Man City Now Have Five Options To Solve Their Left-Back Dilemma

Pep Guardiola might find himself with a dilemma or two when trying to pick a first-choice left-back for Manchester City ahead of the new season.

He has options, but each of them have clear weaknesses and that does worry the Catalan coach.

Here’s a look at the players who could fill the left-back role next season, and whether City might look to sign a new one.

Benjamin Mendy

Mendy is still an excellent attacking full-back and there are few better at delivering the ball from wide areas.

A intelligent player seemingly well-suited to a Guardiola team.

Injuries, though, have taken their toll. Mendy now he looks significantly less athletic, less mobile than he did when he first arrived at the club in 2017.

Mendy is still only 26, and as things stand – and mostly through no fault of his own – the Frenchman can’t be depended on to last a whole season.

It’s no surprise that City are considering their options.

Oleksandr Zinchenko

A supremely talented young player and a Guardiola favourite.

Guardiola experimented with the Ukraine international’s position and discovered that he was accomplished at left-back.

Zinchenko has often excelled on the left flank.

But against better teams, cracks begin to emerge.

He is not yet a fully-fledged defender, which often result in him being beaten too easily.

Joao Cancelo

Signed primarily as a right-back, Cancelo was asked to fill in on the left more.

It was a slightly frustrating first campaign for the Portuguese, who did 22 starts in all competitions, suggesting Guardiola is perhaps not entirely convinced yet.

Cancelo’s performance against Real Madrid in the Champions League last-16 second leg, though, suggests Guardiola might choose to explore that further, with Kyle Walker well established at right-back.

Angelino

An impressive loan spell at RB Leipzig led to speculation that Angelino might be given a chance at City.

There have been suggestions, too, that the 23-year-old wants to return to Leipzig on a permanent basis, rather than biding his time at the Etihad.

The Spaniard’s future remains up in the air, then, but he has proved himself capable of performing well in the Bundesliga and Champions League.

New signing

As things stand, it seems unlikely that City will bring in a new left-back, particularly after Ben Chilwell’s move to Chelsea.

Bayern Munich’s David Alaba has been mentioned as a potential target but the 28-year-old would be expensive.

SEE ALSO | Thiago Silva's Agent Reveals How PSG Lost Two Years For Appointing Emery As Head Coach

For now City look to be sticking with what they’ve got.

This article was most recently revised and updated 4 years ago