The perfect transfer: Why Omar Marmoush is needed by Manchester City
Luis Torres
Dailysports's expert
It is rare to see a club of Manchester City's level being very active in the transfer market in the winter. But the personnel situation in the club and sporting results leave the management of the “Citizens” no choice.
First and foremost, Man City has taken on the task of strengthening the center of defense, with Uzbek talent Abdukodir Hasanov arriving from Lens. In July, 18-year-old center-back Vitor Reis will also join from Palmeiras. But Dailysports decided to focus on another transfer. According to Fabrizio Romano, Man City has already agreed on the transfer of Omer Marmoush from Eintracht. Why does Pep Guardiola need the Egyptian forward? Let's explain in detail.
Omar Marmoush is tearing up the Bundesliga this season
Let’s start with what Omar Marmoush has already done in the 2024/25 season. If not for the absolutely anomalous performances of Mohamed Salah, Marmoush could well be called the best African player this season.
In 26 games this season across all competitions, Marmoush has scored 20 goals and provided 14 assists. Essentially, the actions of the 25-year-old Wadi Degla academy graduate allow Eintracht to hold onto third place. Losing him could be fatal for Eintracht.
It is worth noting that Marmoush was very productive last season as well, scoring 12 goals and providing 6 assists in 29 Bundesliga games. But as it turned out, this was only a teaser for an even more epic performance.
And how Wolfsburg must now be biting their nails after giving Marmoush little trust and letting him leave for Frankfurt as a free agent in the summer of 2023.
Marmoush is not a replacement for Julián Álvarez
Several times, concerns have been raised by Man City fans about Marmoush being brought in to replace Julián Álvarez, who left for Atlético Madrid in the summer. But this is far from the case.
The fact is, Marmoush is not naturally a central forward. He began as a left winger at Wolfsburg, and only at Eintracht was he moved closer to the center. But in Frankfurt, the roles of central strikers are performed by Hugo Ekitike and Igor Matanović. Marmoush essentially complements one of them.
And it is precisely this type of player that Man City lacks this season. Discussions about Guardiola’s defensive issues can go on endlessly, but the attacking situation is no better. The team’s main star, Erling Haaland, is often isolated from his teammates in most matches. This is primarily due to the injury problems of Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden's dip in form.
It is absolutely clear that Marmoush is needed by Man City right now not as a striker. The Egyptian will be tasked with solving problems related to ball progression on the opponent's half and drawing defenders' attention away from Haaland. Potentially, the partnership between the Egyptian and the Norwegian looks extremely promising.
However, if Haaland gets injured or becomes unavailable for any other reason, Marmoush is quite capable of replacing him. Currently, Guardiola has only Oscar Bobb as another option for this position. Marmoush will be an additional choice.
Marmoush is a set-piece master
If the team struggles in open play, set pieces can often decide the outcome of a match. And this season, Marmoush’s free kicks have become a formidable weapon.
To date, Marmoush has scored three direct free-kick goals this season. This is the best result among all players in the top leagues.
At Manchester City, they are well aware that Kevin De Bruyne is spending his final six months at the club. After the Belgian’s departure, Marmoush will have every chance to become the team’s main free-kick taker.
What are the risks?
Of course, there is always a risk that betting on a particular player might not work out. And Marmoush is no exception.
Fans are concerned about the precedents of major outgoing transfers from Eintracht. Players like Luka Jović, Randal Kolo Muani, and Sébastien Haller all failed to replicate their Eintracht form in top leagues after leaving the club.
Each case has its own reasons for failure, but it has made some experts cautious about big-money transfers involving Eintracht forwards.
Additionally, it’s important to understand that at Eintracht, Marmoush has become the main star around whom the entire team plays. The coaching staff has given him absolute freedom on the pitch, as evidenced by his stats. This season, Marmoush has attempted 71 shots on goal—the most in the Bundesliga.
The football philosophy of Pep Guardiola is fundamentally different from what Marmoush is accustomed to at Eintracht. At City, the team will have much more possession, fewer counterattacks, and space on the opponent’s half will need to be carved out. Adapting to this new style could take some time.
Moreover, comparisons with Mohamed Salah could create additional pressure for Marmoush. Both players hail from the same country, and Salah is a key figure for the best Premier League team this season. This will inevitably place Marmoush under scrutiny.
Conclusion
Omar Marmoush appears to be the ideal attacking reinforcement for Manchester City this season. However, his success will depend on how well he adapts to the team’s style of play and handles external pressure. If he manages these challenges, Marmoush could become a vital part of Guardiola’s plans.
