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Man City’s defence would transform for the better by signing this consistent 31-year-old from PL rivals

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Why Jonny Evans would be a smart fit at Manchester City

Back in December 2017, the Telegraph had claimed that Manchester City were interested in signing Jonny Evans, who was then playing for West Brom. However, no deal materialised and the defender joined Leicester City following West Brom’s relegation from top-flight last year.

Jonny Evans, 31, has been a consistent performer for Leicester City and is currently helping the club break into the top six this season. He was one of the unsung heroes during the Foxes’ 2-1 win over Tottenham at the King Power Stadium last weekend.

It was always set to be a big season for the Northern Ireland international, following the high-profile departure of Harry Maguire to Manchester United in the summer. With Wes Morgan in the twilight of his career, there is an added responsibility on the shoulders of Evans.

Despite turning 31, the ex-Manchester United defender has plenty of years left in his tank and could be tempted to play at the highest level. That being said, Manchester City should look to raid Leicester for Evans in January.

Following the departure of Vincent Kompany over the summer and injuries to Aymeric Laporte and John Stones, Pep Guardiola has been forced to field Fernandinho and Nicolas Otamendi as his central defensive partnership.

While City are yet to concede following the shock 3-2 loss to Norwich City in the Premier League, the matter of fact is injuries to Laporte and Stones has affected the club’s recruitment plans given they had long intended to sign a central defender in summer itself.

Evans would be a fantastic fit at City. The Northern Ireland international has proven his class over a number of years at the highest level. He is a cool and composed centre-half and commands the back-line with a certain sense of authority. Due to his ability to play out from the back with ease, Evans could seamlessly slot into Guardiola’s starting XI.

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At 31, the Northern Ireland international wouldn’t break City’s bank. In return, he’ll not only add quality to the squad but also depth to Guardiola’s depleted defensive options.

Verdict

Landing Evans may seem unlikely in January given Leicester’s quest to break into the top six, but City should at least look to register their interest and hope that Champions League football and a role as a key player can make them into an attractive proposition for the highly-experienced defender.