Defence Is Manchester City's BIggest Area of Concern Ahead of 2016/17 Season

Manchester City are already feeling the effect of having Pep Guardiola as their manager.

The club made a significant statement when they announced that the most sought-after manager in the game had agreed to join them this summer. The role of the manager is vital, and City managed to land one of the few who can have his pick of clubs when he decides he needs a new challenge. It was a huge moment in the club’s recent history.

His arrival has galvanised what was an ailing squad. During the club’s pre-season tour of China, Gael Clichy said, per the Sun:

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In a short period of time, he’s shown us how great he is. Of course, being great doesn’t mean having results, but everyone is looking forward to this season.

The young players are improving, we're improving. We don't want to say too much because one manager isn't going to change the whole club.

We all know the way he wants to play and it's not for me to tell you what he wants. It's very good. It's very impressive. It's fresh and he has new ideas.

"

Their pre-season plans have been somewhat compromised. Their tour of China wasn’t ideal. It opened up commercial doors that are vital in securing new revenue streams, but the stifling heat saw training sessions impacted, and one of their two arranged matches, against Manchester United, was cancelled. They travelled more than 10,000 miles in total and played just one game.

In the glimpses we’ve seen of City under Guardiola, though, it’s clear he’s having an impact. City are playing with a newfound intensity, both with and without the ball. It’s in stark contrast to the City we saw limp to the finish line last season.

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There’s positivity among the squad again. Per Sky Sports, Fabian Delph said:

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So far, he has been unbelievable with everyone. From day one, he knew everybody's name. He makes you feel good about yourself and makes you want to do well and push on.

He seems like he's been wanting to come to the Premier League to showcase his skills for some time and I'm really excited to have him here now.

"

Perhaps the clearest sign of the Guardiola effect came this week when the club announced the signing of Gabriel Jesus. Brazilians have a hit-and-miss record in the Premier League (as City know only too well), and there are no guarantees the 19-year-old will be a success. But the fact remains City have landed a player who was wanted across Europe.

For the first time, they’ve gone toe-to-toe in the transfer market with Europe’s elite sides and won.

But Guardiola isn’t a miracle worker, and there are still holes in the squad. Of their five signings so far this summer, only three are ready to play for the first team in the first half of the season, and one of them, Ilkay Gundogan, is currently out with a dislocated kneecap.

Oleksandr Zinchenko may very well be loaned out while he continues his development, and Jesus won’t arrive from Palmeiras until December. Marlos Moreno could be the next through the door, but he, too, is likely to be loaned out.

As yet, no defenders have arrived, although Jason Denayer has returned from his loan spell with Galatasaray. Given City’s defending lacked solidity and cohesiveness last season, that must surely be a worry for the City staff.

Their pool of defenders each come with problems. At right-back, Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna are both in their 30s and on the decline. Zabaleta performed poorly last season, while Sagna was consistent without being brilliant. Guardiola’s success at Barcelona and Bayern Munich has seen him play with marauding full-backs. Neither Zabaleta nor Sagna can be bracketed as such.

And it’s a similar situation on the opposite flank. Gael Clichy, 30, is homegrown and, when fit and in form, remains a viable option, but Aleksandar Kolarov is too often a liability and could be axed.

In the centre of defence, they have Vincent Kompany, whose injury record is a huge concern, Eliaquim Mangala, who has failed to settle in the Premier League, Nicolas Otamendi, who underwhelmed in his debut campaign, and Denayer, an inexperienced but talented young player.

City’s ambitions demand strength in depth in every area. Right now, that cannot be said for their back line.

John Stones is a target, per the Manchester Evening News, but as yet Everton and City remain apart in terms of valuation for the 22-year-old. He's likely to cost around £50 million, a handsome sum for one so young.

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Stones isn’t the finished article, either. On the ball, he’s superb, but he continually has lapses in concentration that would need ironing out.

He tends to keep the ball for too long in dangerous circumstances—overplaying and putting his side in danger. However, there’s too much natural talent there to ignore, which is probably why City want him so desperately.

Guardiola is likely to experiment with three at the back, as he did briefly in China. City’s players will need to get used to being flexible tactically. Can they handle it?

There are, however, some young options in City’s academy who could alleviate their defensive problems. Angelino’s career looked to be going backwards after a questionable period on loan at New York City, but he has looked much improved in pre-season and could be set to fight Clichy and Kolarov for a place in the side.

Pablo Maffeo looked superb at right-back against Bayern, while Tosin Adarabioyo, a wonderful centre-back prospect, was the best player on the pitch against Borussia Dortmund before slotting home a penalty in the shootout win.

It would be particularly sweet if Adarabioyo were to emerge and become a first-team regular. A Mancunian who has been at City since the age of nine, he’s a player liked right across the City Football Academy. He’s quick, comfortable in possession and reads the game superbly for an 18-year-old.

Clearly, City’s defence is a concern going into the new season. Guardiola is a fine tactician and he demands every ounce of energy from his players. That alone is likely to see City improve this season.

But managers need top players to win silverware. Defence is very often key. Building upon shaky foundations makes things difficult.

Guardiola needs reinforcements at the back or he faces the prospect of falling short in his debut season at the Etihad Stadium.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and follows the club from a Manchester base. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.