Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will use Fernandinho as a centre-back next season, according to reports in the local media.
The Citizens are unlikely to match Leicester’s asking price for Harry Maguire, and it means the Brazilian could be utilised in an unfamiliar role next campaign if a new centre-half isn’t signed:
Some supporters think moving Fernandinho into defence isn’t a good idea:
Big mistake… Penalties galore!!
— Kimwetich™ (@gilbertKipp) 5 July 2019
Bad decision. He is not a cb. He can't play cb. He can't tactical foul in penalty area like he does in the midfield. We should go for someone english from burnley or other English teams
— Muhammad Owais Khan (@owaiskhan75) 5 July 2019
— Al (@MCFC2995) 5 July 2019
Not that he needs much practice but Ederson better perfect his penalty shot blocking ability lol
— Jeremy Walker (@JeremyW29876950) 5 July 2019
— Juan Guillermo Monsa (@JuanGui36402486) 5 July 2019
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— Joe (@JoeWarrenB) 5 July 2019
While others trust Guardiola’s judgement:
Pep is the king of versatile
— Jann-Fiete Arp (@ArpJann) 5 July 2019
Nice one. I knew pep wud have a sorted it out already. ?
— Blue Sheikh! (@khamisnajib) 5 July 2019
Mascherano and Javi Martinez weren't cb's and pep made them to be and mascherano was one of the most fouling and reckless dm you'll see. Ferna will be fine he is intelligent enough
— ᗩᗪᗩᗰ. (@CA5W3LL) 5 July 2019
Fernandinho would only be the fourth choice centre-half next season if the attempts to sign Maguire do fail.
John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi and Aymeric Laporte will all be ahead of him in the pecking order, while Eric Garcia could also be another option that Guardiola may look to utilise if the Spaniard is up to the task.
Still, selecting a top-class holding midfielder in another position does seem to be a needless risk, considering City do have the resources to bring in another defender.
