The arrival of Jerome Boateng means Roberto Mancini now has seven centre-backs to choose from. Here Mike Whalley looks at who could start the campaign at the back for the Blues.
Jerome Boateng
Age: 21. H: 6ft 3in.
Signed from: Hamburg, £11m, July 2010.
Primarily a centre-half, but can also slot in at right-back, and proved willing to play on the left for Germany during the World Cup. His versatility gives Roberto Mancini a number of options in defence.
Kolo Toure
Age: 29. H: 6ft 0in. Signed from: Arsenal, £12m, July 2009.
Quickly established himself as club captain following Richard Dunne’s departure, but had a wobbly first season. Was caught out of position too often, and will be looking for improvement this time around.
Joleon Lescott
Age: 27. H: 6ft 2in. Signed from: Everton, £24m, August 2009.
Price tag put a lot of pressure on his shoulders, but he was really starting to look the part when a hamstring injury in the warm-up at Fulham in March finished his season and his England World Cup hopes. Refreshed and raring to go.
Vincent Kompany
Age: 24. H: 6ft 4in. Signed from: Hamburg, £6m, August 2008.
The Belgium international was arguably City’s most consistent centre-back last season, a clear signal of his versatility. His ability to play in midfield or defence could prove invaluable when injuries and suspensions bite.
Dedryck Boyata
Age: 19. H: 6ft 2in. City Academy graduate
A member of City’s 2008 FA Youth Cup-winning side. Given his first-team chance in January when Kolo Toure was away at the Africa Cup of Nations, and ended up playing in both legs of the Carling Cup semi-final against neighbours United. Still learning.
Micah Richards
Age: 22. H: 5ft 10in. City Academy graduate.
Pressed into service as a centre-half just once last season – in the 1-1 draw at Wigan in October – and has made no secret of the fact that he sees right-back as his natural position. He did, however, partner Richard Dunne in the middle of defence throughout Sven-Goran Eriksson’s reign.
Nedum Onuoha
Age: 23. H: 6ft 0in. City Academy graduate.
Had his longest run in the side at centre-back during the second half of Mark Hughes’ only full campaign in charge, but hardly got a look in last term, and may well have moved on by the time the new season kicks off.
Which is your ideal centre-back combination? Have your say.
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Boateng and Lescott. Pip.. Pip..
Our best back 4 at this moment in time in my opinion would be RB:Boateng CB:Onouha CB:Kompany(c) LB:Lescott
toure im afraid does not feature for me, he should and could be on his way, either that or a regular place on the bench.
This is easy, first choice pairing is Lescott & Kompany, with Boateng and hopefully Kolorav at full back.
Kompany and Lescott is the best pairing for me, if Boateng is to play right-back.
I suspect Toure may start, though. Great strength in depth there even if one or two leave - especially considering Yaya is well capable of playing CB.
anyone but Toure!!
It's Kompany and Lescott for me.
Lescott looked more settled from the turn of the year until he got injured. He has had his op now and hopefully fit and ready ?
Boateng at right back.
Sorry Kolo !
For me there is only One combination based on last seasons performance Kompany and Lescott/Toure. Kompany is the only sure starter for me as he was fantastic last season and is still a young player and learning.
another none story
wow gives us a new insight, not
write about something we don't already know
There is no doubt we have class at the back although still not convinced we have two full backs who can do the business, know what they are doing and who are competent in those positions i.e. can they actually tackle. As for centre backs Vinnie was outstanding last term but not sure he can repeat that level again, only time will tell age 24.
The main issue is the same one as for the team generally, great individual talents but how quickly can we get an understanding of each other on and off the pitch and will we have a settled side with the number of games expected and barring injuries? Lescott looked good at the end of the season prior to injury but its all back to square one with these guys.
Kompany, Boateng & Lescott should be competing fro CB spot. Keep Boyata for cover. Keep Micah for RB cover for Maicon and Bridge as LB cover for Kolarov. Then get shut of the rest
Kompany, Boateng & Lescott should be competing fro CB spot. Keep Boyata for cover. Keep Micah for RB cover for Maicon and Bridge as LB cover for Kolarov. Then get shut of the rest.
Lescott and Kompany would be my first choice pairing.
How come "Nervy Ned" is shown so high up in the pecking order?
Sell Richards, loan out Boyata.
Boateng/Zab-Kolo/Kompany-Lescott/Onouha-Bridge/Kolarov(?)
My starting line up would be (based on Kolarov signing)
Hart-Boateng-Kompany-Lescott-Koloarov-A Johnson-Yaya-De Jong-Silva-Tevez-Ade
Bench: Given-Toure-Onouha-Barry-Bellamy-SWP-Santa Cruz
Kompany's true position is central midfield, only an average Premiership centre back goes to ground too quickly and gets out jumped too easily for a player of his size.
Not one as good as Wes
Would be a shame to lose Ned - a better player than Toure in my opinion. My first choice would be Kompany and Lescott with Ned providing coverfor these two as well as right back. Richards is right - he should concentrate on being a full back but will need to improve on last year - I don't think he's as good as Ned in that position..
didn't realise Micah Richards was only 5'10!
for me,at this moment in time,with everyone fit and the current squad as it is, i would play Kompany and Lescott in the centre. they were starting to build up a good understanding until Lescott got injured,and given a good run together, could form the sort of defencive solidity we had with Distin and Dunne at their peak together,and then improve on that. It is important to our ambitions that we settle on a preffered pairing and stick to it (injuries and suspensions excepted)!
I would have Lescott as left sided CB, Kompany as right sided CB, hopefully Kolarov as LB and Onuoha as RB, I'm still not convinced by Micah at RB although he may come good this year if he gets his chance. Also not convinced by Kolo Toure, he seemed quite slow at CB, will he improve? Should he stay as Capt? Not capt material for me, I would have Kompany as Capt.
oh yeah, forgot Boateng...doh! He'll be at RB with Neddy as cover/cup runs
Rob South Stand Blue, Crewe: will that team win the league? Doubtful....
I would expect 1st choice back four at start of season: Boateng, Toure, Kompany, Kolarov with Lescott, Richards, Bridge etc appearing as form/suspensions/injuries happen. As article says Kolo was not always 100% dependable player last year and will be tight between him and Lescott. However since Yaya is rumoured to be new Captain I would expect his brother to be given a place at the start of the season.
I'd be looking at starting with Lescott and Kompany. As it states Toure made too many errors last year. If Lescott finds the form he had last year and Kompany can cut out the very few errors he can be prone to we'll have a solid centre back partnership who should be pretty difficult to break down. Both good headers of the ball with plenty of pace and the ability to bring the ball out of defence.
Kompany and Lescott with Kolo at RB, if he has to have a place and Boateng LB. Swap Boateng with Kolo if we buy Kolorov. Kolo to the bench please.
This question emphasises Bobby Mancs big problem.
With so many players who do you pick? And more importantly solving a problem of keeping happy who you don't pick.
In reality the team will begin to pick itself as players settle in and have time to play together but.....................
Unless City are very lucky it will not happen overnight.
Therefore don't let the expectation bubble over.