Manchester City: Who will start for Pep Guardiola’s side after January signings?

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Manchester City: Who will start for Pep Guardiola’s side after January signings?

City could do with a right-back – but both defenders they have signed so far are primarily centre-backs.

Brazilian Reis, 19, moved from Palmeiras for £29.6m and Uzbekistan’s Khusanov, 20, has joined for £33.6m.

But will either play immediately?

“At the age of 19, with only 22 senior appearances at Palmeiras behind him, it is difficult to see Reis as anything other than a player for the future, even though he has the capability to play across the back line,” said BBC journalist Stone.

“Khusanov has more experience and understands European and international football. However, he is viewed more as a central defender.

“That said, as with Josko Gvardiol, no-one can be entirely sure what is in Pep’s mind for Uzbekistan’s first Premier League player.

“Gvardiol arrived as an international central defender and is now first-choice left-back, so nothing can be taken for granted with Guardiola.”

Palmeiras wanted to keep right-footed Reis on loan, after he was named in the Brazilian league’s team of the season.

But City insisted he moved immediately – and they say he will join Guardiola’s squad this season.

“I believe he will have no trouble adapting to the City system because here in the youth teams he was always exposed to playing under risk, having to be involved in the build-up play while also defending efficiently, even in one-on-one situations,” Palmeiras Under-20 coach Lucas Andrade told BBC Sport.

Khusanov would seem more likely to play soon – after a rapid rise – but is still unlikely to go straight into the team.

He has played 24 Ligue 1 games for Lens after an £84,000 move in July 2023 from Belarussian side Energetik-BGU.

“He’s a raw profile who needs ironing out,” said Luke Entwistle, editor-in-chief of Get French Football News.

“He’s an unpolished diamond, but one worth taking a punt on because the finer details and tactical understanding can be improved by Pep Guardiola. Forty million euros could look like peanuts in a decade’s time.”

Lens’ British boss Will Still said: “He’s calm, powerful, he’s fast.

“He has very, very impressive potential. Kodir is a tank. He’s impressive physically and athletically.”

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