When Viana sits down this summer with his Rolodex of midfield magicians and a strong espresso (or maybe something stronger), one question will bounce off the Etihad boardroom walls louder than a Jack Grealish backheel: can Manchester City’s current crop keep dancing every three days?
Mateo Kovacic — gliding across Wembley’s stage on Sunday like Fred Astaire in Adidas boots — gave a performance that would make even David Silva blush. But as Viana and Txiki Begiristain know too well, form is fleeting; fixtures aren’t. Kovacic was superb, sure. But can he, Bernardo Silva, and their midfield mates handle the grind next season when the Champions League, Premier League and probably some invented Cup of Cups all collide again?
Viana’s balancing act: quality or quantity?
Here’s where Viana earns his supper. With Kevin De Bruyne’s exit (a mic drop of epic proportions), reinforcements are inevitable. But do you stockpile midfielders like they’re limited-edition Panini stickers? Or trust that the likes of Kovacic and Bernardo can sprint, shimmy, and survive with fewer breathers than a pub quiz host?
Viana knows robustness wins titles
Let’s be blunt: Pep Guardiola rotates more often than a roulette wheel, but even he needs players who can play Sunday-Wednesday-Saturday without phoning their physio mid-match. If Viana gambles on elegance over endurance, Liverpool might just waltz away with the Premier League crown again.
What He decides will shape City’s season
The blueprint is clear. Find midfielders who can dazzle and endure. Find them fast. Otherwise, next season’s script might read less like “City dominance” and more like “City fatigue — featuring cramps and crossed fingers.”
Viana’s task isn’t impossible. But it will require guile, graft and perhaps a crystal ball. The Etihad’s next era hinges squarely on his summer masterstroke, not luck alone. A few shrewd signings could mean trophies instead of tired legs.
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