Next up is a central defender and as we have seen this season, once we have an injury it gets very tight for us rotating at the back. Stones continues to struggle with injuries. This summer would be a great time to bring another defender in to follow in the footsteps of Gvardiol by learning from our group, having the quality to push them and give us better cover. That would then see us set well for long term.

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Central Defender Targets

Here is a comparison between our targets and Ruben Dias this season. We need a defender of top quality not a stop gap that can displace our top players long term.

Main Takeaways

• Ruben Dias ahead of all with touches, as expected playing as City but Scalvini and Silva lead the way with ball recoveries.

• All similar on possession lost, Scalvini the worst in this aspect.

• Ruben Dias leading the way on pass accuracy and volume, with Yoro and Silva not far behind.

• All players are ahead of Dias in duels, both aerial and ground.

Targets

• Jarred Branthwaite gives off the vibe of a young John Stones coming through at Everton, being English and playing at a club in need of a sale, the opportunity to get him at a good price this summer could be perfect timing for City.
  
  Very good on the ball, something we lack when Stones is out the team, and able to cover both right or left CB very well being two-footed. Strong and fast, showing that in his duel success this season at Everton.
  
  At 6ft 5 he brings added physicality to our back line.

• Giorgio Scalvini is an italian example of a modern defender, combining the tough defensive dominance needed at CB with a high amount of technical ability. Comfortable with playing either right or left CB, able to defend out wide being the left in a back three at Atalanta and could play a holding midfielder role when needed. Sound familiar?
  
  Great ability to find forward progressive passes, passing through a press and playing a key role in the build up. Clean tackler with great timing, he brings a focus to everything he does defensively. Focus defensively is exactly what this City team has missed this season.

• Leny Yoro is seen as the next diamond of Lille. The Parisian made his debut in Ligue 1 at 16 and hasn’t looked back since. He has all the ideal looks of an elite center back with his frame, pace and long legs. The real impressive part is how well uses those traits at only 18.
  
  Passing ability he posses puts him in the top 15% world wide, he started playing regularly in the summer of 23/24. A growing threat at set pieces, that City need more of in the team, he also impressive in aerial duels.
  
  His struggles come in progressive passing and carries, something that he can no doubt improve on with game time and learning at City.

• Antonio Silva could be the next defensive monster coming out of Benfica, following the path of Ruben Dias. Primarily used as a RCB, Silva is a no-nonsense defender with his tackles and recoveries in the 99 percentile (top five leagues).
  
  He is a monster at passing, a ball playing defender which again we lack without Stones or Akanji in the team. Above the average when it comes to progressive passes, long passes and passes into the final third.
  
  Sky is the limit with his potential but he will not be cheap to buy from Benfica.

Other Options

• Look at promoting internally an on loan player into the team, that would be Callum Doyle who has done exceptionally well on loan at Leicester before his injury, building on two previous loan spells that were successful.

There are plenty of options for another central defender out there with the ability to play the ball through passing and/or carrying. Something this side needs more of coming through and this season would be a good one for a young defender to slowly find his feet at City.

Let us know if we missed anyone you would have added!