Oleksandr Zinchenko had an uncertain future going into the January transfer window as he wasn’t commanding a regular starting place and had interest from Real Betis, but reports (h/t Sports Illustrated) suggest he won’t be leaving this month.
The 25-year-old has made only 12/31 appearances in all competitions this season, amassing 839 minutes of playing time from a possible 2790. Despite impressing at left-back in 2020/21, Zinchenko has since fallen down the pecking order and finds himself behind Joao Cancelo under Pep Guardiola.
Despite no longer holding down a starting place, the Ukrainian international has been a regular in the matchday squad, so it’s unlikely he’d be sold. Benjamin Mendy is currently awaiting trail for alleged sex crimes, so Zinchenko is the only cover at left-back that Guardiola has.
His deal at the Etihad Stadium has two-and-a-half years remaining and reports say Zinchenko could be in line to sign a new deal. The 25-year-old doesn’t want out at City and is regarded as a great professional by his manager, so it makes sense to keep him in Manchester.
Zinchenko has made 112 appearances across the board since joining the Sky Blues from Ufa in 2016 and could be making many more.
In other news, Patrick Roberts appears to have played his final game for Man City