The defence has been a gnawing concern for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City this season. City have conceded 29 goals in the domestic league so far, which is the highest among the top four teams in contention for the title. And much of it has been down to Guardiola’s attempt in bringing a free-flowing back line to the side, where players would need to switch roles seamlessly.
Failure at it has cost Manchester City some humiliating upsets in the past few months both in the league and in their European campaign, which include the 4-0 defeat against Barcelona, the shocking 4-2 loss to Leicester City and the latest of them being away at Everton last month.
Guardiola has visibly failed to create the masterpiece he did at Barcelona with the set of players at his disposal and it looks like he will be aiming to bring in his old ingredients at Etihad to achieve similar success. According to reports, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager is plotting a move for Juventus right-back Dani Alves this summer.
In Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Pablo Zabaleta and Vincent Kompany, City have defenders well past 30 and they should ideally be looking for younger legs to carry the mantle. However, it seems like the pressure of instant success has become too hot to handle for Guardiola, and Alves, almost 34, is capable enough to deliver him that.
The duo was invincible during their Barca days as player and manager when they had won everything and the Brazilian international knows Guardiola’s tactics inside out. Alves moved to Juventus last summer from the Catalans who haven’t yet successfully replaced him. However, the Brazilian has found less first team action under Allegri and is reportedly keen on a move to Premier League, before hanging up his boots.
He has appeared 12 times for the Serie A leaders, where he has scored once and assisted twice. In Champions League, he was instrumental for them scoring two and assisting the same in 6 appearances.
A product of Brazilian club Esporte Clube Bahia U19, Alves moved to La Liga in 2002 as Sevilla recognised his talent. A right back by nature, Alves can easily blend into the right wing’s position, an attribute that earned him a move to Barcelona from Sevilla in 2008, where he achieved all the major club honours.
His impeccable passing and his ability to provide perfectly measured crosses makes him a brilliant defender to have in the team. With Otamendi reportedly looking to join Real Madrid, Alves could definitely be a good replacement.
