Given Man City’s frailties at the back this season, it’s debatably imperative that Pep Guardiola and co prioritise centre-back depth in preparation for the 2020/2021 campaign – with one man in particular seemingly standing out among all other defensive candidates.
Milan Skriniar, who has made 24 Serie A starts for Inter Milan this season, becoming one of the mainstays during Antonio Conte’s title challenge, possesses attributes which could hugely benefit City as we look to plug gaping holes.
Which centre-back should City sign?
Dayot Upamecano
Kalidou Koulibaly
Milan Skriniar
Caglar Soyuncu
Due to Aymeric Laporte’s fitness issues, combined with the inconsistent form of both John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi, City have been forced to re-deploy Fernandinho in a centre-back role – preventing him from taking up his usual position in midfield to protect the back four.
During our historic domestic quadruple-winning 2018/2019 campaign, the Brazilian was a key force – particularly highlighted by his impressive performance during our 2-1 victory over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.
Despite signing a contract extension which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2021, sporting director Txiki Begiristain arguably needs to sign an imposing central defender who can allow Fernandinho to sit in front of the back line as opposed to at centre-half.
Enter Skriniar, who has registered an impressive 92% pass accuracy in the Italian top flight this season, as per WhoScored, while standing at a lofty 6ft 2.
Currently rated at around €70 million (£63.3 million), the Slovakian would cost a pretty penny, but he is arguably worth the investment considering he has averaged the third-most blocks and clearances out of Inter’s entire squad.
Indeed, Skriniar would potentially add some solidarity as a centre-back partner to Laporte, and he could be City’s perfect heir to ex-captain and club legend Vincent Kompany.