With Manchester City well off the pace in the Premier League this season and once again failing to impact the latter stages of the Champions League, many pundits are suggesting their ageing squad needs a shake up.

Despite being just a couple of weeks short of his 32nd birthday, star midfielder Yaya Toure is one member of the side who seems likely to be moved on as City look to freshen things up.

At his marauding best, the Ivorian is nigh-on irreplaceable but his form has dipped this campaign and a downturn in fortunes for his club is no coincidence.

Toure was a key reason that the Citizens claimed two league titles in three years but his relationship with the club is not what it once was and the box-to-box man could well be playing his trade in Italy come next season.

Finding a midfielder who can hit the heights he reached during the last campaign, where he netted 20 league goals, could be impossible and if City change managers in the summer, a new style of play could require a different type of replacement.

Nevertheless, here are three engine room components they should be looking at...

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Paul Pogba

The most imposing young midfielder available, Pogba is as close as it is possible to get to the Toure blueprint. Only in terms of goals does he fall short.

There are signs though that he can add this to his game and he has all but matched the Ivorian, albeit in a different league, this term.

Otherwise the 22-year-old fits the bill perfectly.

Powerful, strong, athletic and with control that belies his intimidating physique, the young Frenchman is sure to be a big hit in whichever league he ends up in next.

There is also the added bonus for City fans, that Pogba is a youth product of arch rivals United.

The main stumbling block will be current employers Juventus who do not need to sell their prize asset and would demand a huge fee. City are one of only a handful of clubs that could afford Pogba.

Jordan Henderson

This would certainly be a tricky one to pull off especially given that the player has signed a new deal as recently as last week.

Henderson looks set to be the future of Liverpool both as a captain and midfield dynamo.

It is just possible though, that City could turn his head with bumper wages and a guarantee of Champions League football, something his current side look unable to offer for next season at least.

Liverpool would be loathed to let such a crucial building block depart, especially to a Premier League rival, but if Henderson was identified as a target, they might not be able to reject the millions from down the road.

The 24-year-old has developed into a typical box-to-box midfielder who contributes in both attack and defence and his energy would revitalise City.

Henderson would be a perfect fit at City but his circumstances make him an ultimately unlikely signing.

Ross Barkley

A year ago Barkley was being strongly linked to the blue half of Manchester and most fans at the Etihad would have welcomed him as a potential heir to the Toure throne.

The problem currently is that the player’s development has stalled this season.

His coach Roberto Martinez has cited burnout as a possible reason, with the youngster featuring heavily for

Everton domestically and in Europe over the past couple of years and travelling to last summer’s World Cup.

Then there have been some injury problems which have hampered efforts to rediscover his best form.

Should he manage to find it though, there is little doubt that Barkley can be a Premiership superstar in the Toure mould.

The 21-year-old has both physical and technical qualities in abundance.

Pace, power, a passing range, ability to dribble past players and an eye for a spectacular goal are all in his locker. Would also represent a cheaper alternative to the likes of Pogba.