“I would like to build his team around him” – Who should keep man city or sell?

City’s defensive defects were not helped by a series of injuries to their senior midfielder.

Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake have lost all the pieces of the season – Akanji and Ake are currently put aside after surgery – while John Stones was limited to only six championship departures.

Khusanov and Reis, who only recently made 21 and 19 respectively, arrived as defensive reinforcements in January, but since they would be wary in making changes on the back change.

“Neither of the four established central locations is close to the mid -1930s,” he said. “The stones are the oldest and turns 31 in May, so I still feel that everyone has a lot to offer. I would be reluctant to let some of them go. With the stones, for example, they just have to put it in shape.

“If the club considers them all subject to injuries, then this is a problem. But in the same way you cannot simply get rid of all that experience, because you need it in that position. A situation next season in which Khusanov and Reis are at the midfielder would be a little worrying.”

There is further uncertainty about the future of Kyle Walker, on loan at AC Milan, and goalkeeper Ederson, who last year took into consideration a move in Saudi Arabia before engaging in another countryside at Eithad.

“The club could get great money for Ederson to finance purchases, but then they should have replaced it,” he added.

“There are certainly other positions that should look at. Ederson is a brilliant goalkeeper, who is so vital for the way they play from behind. I don’t think there is another custodian in the world that is better with the ball at his feet.

“He is only 31 years old, so they remained many years at the highest level – I was 33 years old when I joined the city, so I wouldn’t hurry out of the door – they should try to keep it if possible.”