VMC’s Lorna continues her bi-annual assessment of the City squad and the transfer market with the focus this month on The Blues central defensive options…
City seem to be steadily getting into top gear this season. Let’s hope it stays that way and we take over the top spot in England from league leaders Arsenal any day now. However, I still feel we need a helping hand in the defensive area of Manuel Pellegrini’s squad. The January transfer window is of course open and as per usual there are many bright stars out there who could be available and may be willing to come to Manchester. Indeed, January is a strange time to purchase top class footballers as there are not too many good bargains out there but there are one or two to be had if you look hard enough and in the right places.
Up front we have no worries. Even without out star attraction, Sergio Agüero, who is firmly back in full training having been substituted in the 50th minute of the demolition of Arsenal, we have continued to score relatively freely and have scored 24 goals across the 7.5 games that he has been absent. At the same time, we have seemingly rectified our poor away form. We are fantastic going forward with assistance from the likes of Yaya Touré, Jesús Navas, Fernandinho and James Milner but there is still in my opinion a black cloud hanging over the defensive side of things and I still can’t help but bite my nails when the ball goes anywhere near our nets!
We need an ideal trio to work alongside Vincent Kompany. Yes we all know Matija Nastasić plays well with Kaptain Kompany, he is young and is learning the ropes. He has a good teacher and is a player we need to keep. Then we have the experience of Martin Demichelis who I am beginning to rate quite highly but when it comes to a long term partner for Kompany I have a hunch it won’t be 32 year old Demichelis. Joleon Lescott seems to have been with us for eons and his future becomes more uncertain every day despite 18 appearances this season. I won’t mention Javi García in the context of central defenders.
Right at the back, Joe Hart had a dodgy start to the season and he paid the price under intense spotlight but he still needs a strong backline in front of him. Whilst Kompany was out injured organisational defensive weaknesses came to the fore and we were exposed, as was Joe.
Anyway, central defenders, who is realistically out there that might be worth a bid, especially if we were to lose the services of one of the aforementioned Blues?
First on the list is a close friend of El Kun – Ezequiel Garay of Benfica. Sought after by our out of town rivals United for some time but strangely The Moyesiah pulled out of a pursuit of the big 27 year old Argentinian last summer. Garay is valued at around £17m and also played under Pellegrini during The Engineer’s stint at Real Madrid. In my opinion Garay would be a good choice when it comes down to partnering Kompany.
Kurt Zouma of Saint Etienne. Now this guy does have potential and bags of it. He was linked to us last year and remains so. The young Frenchman at 19 years old has age on his side and is capable of becoming a world class defender but is he reliable enough to be at Kompany’s side for the rest of a crucial season now City have played their way into serious contention for silverware? We already have youth on our side with Nastasić on board and he as I mentioned earlier is learning fast following that ballsy debut at Real Madrid.
Diego Godin of Atletico Madrid. This another player who starred during Pellegrini’s managerial career in La Liga, this time whilst at Villareal. Godin is 27 years old, is experienced and is the defensive star at Atletico.
Matteo Musacchio of Villareal. Now, Musacchio has attracted interest from the likes of Chelsea and Barcelona and comes with a hefty price tag of around £23m. Mind you at 23 years old the Argentine does have youth on his side so may be worth a look at. Let’s face it there is really only City and Chelsea who can afford a price tag like that in January unless the panic gripping The Stretfords realises a sudden outlay on the never never. Before we even think about purchasing Musacchio we have to check that he is going to be 100% committed to becoming part of the backbone of City’s defence at this crucial time.
Eliaquim Mangala of FC Porto). This guy had been scouted and hunted by the rags at the same time as Garay but the hefty price tag of £30m made them back off. Mangala only last week told Portuguese hacks ‘It is no secret to me the Premier League is the most beautiful league in the world.’ The 22 year old Frenchie oozes quality and ability and this could be a player essential in building the defensive platform that we need.
Well over to you Mr Pellegrini. Let’s see who you opt for, if any of the above should your hand be forced. If not in January then so be it in Summer but without a shadow of a doubt our defence needs to be shored up to the hilt as we head for the business end of this riveting season.
UPCOMING DATES FOR YOUR FILOFAX:
all times East Manchester GMT
Su 12Jan 14h05 Newcastle United, St James Park, PL
We 15Jan 19h45 Blackburn, The Etihad, FAC3R
Sa 18Jan 15h00 Cardiff City, The Etihad, PL
Tu 21Jan 19h45 West Ham United, Upton Park, LCSF2
Sa/Su 25/26 Jan TBC Watford or Bristol City, The Etihad, FAC4
We 29Jan 19h45 Tottenham Hotspur, White Hart Lane, PL
Mo 03Feb 2014 20h00 Chelsea, The Etihad, PL
Sa 08Feb 15h00 Norwich City, Carrow Road, PL
We 12Feb 19h45 Sunderland, The Etihad, PL
Tu 18Feb 19h45 FC Barcelona, CL
Sa 22Feb 15h00 Stoke City, The Etihad PL
Sa 01Mar 15h00 The Stretfords, the swamp, PL
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