Five players who can provide cover for Fernandinho

WHILE not the most exciting or skilful of players, Fernandinho is without doubt City’s most important player and a lack of cover for the defensive midfielder has proved to be City’s biggest weakness this season.

That role in Pep Guardiola’s midfield is key as Fernandinho’s tireless energy and aggressive tackling protects the City defence and his quick passing allows for more creative forces further up the pitch to work their magic.

With City’s reliance on Fernandinho their lack of equivalent cover in that position, here are five options the Blues boss could consider.

TANGUY NDOMBELE - LYON TANGUY Ndombele is a name that many City fans will already be familiar with after playing a blinder at the Etihad.

When French side Lyon travelled to Manchester for the first round of Champions League games it was expected to be a routine win for City. Instead they slumped to a 2-1 defeat and Ndombele played a massive role in his side’s victory.

Ndombele is a hard working player off the ball who is quick to cover for Lyon’s attacking stars and win the ball back, and in possession he is an intelligent passer, making him well suited to Guardiola’s side.

City have already been heavily linked with the Frenchman and it might not be long until Ndombele is lighting up the Etihad again.

N’GOLO KANTE - CHELSEA FRENCHMAN Kante is perhaps the best defensive midfielder in the world - the only one better than Fernandinho.

He has plenty of the same qualities as the City stalwart with an incredible engine and tenacity in the tackle. Yet despite his ability Kante now finds himself out of sorts at Chelsea, as new manager Maurizio Sarri has opted to play one-time City target Jorginho in Kante’s preferred deep-lying role.

City aren’t adverse to spending big money if they really want a player and there isn’t a better replacement for Fernandinho on the planet than Kante.

DECLAN RICE - WEST HAM UNITED WHILE Kante would be an unbelievable signing, it’s doubtful that Guardiola would want to sign a player to replace Fernandinho outright, immediately. So a more viable target could be West Ham’s young midfielder Declan Rice.

The 19-year-old has flourished under former City manager Manuel Pellegrini this season, putting in several solid displays and giving balance to an attack-heavy side.

Being such a young age would also make Rice a beneficial signing, but he wouldn’t come cheap. West Ham reportedly want £50m.

RODRIGO BENTANCUR JUVENTUS RODRIGO Bentancur is quietly going about his business as a key man in Italian giants Juventus’ midfield.

Bentancur is a tough tackler, classy passer and is very tactically aware, capable of adapting to a number of positions.

The 21-year old would look great in the City midfield but with his contract at the Old Lady running until 2022 it would be a difficult move to pull off.

PHILIPPE SANDLER MANCHESTER CITY PERHAPS the best cover for Fernandinho is already at the Etihad.

Philippe Sandler joined the Blues from Dutch side PEC Zwolle for £2.3m but suffered an injury meaning he missed the pre-season tour of America.

Sandler has caught Guardiola’s eye playing for elite development squad with his turn of pace and nice passing and may end up saving City a big transfer fee in the future.