Recent reports have linked Manchester City with Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz and if he were to join the Citizens, he could potentially be the club’s next David Silva.
According to reports from Italy (via Sport Witness), the Citizens have ‘never stopped following’ the Spanish midfielder and the summer could be the ideal time to make a move for him.
The report suggests that whilst the 24-year-old hasn’t enjoyed the best season will Napoli, Pep Guardiola has not forgotten about him, and the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid are also well aware of the potential he showed during his time with Real Betis.
City have been linked with the Spanish international in the past and after a difficult season under Gennaro Gattuso, perhaps the upcoming summer transfer window will see him move on from the Serie A side.
Ruiz joined Napoli from Betis in 2018 and has gone on to make 115 appearances for Gli Azzurri, in which he has contributed 13 goals and 10 assists.
Would Ruiz be a good signing for City?
Yes
No
Last season saw the midfielder average an impressive 7.03 rating for his performances in Serie A, as he managed three goals and six assists in 33 appearances but his performances this season have been far less impressive.
In 20 league appearances, he has managed just one goal and one assist, resulting in a 6.80 rating, although Napoli have struggled as a whole, as they currently sit sixth in the Serie A table.
Despite his indifferent club form, Ruiz continues to impress for his country, which suggests that he could drastically improve his form if he were to join a side better than Napoli.
WhoScored suggests that the 24-year-old’s main strengths are his passing and his through balls, which certainly suggests that he could fit in well in this City side, and potentially be a replacement for David Silva, who departed to join Real Sociedad last summer after a decade with the Citizens.
The 35-year-old’s strengths are described as his passing, through balls and key passes, which suggests that the two share a lot of similarities, and with them both being Spanish, you would imagine that they have been instructed to play in a certain way when playing for the national side.
The Napoli man earned a lot of praise from Hoffenheim star Diadie Samassekou last year, as he said:
“It was incredibly difficult to defend against him because he is extremely agile and only ever needs two touches.”
Therefore, Ruiz could end up being the ideal man to replace Silva should he join City this summer, so Guardiola should encourage the club to bring in the £43.2 million-rated midfielder.
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