Manchester City: Key positions to reassess this summer
By Liam Price
Left-back(s)
Current options: Gael Clichy, Aleksandar Kolarov and Jose Angelino Tasende
Both Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov have been with this Manchester City outfit for some time now and have brought a different dynamic to the squad. However, the pair has begun to let their age show and at key moments quick, young wingers have breezed by the pair this season. Guardiola has also opted for Kolarov to move into the middle position, filling the vacancy left by Vincent Kompany and, at times, John Stones.
As a result, the left-back position will need to be sorted out in the summer market. City have the young Angelino, currently on loan with Spanish side RCD Mallorca, who they could bring back and slowly fit into the squad for upcoming seasons. Guardiola has a way of managing young talent and it would be good to see some of the academy players break into the first-team.
Additionally, Manchester City has been linked with some of the world’s best left-backs over the previous markets. This summer, we could see Manchester City once again try to target David Alaba from Bayern Munich or Giorgio Chiellni from Juventus- although both have just signed new contracts with their clubs.
Although Tottenham would be highly unlikely to give him up, City might be able to tempt Danny Rose away from the North-London side. With his pace and natural tackling abilities, Rose might become Guardiola’s first choice left-back. Keep in mind one of the progressing trend over the past few seasons; English players are coming at a higher price to clubs and with John Stones fetching £47.5million, who knows what the asking price for Rose will be?