Manchester City are known to be ruthless and quite strict about the kind of quality that is acceptable for the club. Understandably, Pep Guardiola’s standards remain extremely high and they must always be adhered to. The success that Manchester City has enjoyed recently is exactly a result of this strictness.
While most professional footballers are talented and possess a great amount of skill, only the very best can thrive and survive at Man City. To play for the current Premier League champions, it is truly a tall task for just about anyone to convince Guardiola with their skill.
Similarly for Yan Couto, the Manchester City fullback who recently returned from his loan at La Liga side Girona, will not be playing his football next season in England. Instead, as officially confirmed by BVB, the 22-year-old Brazilian fullback will be joining German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund this summer on loan.
Knowing that he is a talented player but also one who will likely not get a lot of opportunities this season, it is hardly surprising that this decision has been made. Ultimately, it even feels like the most appropriate decision for now given that Couto’s ceiling is unknown even now.
However, as highlighted by Ben Jacobs, this could all change if he ends up meeting some sporting targets set in stone between Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund.
In the event that the player manages to hit and complete those targets, a mandatory purchase clause worth €30 million will be put into effect and the German side will have no option but to permanently purchase the fullback.
These performance-related objectives will be the real sealing factor at the end of the season. Until then, he remains a player of Manchester City who will simply play one season on loan within Germany.
His campaign with Girona last season under Michel’s tutelage showed a great South American talent in the making, but this next season could be even more important in his development as a professional player.
