Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he anticipates a few more new faces at the Etihad Stadium before the transfer window closes.
Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, forward Nolito and Ukrainian starlet Oleksandr Zinchenko have all completed moves to Manchester this summer but the Catalan coach has so far been left frustrated in his bid for defensive reinforcements.
Aymeric Laporte was a target but he has opted to remain at Athletic Bilbao and so far City’s attempts to land John Stones from Everton have proved fruitless, although it is understood the England international is keen to make the switch.
Vincent Kompany’s continuing injury problems have heightened City’s need to bring in some more bodies in defence but Guardiola remains relaxed over the situation.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager feels Fernandinho can slot in at the back if required and he is still confident a few more deals can be done before the window slams shut until January.
“I think Fernandinho can play in 10 different positions, because he has the quality to play wherever,” Guardiola told reporters. “He can play there [in defence], he is quick, aggressive, intelligent and strong in the air.
He has the quality to create good build-up play and can play a forward pass, so I think he has the quality to play there.
“Fernando can also play there, but maybe he is not as quick as Fernandinho.
“So at the end of the window, we will have to sew which players we have, but I think a lot of the midfield players we have here can play at the back, and when that happens the build-up play is much, much better.
“We need to create good build-up play, with easy passes in midfield, to achieve good passes for our strikers further up the pitch.
“I think by August 31, we will have the right players to play the way we want.” Manchester City are 3.50 to win the Premier League outright and star striker Sergio Aguero is 4.50 to be the top goalscorer next season.
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