MANCHESTER CITY have turned down the chance to re-sign 2012 title hero Edin Dzeko to boost their depleted striking options.
That’s because boss Pep Guardiola is convinced he has the firepower to win them more silverware – despite the lack of goals from his two main forwards so far.
Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus have managed just two between them with half of City’s Premier League campaign now gone.
Bosnian forward Dzeko, 34, is looking to leave Roma this month and his former club were alerted to his availability.
He left the Etihad five-and-a-half years ago but City fans retain fond memories of his big contribution to two Premier League titles.
But Guardiola said: “He’s a Roma player and I will never discuss this kind of situation.
“My feeling is that we will finish the season with everyone that we started the season with, except maybe one player that everyone knows may be moving (Eric Garcia).
“I don’t think anything else will happen. We will see in the final few days.”
City’s goals have started to flow recently – with 17 different players finding the net across the four competitions this season.
But the new leaders have had little from their strikers this term.
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Aguero is coming to the end of a three week period of isolation and his last league goal was now over a year ago – against today’s opponents Sheffield United.
Meanwhile Jesus – who has also had a spell out due to Covid – has not found the net since November in the top flight.
Pep said: *“*Our goal difference is the best in the league right now. If our game is good, we will score goals. if our game is not good, we will not score goals.
“I never put pressure on Sergio and Gabriel to solve all the problems we have up front.
“The reason why we score goals and win games is because our games itself is better, nothing more secret.”
With his forwards struggling for form and fitness, Guardiola has gone into several matches with one of his midfielders playing as a ‘false nine’.
He does, however, admit that he likes to have the option of a central striker – although that looks unlikely to be Dzeko.
The City boss added: “There are games I need a striker and other games I prefer to play without a proper one.
“But whether you play with a striker or not you have to have six or seven players arrive to the box. It is another way to read the game.
“Sometimes I need one, sometimes two, sometimes I need a striker to drop to play with the midfield players – it depend on the opponents and the skills of my players.
“It is what i feel. Some games i need it, some games I don’t.”
Guardiola will hope the goals continue to come against the Blades, who are fresh from their shock win across town at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
City have beaten Chris Wilder’s team three times since they were promoted but each time they have found it difficult to break them down.
Pep said: “It is always uncomfortable to us, that system, the 5-3-2, it is is difficult to attack. That is why I’m a little bit concerned today about this game.”
Meanwhile Guardiola has no plans to move for his former defender David Alaba – who is poised to leave Bayern Munich on a free transfer this summer.
They are among several clubs reported to be interested in the Austrian international but City sources say they will not be pursuing him.
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