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Defence
Right Back: Kyle Walker
The English defender had a 2019-20 season to forget as his attacking output reduced, and he was also caught out at the back on multiple occasions. Own goals and red cards for the England national team have further compounded his misery, with the defender also in the news for violating COVID-19 lockdown protocols.
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It's telling that Kyle Walker's best moment of the 2019-20 season came in goal when the right-back stepped in as an emergency option to keep a 'clean sheet' against Atalanta.
At the end of the day, Walker still has the very attributes that made Manchester City break a transfer record to bring him to the club, so he ought to start the 2020-21 season with a clean slate.
Joao Cancelo remains an option for Pep Guardiola, but the Portuguese defender failed to make an impression while on loan last season and might find chances to play hard to come by. For now, Walker has the right-back position all to himself.
Right Centre-back: Kalidou Koulibaly
Manchester City's need for a right-sided defender was amplified in the 2019-20 season as injuries to Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones, coupled with their poor form, meant that the inexperienced Eric Garcia was often the preferred option, with Fernandinho also called upon at times.
Napoli president Angelo de Laurentis has confirmed that Manchester City are interested in Kalidou Koulibaly. But owing to their sour relations with the English club due to the failed Jorginho transfer in 2018, Napoli are not dealing directly with City, instead preferring to talk through an agent, something which is delaying the transfer. However, given Manchester City's financial might, it is inevitable that Koulibaly will line up for the Sky Blues sooner rather than later.
Koulibaly's attributes are pretty much perfect for Pep Guardiola's needs as the Senegal captain marries his physical presence with impressive positioning. The 29-year-old is at his peak right now and will bring much-needed solidity to the defensive setup at the Etihad.
Left Centre-back: Aymeric Laporte
Manchester City lost out on the Premier League title to Liverpool by a wide margin, and many believe Aymeric Laporte is worth those 18 points. The French defender's qualities were on display for much of the 2018-19 season as City romped to the title. However, Laporte missed 30 games in all competitions for the Cityzens last year, and Guardiola's men expectedly suffered in his absence.
Laporte brings a much-needed calm to the Manchester City backline as his athletic abilities and positioning result in opposition forwards not having much space to work with. The impeccable ball-distribution skills of Laporte, who is arguably one of the best centre-backs on the ball, means that Manchester City tend to have a vice-like grip on possession stats when the Frenchman is on the field.
With Koulibaly alongside him, the opposition will have their work cut out in the 2020-21 season.
Left Back: Nathan Ake
A few eyebrows were raised when Nathan Ake moved from Bournemouth to Manchester City, though they were mostly for the size of the transfer fee rather than the player's abilities. Despite signing Ake from a relegated team, Manchester City had to part with a sizeable sum of £40m owing to the player's age and the English premium.
Benjamin Mendy ought to have the left-back spot sown up in all fairness, but the Frenchman's lack of defensive ability might mean that Pep Guardiola relies on Nathan Ake as a left-back rather than as a centre-back
Ake played as a left-back for Netherlands in the recent international break, and his performances ought to convince City fans that he is the right man for that role.
