According to a recent report by Sky Sports, Premier League champions Manchester City are said to be considering the purchase of Leicester City defensive-pairing Caglar Soyunçu and Jonny Evans, in an attempt to ease the defensive worries in the side. Of the two, the Turkish international Soyunçu has been raising eyebrows all over European football in recent weeks, and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola seems to have noticed this as well.
Why Do Manchester City Urgently Need Defensive Reinforcements?
Over the last couple of seasons, the sheer dominance that was dished out by Guardiola’s formidable Manchester City side could be what’s coming back to haunt them now. City were responsible for raising the bar in terms of the quality of football that was being played in the Premier League. Having already suffered shock defeats to Norwich City and Wolverhampton Wanderers this season, the manager will be hell-bent on not dropping more points.
The main reason for the dropped points has to be the sudden defensive fragility that Manchester City seem to have uncharacteristically developed. The injury to Aymeric Laporte couldn’t have come at a worse time for Guardiola’s men, and their lack of top-quality replacements within the side has also begun to take it’s toll on the team. Although Fernandinho has been utilised alongside John Stones in a centre-half role, there still seem to be various gaping holes in the City back-line.
How Did Caglar Soyunçu Make A Name For Himself?
Born in the Turkish town of Izmir, the former SC Freiburg defender began his playing career at Turkish club Menemen’s youth system. After spending small periods of time across a flurry of lower league Turkish football clubs, it was finally at Altinordu that the youngster began to be held in high regard. Although his move to Bundesliga outfit Freiburg was a free transfer, they definitely saw something in the youngster before acquiring his devices.
After moving to Germany, the Turkish international’s development was rapid. Having joined the Bundesliga outfit in the summer of 2016, he went on to make 55 appearances for the club, throughout two campaigns. He seemed head and shoulders above all the other defenders the club had at their disposal, effectively motivating an ambitious team like Leicester City to target his services.
How Would Soyunçu Fit In At Manchester City?
Although the Turkish international was signed last season, he was barely given any regular playing time over the course of the campaign. With Brendan Rodgers now in charge, the youngster has been a revelation at the back. The fact that the Foxes defence has only conceded eight goals so far this season will be the envy of many of the top teams. City could try and lure the Turk to the Etihad in an attempt to replicate that excellent defensive return.
He would form a formidable partnership with Aymeric Laporte in the heart of the defence, making for one of the most structurally sound back-lines in the Premier League. The high-energy play that both centre-halves are capable of will come into play, as Pep is bound to promote more aggressive interceptions in their own half. Still only 23, Soyunçu still has a massive future ahead of him, and to be linked with clubs like Manchester City at such a young age, is the biggest compliment a player can receive.
