There are serious question marks over Manchester City’s defence as it stands.
Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi were both inconsistent last season. Vincent Kompany could barely get himself on the pitch because of injuries. Martin Demichelis has left the club after his contract came to an end. City’s four full-backs are all in their 30s.
It’s a volatile and unsustainable situation for Pep Guardiola, the incoming manager. His attempts to sign Athletic Bilbao’s Aymeric Laporte were thwarted when the 22-year-old penned a new deal with the Basque club, leaving him to look elsewhere for alternative options.