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Former Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry has encouraged Kylian Mbappe to experience the Premier League before his career winds down. Barry believes the French superstar should make the move to Manchester City to ensure he does not follow Lionel Messi in never playing in England’s top division.

The Premier League challenge

Mbappe has been linked with several of the world’s elite clubs over the years, but Barry feels it would be unfortunate if the forward never showcased his talent in the Premier League. According to him, England’s top flight remains the ultimate proving ground for football’s finest, pointing out that even some of the sport’s greatest names never made the move across the channel.

Speaking to Lyllo Casino about the idea, Barry remarked: “It’s disappointing when world-class players like Mbappe haven’t played in the Premier League. We would have loved to see Messi here, but that won’t happen now. We don’t want Mbappe’s career to end without him testing himself in the toughest league in the world.” The French forward is currently displaying his brilliance on the international stage, having recently scored a composed penalty that helped France secure a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

City at the forefront

Should Mbappe decide to move to England, Barry believes there is only one club truly positioned to make such a landmark signing. With their financial strength and continued success, Manchester City are, in his view, the natural contenders for a player of Mbappe’s calibre – particularly as they aim to remain at the summit of European football.

“Manchester City are always ready to sign the best players in the world. If Mbappe wants to try the Premier League, I’m sure City will be leading the race. I’d love to see him in a City jersey,” Barry added.

The debate around Mbappe’s standing among football’s greats continues to grow, with pundits like Jamie Carragher suggesting that his outstanding World Cup performances could see him surpass the likes of Harry Kane in the race for the Ballon d’Or.

The search for Rodri’s successor

While the possibility of signing Mbappe remains a dream for many City fans, the club has been active in strengthening its squad for the immediate future. The Premier League champions recently confirmed that Manchester City and Nottingham Forest have reached an agreement for the transfer of 23-year-old midfielder Elliot Anderson. The former Forest player, who is currently representing England at the World Cup, has already undergone his medical overseas.

Barry believes Anderson has the qualities to eventually take up an important role at the Etihad, even hinting that he could be a long-term replacement for Rodri. “If Rodri stays, Elliot Anderson would be an interesting addition,” Barry admitted. “They share similar traits – both excel off the ball, press effectively, break up play, and initiate attacks. If Rodri ever leaves, replacing him will be difficult, but Anderson has the potential to fill that void.”

Pressure of a high-profile move

The transfer marks a major step up for Anderson, who impressed during his spell at the City Ground. With a significant transfer fee involved, all eyes will be on the young Englishman to see how he adapts to Enzo Maresca’s demanding tactical approach. However, Barry is confident that Anderson’s composure and mentality will allow him to thrive despite the pressure of joining a team filled with world-class players.

“Moving to Manchester City could elevate his game even further,” Barry explained. “Rodri has been performing at the top level for years, so Elliot will need to raise his own performance to fully take over that role. The transfer fee adds some pressure, but that’s beyond his control. Once he’s on the pitch, Anderson won’t be thinking about being a £100 million player – he’ll just focus on playing the same way he did at Nottingham Forest. He seems very grounded, so I don’t think it will trouble him much.”