Joao Cancelo has mostly been a regular at left-back for Manchester City this season, but he’s had to play on the right at times due to Kyle Walker’s injury woes, leaving Pep Guardiola without a viable option on the left.
Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte have operated in the makeshift role while Sergio Gomez is also an option, but Pep could do with a tried and test alternative who is a natural.
One player who should be on their radar is Alejandro Grimaldo – a player they looked at earlier in the season. The 27-year-old is out of contract at Benfica this summer and has interest from Inter Milan and Juventus.
Grimaldo has made 280 appearances in all competitions since joining the Portuguese outfit from Barcelona in 2016, scoring 23 goals with 56 assists. This season, he’s had a hand in 10 goals from 31 games and statistically outperforms all of City’s defenders.
If signed, the Spanish U21 international would be first in the City squad for tackles per game (2.3), beating Rodri (2.2), and he’d be joint-first for interceptions per game (1.1), drawing with Joao Cancelo (1.1).
Grimaldo would be second in the City squad for chances created per game (2.4), missing out on top spot to Kevin De Bruyne (3.3), and he would be joint-third in the City squad for successful dribbles per game (1.1), drawing with Bernardo Silva (1.1).
If the 27-year-old is available on a free transfer next summer, City should seriously consider a move.
In other news, ship has sailed for Man City to sign Houssem Aouar as Ilkay Gundogan’s replacement
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