Manchester City could move for a full-back to unlock their best defensive pairing | OneFootball

When you look at the Manchester City squad you can see the areas that do need strengthening. That process could start in January. A midfielder or two would immediately alleviate City’s midfield issues. But there is also merit in the idea of signing a full-back next month. There are obvious concerns at right-back for Pep Guardiola’s side. But perhaps signing a proper left-back could help aid City’s cause. Also, by doing that, it could help Pep Guardiola unleash City’s best centre-back pairing. A new report indicates that it is a move Manchester City could be contemplating.

Danny Rust and Dean Jones have reported for GIVEMESPORT that Manchester City are seriously considering a move for Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson. Rust and Jones further report that Fulham value Robinson at £40 million. It is also included in the GIVEMESPORT report that Liverpool are also interested in signing the American international. Lastly, it included in Rust and Jones’ report that the world champions could be busy in the January transfer window as they look to bolster Pep Guardiola’s squad.

A move for Antonee Robinson does make a lot of sense in light of Manchester City’s defensive issues.

Manchester City have had defensive issues all season long. Injuries have hit City’s defensive stocks hard. Manuel Akanji, John Stones, and Nathan Ake have all missed games due to injury issues. That has become an ongoing concern for the world champions. But the injury crisis to City’s defensive stocks may have inadvertently led them to find their best centre-back pairing. With that in mind, a move for Antonee Robinson does make sense on several fronts.

First of all, Manchester City would be able to move Josko Gvardiol to centre-back if they had a proper left-back in their squad. That way he could continue to develop his blossoming partnership with Ruben Dias in the heart of City’s defence. Based on the injury issues John Stones, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji have faced this season they haven’t been reliable options this season. Signing a proper left-back does open up this possibility. Moving Gvardiol to centre-back could also facilitate the move of Manuel Akanji to right-back. Due to Kyle Walker’s form this season that is another problem position for Pep Guardiola’s side. Signing a player like Antonee Robinson may have a domino effect on City’s defence.

The other benefit of moving for Antonee Robinson is Manchester City could potentially sign one of the best left-backs in the Premier League. Robinson has shone for Fulham this season, and it is no surprise to see him linked with a move to a bigger club in the future. Defensively he is an elite left-back and he can get forward with his overlapping runs. That has stood out in Fulham’s matches this season and would add a different dimension to Manchester City’s play if they could sign Robinson next month.

Manchester City’s reported interest in Antonee Robinson is now a story to monitor. The potential move does appear to be a sound one if City do pursue it. Signing Robinson would immediately strengthen City’s defence and could solve multiple issues with their defence. So it does appear to a potential move with plenty of merit based on the factors listed above.