Pep Guardiola ruled out the signing of another Manchester City left-back and does not expect any more arrivals after Sergio Gomez.
City sold Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal on the basis that they would replace him, but lost out on top target Marc Cucurella when they refused to meet Brighton's valuation and Chelsea stepped up to pay £62million. Joao Cancelo shone in that position for City last season and started there at West Ham, but strength in depth is a concern with Cancelo and Kyle Walker the only two senior full-backs in the squad.
Guardiola has kept hold of youngsters Josh Wilson-Esbrand and Rico Lewis from the academy, and despite looking at a number of different options the club have now decided not to go ahead with the first-team replacement they wanted after deciding that Anderlecht's Gomez was the best option to meet their needs.
Also read: Inside the training camp where first team trio stunned City academy
City's manager brought up a lesson he learned from mentor Johan Cruyff as he talked up the quality of incoming signing Gomez, having also spoken to Vincent Kompany about the 21-year-old. It appeared telling, though, that he also mentioned the price of Gomez was perfect as he explained the decision to opt against signing a more senior left-back following the disappointment of missing out on Cucurella.
He said: "The moment we couldn't go through with Cucurella because the club decide we wouldn't pay this amount of money for this player, I said 'okay', think about the idea we had before to loan Sergio. We spent time to watch him more. I said 'okay, it is perfect for everything - the price, young player, desire - okay, go for it'.
"He was a No.10 like Alex Zinchenko, now he adapt in that position. When that happens, Cruyff told me all the time that when a winger can play at left-back they will be the best left-back.
"When a holding midfielder can play as a central defender, they will be the best central defender. It's difficult for players from behind to play forward but not difficult for players to play back.
"He was No.10 but had the quality to do it in the small pockets in the middle. After we know him a little bit as a person, and convince him the way he comes. I like when players come here that it's a dream because they give everything for us.
"He's so young, open to learn, I spoke with Vinny about him. He has to improve in some departments, that's why he's 21 and he's going to improve but he's perfect for what we need."
Gomez is set to become the fifth and final piece of the jigsaw in the City squad, with Guardiola not expecting any more additions. John Stones was cited as an option at right-back and the manager reiterated that he would like Bernardo Silva to stay in spite of Barcelona's interest.
"I'm very, very pleased with the team. It's not [big] in terms of numbers but there is incredible versatility and they all have huge quality - even the young academy lads," he said. "The quality is there, they just have to push each other to the next step this season.
"If nobody moves, I think nobody's coming in. Now I have the feeling that if we have a problem with Kyle and Joao we have players who can replace them. That's why Sergio comes. Even Nathan [Ake] can play there.
"In the right you have Kyle, Joao, John and maybe Rico. We don't have a big squad but we have some players who play in different positions quite well. That's why the moment we decide for Sergio, the debate for another left-back was over."
ALSO READ:
