Manchester City have made signing Marc Cucurella from Brighton & Hove Albion a priority this summer, but the Premier League champions are waiting to sell Nathan Ake before they lodge an official bid.
Pep Guardiola wants the 23-year-old to be a regular at left-back this coming campaign – Benjamin Mendy is still suspended over alleged sex crimes while Oleksandr Zinchenko wasn’t a regular in the role last season.
Is Oleksandr Zinchenko good enough to start at left-back?
Yes
No
City have been making a real effort to balance their books this summer, but they risk waiting too long to get Cucurella. Brighton have the left-back tied down until 2026 and won’t want to sell if they don’t have enough time to source a replacement.
Paul Robinson says it wouldn’t be the end of the world if City missed out on the Spaniard, as Joao Cancelo has been so impressive in the makeshift role. He told Football Insider: “There are not many positions you can strengthen that side in at all.
“Even at left-back you struggle to see how they can improve because Cancelo played so well last year. I know he’s a right-back, but he flourished on the left. He was incredible. He is one of the best full-backs in the world.
“It is an area Pep would look at strengthening in because they haven’t got strength in depth there. (But) it would not be a disaster if they didn’t because of what they have got in the squad already.”
Cucurella looks a teal talent. He made 91 tackles, had 30 interceptions, made 61 clearances, blocked 14 shots, had 27/54 successful dribbles, won 35/68 aerial duels and created 40 chances in 35 Premier League games last season, so he has all the attributes to be an effective fullback under Guardiola.
Cancelo is more than capable at left-back, but 32-year-old Kyle Walker can’t stay on the right forever. Signing Cucurella would mean Cancelo could play in his preferred role.