Pep Guardiola is delighted by Manchester City's improvement in dead ball situations but wants his team to be even better.
Yan Couto could solve Man City transfer dilemma if he 'improves 30 per cent'
20.01.2022 - 09:31 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester City are still a full back short of a full complement, and that could be an addition to their summer shopping list as they seek to bring the squad up to full strength.
But, of course, landing a striker remains the priority this summer, and with Fernandinho turning 37 in May, a defensive midfielder probably comes next.
With Benjamin Mendy suspended as he awaits trial, the chances of the France international playing for the Blues again appear slim, so they are essentially down to three fullbacks filling four spaces.
That has not been an issue due to Joao Cancelo’s flexibility - he has flitted from left-back to right-back without detracting from the quality of either his own game or that of the team.
The fact that Nathan Ake has proved a competent and solid left-back, and that John Stones can slot in at right-back if necessary, means that the Blues have coped without any real issues.
The impressive debut of Josh Wilson-Esbrand at left-back in the 6-1 win over Wycombe in the Carabao Cup this season gave further food for Pep Guardiola’s thoughts, and the 19-year-old has since featured in matchday squads - he was on the bench against Chelsea at the weekend, with Aleks Zinchenko still out injured.
But the Blues also have an exciting youngster out on loan and, unlike other loans which have not gone so well, Yan Couto has thrived on being thrown into the competitive atmosphere of Portugal’s Primeira Liga, at Braga.
And his manager Carlos Carvalhal, back in his home town after spells at Swansea and Sheffield Wednesday, says that if Couto can meet the challenge he has set for this season, he could be good enough for the Blues in the near future.
Couto has become a regular at right wing-back for Braga, who are the "best
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