The next step for a young defender is a role in the Manchester City squad | OneFootball

It would not come as a major surprise if John Stones and Nathan Ake departed Manchester City at the end of this season. Both players have been integral components of Pep Guardiola’s squad during their time at the club, but age and constant injury issues have caught up with the pair. If the pair were to depart City this summer, it would open up a spot in defense in Pep Guardiola’s squad. One player who seems ready to make the step up into the City squad is young Brazilian defender Vitor Reis. Vitor Reis has excelled out on loan with Girona this season, and the next step for him is a role in Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Vitor Reis has come on in leaps and bounds this season.

When Vitor Reis joined Girona on loan for the 25/26 season, it was hoped that he’d further develop his game in Spain. The young centre-back has taken the opportunity presented to him at Girona and thrived as a player, so much so that he was recently rewarded with his first call-up to the Brazilian national team. Based on Vitor Reis’ talent and potential, that won’t be his last international call-up for Brazil.

Throughout this season Vitor Reis has been a mainstay in the Girona defence. What immediately catches the eye is how calm and composed the young Brazilian defender is in possession. In statistics sourced from FotMob, Vitor Reis has completed 1277 passes this season in 27 matches this season. Given how Girona play a possession based style of football, Vitor Reis has shone as a ball-playing defender. He has also created 8 chances and added an assist. Being a centre-back that is comfortable in possession is a prerequisite for playing in a Pep Guardiola side. Vitor Reis has this skill ticked off.

Defensively, Vitor Reis oozes class and is a quality defender. He has only been dribbled past 7 times this season, which illustrates how well he defends in one-on-one situations. More important than that, Vitor Reis reads the game exceptionally well, which has stood out for Girona this season. Physically, Vitor Reis does need to develop given the physicality in the Premier League. Playing in La Liga presents a different challenge than playing in the Premier League. Given that Vitor Reis wouldn’t be expected to be a regular starter next season for Manchester City, he is more than capable of being a squad player and playing a role in Pep Guardiola’s squad next season.

The young Brazilian defender looks ready for a spot in the Manchester City squad.

What Vitor Reis’ successful spell in La Liga has shown is that he is ready to take the next step in his career. That next step is a role in the Manchester City squad for next season. The young Brazilian defender is more than capable of fulfilling a role similar to that of Nathan Ake or John Stones in Pep Guardiola’s squad. He is also ready for the step up that comes with being a contributor at Manchester City.

There does look to be a role in the Manchester City squad next season for Vitor Reis. With Nathan Ake and John Stones seemingly set to depart the club this summer, it is easy to see where the young Brazilian defender can fit into Pep Guardiola’s squad. Based on his performances for Girona, he is more than ready to do a job for Manchester City.