Manchester City

Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has backed Pep Guardiola to use Abdukodir Khusanov as a "Kyle Walker-esque" right-back now that Manuel Akanji is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Akanji was handed a start at right-back as the Citizens suffered a 3-2 home defeat to Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League playoff tie last week, but he was forced off at half time after sustaining an adductor injury.

Guardiola has since confirmed that Akanji requires surgery and is ruled out for eight to 10 weeks, leaving the Catalan coach with a dilemma over who he should select at right-back during an important run of fixtures.

"It's a massive blow," McInerney told Sports Mole. "Akanji has not had his best season, but it's been very obvious that he's running on fumes and his body's just given up, unfortunately, and said 'enough is enough'.

"Now he's out for essentially the rest of the season. He might be back before then, but that's where it's at. It is what it is. We'll have to deal with it."

Man City, who allowed Walker to join AC Milan on loan in January, are expected to prioritise the addition of a new right-back in the summer, with Juventus's Andrea Cambiaso believed to be one of their top targets.

Lewis? Nunes? Khusanov? Who can solve Man City's right-back dilemma?

In the meantime, Guardiola must ponder whether to continue with Rico Lewis - his only natural right-back option - or Matheus Nunes in defence, although both players have struggled when called upon in recent weeks.

McInerney feels that Lewis remains the "obvious choice" to start a right-back, but there are flaws to his game, as well as Nunes's, and Guardiola may therefore be "tempted" to start 20-year-old new signing Khusanov - who impressed at centre-back in City's 4-0 Premier League win over Newcastle - on the right side of his defence, as he possesses "Walker-esque" pace.

"In terms of [right-back] options, I would say Rico Lewis is the obvious one there," McInerney added. "Matheus Nunes has played there. He might shift someone over like Khusanov. I think Guardiola has already said we'll see if Khusanov can play there.

"I do feel like Rico is much better in a side that keeps the ball, is more progressive. That's very obvious. We played like Man City (against Newcastle) at the weekend and, unsurprisingly, Rico looks a lot better.

"I think he has obvious physical limitations. He's only a small guy bless him, a very talented footballer, but I think he struggles if the team isn't settled to play in a very City kind of way, because at that point he's just running and running, and when games becomes physical end-to-end games, he looks a little bit lost.

Will Guardiola be tempted to select Khusanov at right-back?

"I feel Nunes is a decent option [but] I don't really rate him as a full-back. I think he's got the physicality, but I don't think he really has a defensive instinct.

"I would be tempted by Khusanov locking down that side in a very Kyle Walker-esque kind of way with his pace. Ultimately, City don't play [with a traditional] back four and if Khusanov is at right-back, he's (essentially be) playing right centre-back in the back three when we go forward.

"He'd cover the right channel and if [Nathan] Ake is available, he could cover the left channel, and then you'd have Dias or Stones [in the centre of defence] and Josko Gvardiol can push forward [at left-back].

"I think Guardiola would be tempted to see Khusanov try it [at right-back]. It's going to be a bit of a weakness until we sign someone in the summer because we haven't got our number one right-back. I think the Cambiaso links are very obvious there.

"But I think we have options good enough to get us where we need to be, which is ultimately top four, and who knows, maybe a domestic trophy run."

Man City are next in action on Wednesday night when they endeavour to overturn a one-goal deficit in the second leg of their Champions League playoff tie against Real Madrid, before taking on Premier League leaders Liverpool at the Etihad on Sunday.

Press play on the video at the top of this article to hear the full discussion.

Written by

Oliver Thomas