Who Should Replace Vincent Kompany?
16 Jun
This is a guest post from Linus.
Losing your main central defender would be damaging to most teams, but Manchester City being without Vincent Kompany for the 2019-20 season is a strange thought indeed. The 33-year-old has been a stable in their defence ever since he joined the club in 2008, but he has opted to leave the Citizens after their domestic treble success this season to rejoin his first professional side Anderlecht in a player-manager role.
The departure won’t affect the betting markets regarding Manchester City’s pursuit of another Premier League title next season, and punters should check out the William Hill promo code for 2019 to ensure they can maximise their winnings if they feel City will become only the second team to win three titles on the bounce in the Premier League era.
However, with the departure of Kompany, there is sure to be a massive hole in the heart of the City defence that will need filling, and with the lack of belief that Pep Guardiola appears to have in John Stones, it looks like it could be a big summer investment to fill that gap. But, who could Guardiola have his eyes on?
Harry Maguire
The one obvious stand out contender would be Leicester City’s, Harry Maguire. The Englishman’s stock has certainly risen over the past 12 months after his exploits in the World Cup were followed up with a brilliant season for the Foxes. Maguire has all the capabilities to slot straight into the back four as he is a good passer of the ball, and can bring the ball out from the back comfortably. His aerial ability would add yet another layer to the City attack.
The fee that could be required to urge Leicester to see their best defender is likely to be a significant one, but City certainly have the resources to match anybody. The leading contender for Maguire’s signature could be Manchester United, who have been looking at the Englishman since last summer’s World Cup.
Samuel Umtiti
Guardiola could instead go back to his former side and try and meet the price that is required to lure Umtiti away from the Nou Camp. The Frenchman looks certain to leave Spain this summer, with Arsenal being the first choice destination until the Gunners failed to make it into the Champions League next season. Once again, Umtiti has all the qualities that the manager would be looking for in a defender and is a comfortable passer of the ball.
The only issue with a move for Umtiti would be that City needs a right-sided central defender as they already have one of the league’s best on the left-hand side in Aymeric Laporte. Umtiti is predominantly a left-sided player and would unbalance the team.
Eric Garcia
Instead of spending big to bring in the right type of player that is needed, Guardiola might already feel that he has a player in Eric Garcia that is ready to take the jump into first-team action. City signed the Spaniard from Barcelona in 2017, and he has excelled brilliantly through the youth set ups.
He made his first competitive appearance for the club in their League Cup match against Leicester earlier in their cup run, before playing in the FA Cup in January. He is yet to play in the Premier League but should City opt not to sign a replacement then Garcia could be one to benefit.
Surely the key to next season is retaining Nicolas Ottamendi? He is still an excellent CH and that with John Stones and Aymeric Laporte that would make the need for another top level CH debatable, certainly with the silly money being sought by Leicester for Maguire.
Eric Garcia is an excellent prospect both as player and in his leadership ability but at 18 years of age he needs to be advanced into a “Foden” type of development season and as no 4 in the pecking order that would happen.
If Ottamendi leaves that probably begs a different solution but I am unconvinced by making a long term decision at the expense of one of the best young players to have come through the Academy since Foden, Diaz and Sancho, and I’d rather like to see him encouraged to show that he is as good as we hope he is without him feeling the need to change shirts and country first!
I guess Tosin Adarabioyo hasn’t made a strong enough case in his ‘on the ball’ skills. We haven’t heard much in the way of positive vibes?