According to the reports from the Times, Brighton and Hove Albion captain Lewis Dunk has emerged as one of the targets for Manchester City in the summer. It is being reported that City will offload at least one or even two centre backs in the summer to bring in new recruits.
John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi are considered to be on the chopping block. It is no surprise that both of them could be shipped away as they have failed to come up with the goods this season. City have struggled at the back, and Guardiola has had to use Fernandinho as the leading centre back for most parts this campaign. The Brazilian has been handed a year-long extension while Aymeric Laporte is going to be a first-choice starter when available.
Dunk came up from Brighton’s academy, and he had a spell with Bristol City initially. However, he joined the Seagulls again in 2013, and he has played a massive role in establishing them as a Premier League club. The 28-year-old has also played for England once, and he is seen as one of the best defenders outside of the top six clubs.
Will Dunk be a good signing for City?
It will be interesting to see whether Dunk would be effective in City’s system or not. The Englishman is known as a committed defender. He is strong in his challenges, whether it is in the air or on the ground.
Guardiola often insists on his team to play a high line and choke the opposition whereas, at Brighton, Dunk usually has to defend deep. He doesn’t have too much pace in his locker so he could be caught out on the counter if City plays their usual high line.
Dunk is also not seen as someone with impressive passing range, but he can handle himself with the ball at his feet. The Seagulls man is more in the mould of a classic no-nonsense defender. Maybe Guardiola wants to bring in a centre back like that after seeing the performances of Stones and Otamendi who were being viewed as dynamic defenders.
Dunk has his contract at the club until 2023 and Brighton will likely demand a sizeable fee for him given his importance in the first team. We believe that he could be a decent signing, but if Guardiola insists on playing out from the back every single time, then Dunk is probably not going to be that effective. Maybe City are seeing him only as a backup option.
