Man City have reportedly identified left-back as one of the key positions to be strengthened in a daring summer overhaul.
Ferran Torres and Nathan Ake have already put pen-to-paper, and now we are being linked once again to Juventus defender Alex Sandro – but should we sign the £160,000-per-week man?
The news comes courtesy of a report in Italian newspaper Tuttosport, via Sport Witness, claiming that director of football Txiki Begiristain and co are ‘thinking’ about a move for the 23-cap Brazil international.
Even though Ake can be deployed as a left-back, the likes of David Alaba and Ben Chilwell continue to be linked with a move to the Etihad – and now Sandro has joined the list of names touted to reinforce our options.
However, City could be making a real mistake if we were to snap him up.
Mendy 2.0
29-years-old and suffering through a dip in form, putting in some ‘horrific‘ displays for Juventus over 2019/2020, it’s little wonder why the newly-appointed Andrea Pirlo could put him on the transfer list this summer alongside Aaron Ramsey, Mattia Di Sciglio and Daniele Rugani according to Corriere dello Sport.
According to WhoScored, Sandro also makes an eye-opening 1.4 fouls per 90 whilst managing less crosses into the box than current City left-back Benjamin Mendy.
Even though he averages more tackles and interceptions than the Frenchman, the pair appear to be similar in terms of their form – a theory which may support the point he would be a non-ideal addition.
What the pundits say…
Italian football writer Nicola Balice drew attention to one of the defender’s other dips nearly three years ago, claiming he makes ‘too many mistakes’ and struggled against the likes of Gerard Deulofeu – never mind Lionel Messi.
“Perhaps he is distracted, or out of shape. Either way, he’s making plenty of mistakes, and not just in defense. He’s unrecognisable,” explained the journalist writing for calciomercato.
“Sandro is no longer the man who was well worth €25 million invested in him in 2015.
“He struggled enough as it is against Gerard Deulofeu, never mind Lionel Messi.”
The final verdict…
Even though Sandro has also put in some stellar displays over years gone by, it’s highly debatable whether he is the answer to City’s left-back conundrum – with Alaba and co appearing like the wiser swoops.