Pep Guardiola has identified several areas in his team to reinforce for the upcoming season, full-backs being one of the foremost among them. Dani Alves’ move to join PSG over City has left him fuming as the addition of the 34-year-old Brazilian, familiar with the Catalan’s ideas, would have considerably strengthened his team.
The former Barcelona and PSG defender in the fag end of his career has understandably chosen Ligue 1 over the comparatively more physical English League. The lure of living in Paris and a considerably higher wage than what was on offer at City must have also factored in his decision to join PSG.
Guardiola who is known for his preference of playing inverted full-backs has to go back to the drawing board in the wake of this setback and identify alternatives that can fulfil this role.
Tottenham’s Kyle Walker is reportedly a target and has been subject to inquiry by The Citizens. Daniel Levy’s £50m valuation of the player had deterred City to an extent, but with Alves joining PSG, the move could be fast-tracked and by the time City’s preseason tour kicks off by next week, Walker could be turning out for Guardiola.
Guardiola was thwarted in his attempts at luring Hector Bellerin away from Arsenal, as the Spain under-21 player opted instead to extend his Arsenal contract. In the wake of City releasing the ageing duo of Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna, The Sky Blues could consider the 24-year-old Sergio Aurier.
His off-field antics and sub-par displays have seen the Ivorian fall down the pecking order, with Thomas Meunier preferred ahead of him. But nobody doubts his abilities. Boasting superior passing and dribbling skills, Aurier has drawn comparisons with Dani Alves and under the right management could go on to be a fine prospect for City for years to come. Jose Mourinho is also reportedly interested in securing the services of the player as cover for Antonio Valencia, who has been supremely good for United at right-back last season.
Another player who is said to be in the mould of Bellerin, that City could look into would be Valencia’s Joao Cancelo. A natural right-back, the 23-year-old Portuguese can put in a shift as a wide player in midfield as well. Seen as an upgrade over Sergi Roberto at Barcelona, he could go on to succeed the Spaniard sooner rather than later with reports doing the rounds that Valverde, the incoming Barcelona manager, is interested in Cancelo.
The full-back’s ability to intercept and start counter attacks from the back would give City an edge at transitioning from defence to going on the offensive, a quality that they lacked during last season.
With Kyle Walker all but set to join The Citizens, it remains to be seen whether the blue half of Manchester zeroes in on any other prospects given that none of these players would come cheap in an inflated market.
