Have Manchester City found an alternative centre-back to sign if they can’t land Marc Guehi? | OneFootball

After Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol both went down with injuries, Manchester City are short of experienced centre-backs. John Stones could have filled that particular void, but he is currently injured with his return date unknown. Nathan Aké’s body and fitness issues don’t allow him to play every three days, so City does need another experienced defender. Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi looks to be City’s number-one target to come in this month at centre-back. But if he isn’t available, City will likely need to find another centre-back.

A new report indicates that Bologna’s Colombian centre-back Jhon Lucumí is a potential target for Manchester City. Lucumí fits the bill as a modern-day, ball-playing centre-back, but is he a realistic target and the right centre-back for City? That isn’t immediately clear on closer inspection.

Bologna centre-back Jhon Lucumí is reportedly on Manchester City’s shortlist.

BolognaSportNews.it has reported that Bologna centre-back Jhon Lucumí has caught Manchester City’s eye. Furthermore, it is reported that Lucumí is seen as an alternative to Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi for Manchester City. The report adds that Sunderland and Aston Villa were interested in signing Lucumí last summer. However, he stayed at Bologna, and his performances have seemingly caught City’s eye as they seek to find a centre-back who can come in and play straight away in Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Jhon Lucumí’s strengths as a centre-back could slot into the Manchester City squad

As a player, Jhon Lucumí is a left-footed centre-back who at 27 years of age is in the prime years of his career. He stands at 187 centre metres tall. But he is very good in possession and his range of passing is exceptional for a centre-back. Lucumí plays an exceptional long ball and that attribute could slot into Pep Guardiola’s squad. He also keeps possession well with his short passing and he does help Bologna progress the ball up the pitch with his passing game. He also shows excellent composure and he doesn’t seem to be rushed when under pressure.

Defensively, Jhon Lucumí is a quick centre-back and he is strong in a duel. He reads the play exceptionally well and his ability to intercept possession does catch the eye. His strength helps him in a challenge and that particular attribute of Lucumí’s does seem suited to the Premier League. The one knock on Jhon Lucumí is his strength in the air as he isn’t the best in an aerial challenge. That could hold him back in the Premier League, but all told there is enough quality in Lucumí’s game to suggest he could play a role in Pep Guardiola’s squad. The chart below gives a brief indication of Jhon Lucumí’s strengths and weaknesses as a centre-back.

Summary.

My question is this: Is Jhon Lucumí a realistic target for Manchester City? If Marc Guehi isn’t eager for a January move, City does need another experienced center-back. Jhon Lucumí does fit the bill as a left-footed centre-back who is good on the ball, and he is strong in a challenge. That would work. My concern is his apparent weakness in the air, given how the Premier League has evolved. If City does need to find another centre-back that isn’t Marc Guehi, I’m not fully convinced that Lucumí is a player who could play a prominent role for Pep Guardiola’s side. Although it is easy to see why City has him shortlisted as a target given his obvious strengths as a player.