Manchester City host Stoke City in the Premier League this evening (8pm kick-off) hoping to cut the gap between themselves and leaders Chelsea to eight points.

Pep Guardiola’s side have won their last four league matches, the latest of which a 2-0 victory over bottom side Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

That result moved the Citizens back up to third in the table, although Chelsea’s 2-1 success at West Ham on Monday re-opened the gap to 11 points between the league leaders and Guardiola’s men.

However, the Manchester club have the chance to make up some ground on the Blues, and although they remain in the FA Cup and Champions League, speculation has already built about who Guardiola may look to sign in the summer.

And one name that has cropped up is Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere, who is currently on loan at fellow Premier League outfit Bournemouth.

The England international has struggled with injury over the last few years but appears to be building up his fitness at the Vitality Stadium, having appeared 21 times for Eddie Howe’s side this term.

The 25-year-old clearly possesses the sort of quality Guardiola may look for in the transfer window, so here are THREE reasons why Wilshere would be a perfect acquisition for City this summer…

Guardiola wants English players

Guardiola admitted earlier in the week that he would like more English players in his Man City side, with Raheem Sterling and John Stones the only Englishman consistently in the matchday squad.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager commented on the Spanish contingent at the Nou Camp and German contingent at the Allianz Arena as important to his success at the two clubs, where he won a combined six league titles and two Champions League crowns.

And, obviously, Wilshere would fit the bill.

The on loan Arsenal man has proven to be one of England’s most technically gifted players, and one many feel can be the main man in the England midfield for years to come.

Clearly, Guardiola would back the 25-year-old, and playing regularly for a top side like City, playing the way Wilshere wants to play, can only benefit both him and the club in the long run.

Knows the league

Guardiola also commented on how well English players know the Premier League, and that’s certainly experience Wilshere can call upon in his career to date.

The midfielder has played over 100 times for Arsenal in English football’s top-flight, and alongside dded onto his 21 games for Bournemouth this term, that’s a decent amount of experience for Guardiola to utilise and indeed learn from himself should Wilshere move to the Etihad.

In a league as competitive and as difficult as the Premier League, any slight advantage could be the difference, and having someone like Wilshere, who knows the league, the demands of it, and the pressures that goes with it, would be invaluable for Guardiola and City.

Fits in with style of play

Jack Wilshere was part of the Arsenal team that beat Guardiola’s Barcelona 2-1 in the Champions League back in 2011, and he was the star performer in a great team display from Arsene Wenger’s side.

And it appears that the English midfielder won many plaudits from the opposition that day, with Barca man Xavi full of praise for the 25-year-old, who also reportedly seriously impressed Guardiola.

And, given the way that Wilshere plays the game, with his excellent ball retention under pressure, incredible range of passing, his desire to take players on and get forward, and fine vision, Guardiola is likely going to want him patrolling his midfield.

Wilshere would slot straight into a Guardiola side, and would almost certainly become a better player for it – it’s a move that would probably make City better as well.