Vital Man City was critical of Pep Guardiola’s decision to allow Joao Cancelo to leave, as Manchester City were already short of options at left-back and don’t have enough time to line up a replacement with the winter transfer window closing on Tuesday evening.
BBC Sport journalist Jordan Elgott said as much on Twitter, highlighting how weak City’s options are for a side chasing the Premier League, but he wasn’t the only one. Amos Murphy of the City Report was also highly critical of the Sky Blues’ transfer business on Twitter, calling it ‘abysmal’.
He said: “Call a spade a spade, letting Cancelo leave without signing a direct replacement is abysmal business from City.” Guardiola had reason to let the 28-year-old leave, with reports suggesting a training ground bust-up, but left-back was one position City couldn’t afford to lose another player.
Nathan Ake was Man of the Match in City’s FA Cup win over Arsenal and should keep his place ahead of February’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur, but Sergio Gomez is his backup – a player Guardiola dropped from the matchday squad for their last two league games.
Aymeric Laporte is a makeshift option in Ake’s stead, but he’s less mobile than the latter as he’s more of a towering centre-back. So Pep may have some tinkering to do. City have been linked with Ben Chilwell of Chelsea and Antonee Robinson of Fulham, but it remains to be seen if they get a deal over the line.
In other news, Pep Guardiola criticised by BBC Sport journalist for transfer decision
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