According to a recent article on the print edition of Italian publication TuttoSport, as has been quoted by the Manchester Evening News, reigning Premier League champions Manchester City are said to be targeting the services of Inter Milan centre-halves Milan Skriniar and Alessandro Bastoni. It has been suggested that Pep Guardiola is keen to make defensive additions to his side in the summer, to try and find a dependable partner for Aymeric Laporte. The Sky Blues have been linked with a variety of other options over the last few months as well.
The report suggests that Milan Skriniar has been on Guardiola’s radar at Manchester City for quite a while now, but that Alessandro Bastoni has recently piqued his attention as well. It is also claimed that the manager could now opt to instead move for Bastoni in the summer. The MEN report has gone on to suggest that Raphael Varane is also being linked, though that move does seem a bit ambitious and far-fetched, even for a mammoth club like Manchester City.
What Would The Duo Add To This Manchester City Side?
Milan Skriniar’s links to Manchester City seem to be never-ending, but this summer could finally be when this move becomes a reality. One of the biggest aspects of a Pep Guardiola team is the passing, and that’s one attribute that the Slovakian international already has nailed down. Adept at cutting out running lanes, the 25-year-old boasts one of the best passing ranges in the Serie A, despite being a natural centre-half. Comfortable in possession, the defender offers almost 2.5 clearances and tackles every game.
Alessandro Bastoni is a much more orthodox Italian centre-half, who boasts a better physical build than the Slovakian, and is also a whole five years younger. Despite being just 20, the youngster shows excellent maturity while out on the pitch, and his exploits at centre-back since breaking into the team have been impressive. The Italian tends to position himself superbly from set-piece situations, while his ability to read a developing play is second to none.
What Holes Are Pep Guardiola Trying To Fill By Signing A Defender?
The early-season injury to Aymeric Laporte had a dire impact on not just the results, but also the general confidence within the side. Despite having the likes of John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi available for selection, the gaffer was forced to move Fernandinho into a defensive role. While Otamendi was far from consistent enough, Stones was almost a ticking time bomb on the pitch, waiting to explode and gift the opposition all three points.
Which One Of These Should Pep Guardiola Go For?
For all the good work that young Bastoni has done, it would make much more sense for the Manchester City manager to move for the experienced head of Milan Skriniar. The Slovakian has become one of the highest-rated centre-halves in Europe over the last few years, and his displays for Antonio Conte’s Inter this season have been majestic. The Citizens already boast one of the best defenders in the world in Aymeric Laporte, and adding someone of Skriniar’s quality into the mix would only make Guardiola’s job that much easier.
