Pep Guardiola will face new Man City problem when centre-backs regain fitness

Manuel Akanji’s deadline day signing looks like a masterclass decision from Pep Guardiola. The centre-half was recruited due to Manchester City’s central defensive injury woes with Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte and John Stones all sidelined at some point already this term.

Akanji has been nothing short of magnificent, and put in another sterling performance in the 6-3 triumph over Manchester United. City now have five top-tier centre-halves in their ranks.

One of these, Stones, returned from England duty with his hamstring issue last week after playing his last few Blues games at right-back. Luckily Kyle Walker was back fit in time for Sunday although seems to have aggravated his issue again during the contest.

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Laporte came back from injury to feature against United as a substitute although it’s hard to argue that he should come ahead of Akanji or Dias any time soon. But it could lead to an intriguing problem down the line, especially when Stones is fully recovered.

All of Guardiola's centre-backs will all want game time, including Nathan Ake who played the whole match against United. The Dutchman looked set to leave the Etihad this summer before a late turnaround saw him stay for another season.

Despite making his sixth appearance of the term at the weekend, Ake is fifth choice centre-back when everyone is fit, meaning his future opportunities will be limited and potentially throwing his decision to stay at City into question.

The situation also means 19-year-old Luke Mbete’s chances are essentially nil. The club’s packed schedule may hand Guardiola the blessing of being able to chop and change somewhat to keep everyone happy.

But