Vital Man City said last summer that Pep Guardiola might regret not adequately replacing Oleksandr Zinchenko as it leaves Manchester City short on natural left-backs, but Joao Cancelo impressing in the makeshift role put a band-aid over the problem.
Now he’s been loaned out to Bayern Munich without time for City to replace him, however, is Guardiola regretting the sale of Zinchenko? The 26-year-old was an unsung hero and loved among his teammates, but he didn’t feel he had Pep’s trust so he sought more opportunities elsewhere.
Journalist Muhammed Butt believes Guardiola made a mistake letting him leave, saying on Twitter: “(Cancelo is) lightyears behind Zinchenko’s level. Pep must really regret letting the Ukrainian go now, because even (Nathan) Ake has been a better full-back than Cancelo.”
Sergio Gomez is City’s only natural left-back in the first-team, but he won’t be seriously considered to start as he’s not made the matchday for City’s last two Premier League games. Nathan Ake has impressed in the role of late, so he should continue on the left.
The Sky Blues will need to sign at least one left-back, but it doesn’t appear a new face will come in on Tuesday. So Guardiola’s defence could have an 18-year-old at right-back, two right-footed centre-backs and a central defender playing left-back.
Pep loves versatile players, but this isn’t ideal for a team challenging for the title.
In other news, journalists say Man City are ‘closely monitoring’ AC Milan star on deadline day
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