Vital Man City have been critical of Pep Guardiola’s decision-making in the transfer market this summer, as Oleksandr Zinchenko was sold without a replacement left-back lined up.
Manchester City want to sign Marc Cucurella but are unwilling to match Brighton & Hove Albion’s asking price, so this deal is getting drawn out and will spill into the new season.
City don’t have a recognised left-back ahead of Saturday evening’s Community Shield final with Liverpool, but Guardiola isn’t worried. He named three players who could get the nod in his pre-match press conference, so the defending champions do have alternatives.
Who will win the Community Shield final?
Man City
Liverpool
Guardiola said: “We have enough players. “Joao (Cancelo) can play there. Josh (Wilson-Esbrand) can play there. Nathan (Ake) can play there. I never complain about the squad I have since the first season.”
Cancelo looks set to start at left-back against Liverpool with Wilson-Esbrand likely to make the bench. Ake could be forced to start at centre-back with Aymeric Laporte injured and John Stones not match fit, so City are limited for options at the back.
Guardiola backs his players’ versatility, so City won’t panic if they don’t have a deal wrapped up for a left-back when their first Premier League game comes around. They survived last season with Cancelo in the makeshift role after all.
Wilson-Esbrand shone in pre-season and has great potential, so fans could see more of him in 2022/23.
Cucurella is trying to push through a move by requesting a transfer, but Brighton aren’t budging on their valuation, so time will tell if a deal gets over the line.