Manchester City’s ideal XI following the January window

Virgil van Dijk

It’s not just at full-back where City have issues, they also have them at the heart of the defence.

Vincent Kompany is persistently injured, Aleksandar Kolarov is just not good enough, while Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones always have an error in them.

Thus, Guardiola should do all he can to bring Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk to the Etihad Stadium.

The Dutch international has been excellent at the back for the Saints this season, and has arguably been the best centre-back in the league thus far.

He has everything needed to be a successful centre-half in English football, as he is strong aerially and in the tackle, reads the game well, organises his defence at crosses and set pieces, and is also excellent with the ball at his feet.

City need quality defenders to sustain a title challenge, and van Dijk is certainly one of those.