Manchester City Fan View: Citizens must sign a centre back in January

Manchester City have conceded the least goals in the Premier League so far this season, with just 12 conceded in 20 games. But the Sky Blues must sign a centre back in the January transfer window, or risk being unable to challenge on all fronts towards the latter end of the campaign.

City skipper Vincent Kompany has long suffered from a recurring calf problem, which has consistently kept him out of the squad for short spells on a frequent basis. With John Stones only just returning to the team after a long spell on the sidelines, Pep Guardiola’s outfit have coped, with the much-ridiculed Eliaquim Mangala stepping up his performances in recent fixtures. Nicolas Otamendi has also been the best defender in the Premier League this season, whilst the likes of Fernandinho, Kyle Walker and Danilo have also been utilised on occasion as makeshift central defenders.

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Of course, with the way in which City are playing at the moment, they could probably play any player in any position and still get results. But Guardiola, who has recently insisted that he is happy with his current crop of superstars to take him through until the end of the season, surely knows that if he is to challenge for the Premier League and the Champions League this term, he must bring in cover at the heart of defence.

The news that Virgil Van Dijk is set to complete a £75 million move to strengthen Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool outfit is hot off the press. City were believed to have made a move for the Dutch international again this month, despite him rejecting a move to the Etihad back in the summer.

Any new player brought in at centre back is likely to play third choice to Stones and Otamendi after their immense start. Thus, the problem is finding a top-class individual content with playing second fiddle to two established components of Guardiola’s machine, and rotating in and out of the City side.

Spending £75m on a player to fulfil such a role, regardless of his quality, would have seemed illogical. Had City been able to acquire Van Dijk for a bit less cash, he would have been an excellent acquisition. However, City need to look for a player who is an upgrade on their current backups and can play out from the back as Guardiola desires, but also somehow who has few injury issues and has experience at the top level. It seems that Inigo Martinez or Jonny Evans could be Guardiola’s man.