According to a recent report by the Daily Express, Manchester City have made Inter Milan centre-half Milan Skriniar their number one target for the January transfer window. The same source has also claimed that the Citizens are looking for an ideal replacement for Aymeric Laporte, who is facing a spell on the sidelines for a long time after suffering a knee injury before the international break.
The Daily Express has now stated that Man City boss Pep Guardiola wants to table another bid for Skriniar who could fill in as the centre-back in Laporte’s absence this season. The Mancunian outfit has currently got just Nicolas Otamendi as their only fit senior centre-back option with John Stones also sidelined due to a thigh injury.
Laporte’s Injury Has Increased The Need For The Citizens To Land Skriniar in January
Guardiola will have his work cut out for him after the international break as Man City are set to take on Norwich City and Shakhtar Donetsk in back to back away matches. The Spanish head coach will be sweating on the fitness of Stones and would hope that he can recover in time to feature in those games.
Laporte’s untimely injury has put the focus on Man City’s lack of depth in central defence. Therefore, Skriniar fits the bill perfectly as he will be able to add some depth to Guardiola’s squad, which will help the Citizens compete on all fronts in the second half of this campaign.
What Will The Slovakian Defensive Ace Add To Guardiola’s Side?
Skriniar is a competent defender inside his own half and can be a commanding presence at both ends of the field due to his aerial prowess. The Slovak international has also got good football IQ and is always willing to put his body on the line to help his teammates at the back.
The 24-year-old had a solid campaign in the previous term when he made 46 appearances for Luciano Spalletti’s team while creating two assists on all fronts. On the defensive end, the Serie A centre-half averaged 1.8 tackles, 0.8 interceptions and 3.8 clearances per match in the league last season (Stats via whoscored).
Skriniar is a reliable defender at the back which makes him a perfect fit to play as a sporadic option in Guardiola’s squad. However, the jury is still out on whether he would be happy competing with Laporte, Otamendi and Stones for a place in the Citizens’ starting XI next season.
