The left-back position has been nothing short of an issue for Manchester City this transfer window. With the months-long fiasco with Brighton now over after Marc Cucurella signed with Chelsea, City must look at other options to fill this hole in their squad that needs improvement. Currently at left back is Joao Cancelo, a natural right-back who was switched over early in his Manchester City career. In years past, Pep has been forced to adjust with out-of-position players such as Fabian Delph and Oleksander Zinchenko. With the current squad, he would be forced to repeat this same tactic. With Zinchenko heading to Arsenal in a $38.5m deal, there is no backup left-back for Cancelo - a player who is also expected to be a backup right-back for Walker.

    City has internal options, but questions arise as to whether these players will be sufficient enough as the season continues. Josh Wilson-Esbrand has emerged as an academy prospect who can make a name for himself this season. He has shown flashes of first-team potential, specifically during the team’s preseason tour, but it seems that inexperience will play too large of a factor in having a significant role this year. Another alternative at left-back is Nathan Ake, but his lack of experience at the position will also concern Pep Guardiola moving forward. Outside of the squad, there are still some options that City can sign to help improve their team for this season and the years ahead.

    Sergio Gomez, a 21-year-old Spanish left-back, has emerged as a potential target for Manchester City. With six goals and 11 assists for Anderlecht this past season, Gomez has emerged as one of the most promising fullbacks on the market. Through his speed and attacking ability, Gomez is the type of fullback with the assets to contribute to Pep Guardiola’s system. However, reports suggest that he is seen as a project for City and would likely be loaned out. Anderlecht will ask for a fee in the region of €15m for their 2021-22 Player of the Season. A second candidate, who would likely go straight into the first team, is Croatian left-back Borna Sosa. He had a successful campaign last year for Stuttgart as he contributed eight assists throughout the Bundesliga season. Sosa and Gomez have similar attributes in their attacking-based game. Still, Sosa’s experience will make him the likelier candidate to be a part of Pep Guardiola's squad for the upcoming season.

    City will be entering Sunday’s match versus West Ham with only two senior-level fullbacks, so one would hope it will only be a matter of time until someone joins Pep’s squad for the upcoming season