Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Aymeric Laporte will be out for up to six months with a knee injury (via talkSPORT). In a pre-match press conference ahead of the Citizens’ trip to Norwich City tomorrow, Guardiola shed some light on the extent of Laporte’s injury and said (via talkSPORT), “It will be long – five or six months, January or February maybe – next year for sure.”
This recent development will be a hammer blow for the champions of England as they will be without one of their best defenders for more than half of this campaign. Man City are expected to go through another gruelling season as they look to challenge in four different competitions this term.
With Laporte out for up to six months, here are three replacements for the Citizens to consider when the transfer window reopens in January.
Kalidou Koulibaly
The Napoli defender is highly rated in Italian football as he is a powerhouse in defence and can command his own box with authority and conviction. The Senegalese centre-back has been a rock at the back for Carlo Ancelloti’s side and is also renowned for his ability to play the ball out from defence.
Koulibaly will be a brilliant fit for Man City as he could help them win the UEFA Champions League in the coming years. However, Guardiola would have to break the bank if he decided to bring the Serie A star to the Etihad Stadium.
Tyrone Mings
Mings has made an impressive start to this Premier League campaign and has shown a lot of composure when in possession of the ball for Aston Villa. The English talent will be an ideal short-term fix as he could fill in until Laporte can make a full recovery from his knee injury.
Furthermore, the Villans centre-half is currently playing the best football of his playing career. Therefore, Guardiola would be getting a player at the top of his game if he considers making a move for him in January.
Nathan Ake
The Dutch defensive ace has been one of the most important members of Eddie Howe’s squad at Bournemouth since joining from Chelsea in the summer of 2017. Ake has been a dominating presence at the heart of the Cherries’ backline and has scored some vital goals for his side from dead-ball situations.
The 24-year-old was one of the best centre-backs in the English top-flight last season when he made an average of 1.7 tackles, 0.8 interceptions and 6.1 clearances per game for Howe’s side (stats via whoscored). Ake has the potential to succeed at the highest level, so Guardiola should think about recruiting him during the winter transfer period.
