Could a young England international land at the Etihad next month? | OneFootball

Manchester City’s defensive stocks have been ravaged by injury so far this season. Heading into last Sunday’s Manchester derby Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji were unavailable due to injury. John Stones was on the bench for the game but his season has also been interrupted by injury. A report from Ian Herbert for the Daily Mail indicates that a new centre-back is one of four positions that Manchester City may look to bolster next month. Another report suggests that an England international may be on City’s January wishlist. That player is Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and a City move for him makes sense for a host of reasons.

Billy Meyers has reported for TBR Football that Manchester City are considering a January move for England international Jarrad Branthwaite. Furthermore, Meyers reports that the world champions ‘have taken a keen interest’ in signing Branthwaite. Lastly, Meyers reports that Branthwaite is contracted with Everton until 2027. But he recently rejected a contract extension which has alerted clubs to the possibility of signing the Everton defender.

A January move for Jarrad Branthwaite makes sense from a Manchester City point of view.

This season has seen Manchester City’s defence ravaged by injury. It has had a huge effect on Pep Guardiola’s squad. Losing players such as Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, John Stones and Nathan Ake at critical times has decimated City’s defence. There has been no continuity at the back for the world champions. Pep Guardiola has been forced to play young players such as Jahmai Simpson-Pusey or Rico Lewis more than he would’ve originally intended this season. It has also seen Josko Gvardiol and Kyle Walker play more often than they should have. The entire situation with City’s defence has proven to be untenable. A player like Jarrad Branthwaite would immediately help solve this issue.

Branthwaite is a proven Premier League player. He has shown just how good a player he is during his time with Everton. Branthwaite has become an England international and appears to be one player that England could potentially build their defence around for years to come. He is also adept in possession on top of his defensive abilities. He ticks almost every box required to be a centre-back in a Pep Guardiola side.

A rebuild of Manchester City’s defence is coming. Age and injuries have caught up to players like John Stones, Kyle Walker, and Nathan Ake in particular this season. A January move for Jarrad Branthwaite could kickstart City’s defensive rebuild. He could also step in immediately and help Pep Guardiola’s squad. On paper, it looks like an ideal move for the champions to make. Now it remains to be seen if they will move for the England international.