Jonny Evans touted as the man to solve Manchester City’s defensive problems
Leicester City centre-back Jonny Evans has been touted as the man to solve Manchester City’s problems at the back.
Pep Guardiola has been hit with a deluge of injuries this season, particularly in defence.
While John Stones appeared to have sustained a thigh injury in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United, Aymeric Laporte (damaged cartilage and lateral meniscus) has been on the sidelines for a while and will stay there until at least February 2020 – maybe even longer.
Laporte’s has been the biggest blow for City, who do not seem to have prepared for such a situation in the summer transfer window.
With the January transfer window approaching fast, there is a good chance that Guardiola could go into the market for a centre-back, and former Citizens captain Richard Dunne has advised the reigning champions to go for Evans.
Speaking to the Irish Independent, he said:
"“For all their attacking prowess, and it is very good, City have failed over the last couple of years because you always think they’re not strong enough at the back,” he told the Irish Independent.“And now they need two centre-backs. One, Aymeric Laporte, is out with an injury and the other two don’t seem capable of putting together a string of performances to allow them keep clean sheets.“I can’t see Guardiola going out to buy one, but they need someone who could come in right now and help out.“Jonny Evans has been brilliant for Leicester, he knows the league and I wouldn’t be surprised if they did earmark him to come in for a year or 18 months.”"
Evans has been a target for City before. In fact, he was supposed to move to the Etihad Stadium from West Bromwich Albion in 2017; however, the Baggies kept rejecting all offers only to sell him for £3.5 million after being relegated from the top division.
We already knew the Foxes had landed a gem in Evans, but let’s be honest, he has been even better than we thought he would be. He is one of the reasons – if not the reason – behind Caglar Soyuncu’s rapid rise as well.
Next. Leicester City midfield three as good as any other trio – Graeme Souness. dark
His experience and nous were always going to come in handy but this handy? Guardiola must be kicking himself for missing out. His side could do with someone of the mould because they really are lacking a genuine leader at the back.