Pep Guardiola names two Man City left back options amid 'surprise' selection hint

Pep Guardiola suggested Manchester City could field a few surprises at left-back this season after missing out on Brighton's Marc Cucurella.

Chelsea are set to sign a left-back City had lined up for most of the summer after the west London club met a valuation that the Blues were not prepared to —meaning Txiki Begiristain must find an alternative for this window if they are to replace Oleksandr Zinchenko as they intended to. Joao Cancelo is currently the only senior player for that position, and he is also doubling up as Kyle Walker's alternative at right-back.

Guardiola has previously converted midfielders Fabian Delph and Zinchenko into left-backs to help the team out. Asked about the current situation, he again cited the options of youngster Josh Wilson-Esbrand and centre-back Nathan Ake but also suggested that there could be other options.

Also read: Guardiola admits uncertainty over Bernardo Silva future at Man City

"Nothing special. We are the same — Josh is there, Joao is there, Nathan can be there, and there are some surprises we can do. We will see; there are still so many days until the end of the month," he said.

"There are a lot of players all around the world. Most of them can suit perfectly with the way the team is. At the same time, transfers are always difficult — maybe selling is more difficult than buying — but in the same time there is an idea and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. If it is not possible, it is not possible. We have the academy and we will see."

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