where Mbappé wants to go, if he wants to go to Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. One thing’s for sure, it’s so good that it will decide where it wants to go, no matter who wants it. “
Another former City star, fan favorite Shaun Goater, added on the prospect of seeing Mbappé in Manchester: “I’d say if a player is interested and makes signs or noises that he wants to move on, Kylian Mbappé goes into that. conversation of, the best players in the world, and still has a lot of promise, my initial thought would be why not?
“I think it’s more about the player’s personality, it’s about whether his personality fits and blends well with City and if City feels that way, I think they would probably give it a try.
“The interesting thing is because they know they can move on, and if it worked, then you have a player who can give his best for the next 10 years, because he is very young.
“It would be about fulfilling the first four or five year contract and then extending it beyond that, but he is an incredible talent and I am sure at least eight Premier League clubs will be interested in signing him.”
