Laporte to lay down a marker as new season looms at City

AYMERIC Laporte is delighted with not one but two decisions he has made about City as he prepares to assert himself in the starting line-up.

He may be grappling with an international dilemma as he weighs up switching allegiances to Spain after jealously watching France win the World Cup, but he could not be happier at club level.

Having taken the bold decision to reject the chance to work with Pep Guardiola in 2016, Laporte was courted again and arrived this January for £57m a more rounded player.

Already, the defender feels precisely at home.

“It’s been a great move, a perfect move for me,” he said.

“Pep is the best manager in the world, he’s always looking to help me get better and improve my game.

“He’s demanding, yes, but it’s not scary – his is a style of play that I really enjoy and I think I can improve and so can the team playing like this.”

It is instantly easy to see what Guardiola sees in Laporte when he’s on the pitch.

From his debut against West Brom in the Premier League, the stylish defender was starting moves from the back, either passing through lines or arcing crossfield balls for his team-mates.

There is stiff competition at centre-back, though, and the World Cup has both helped and hindered Laporte.

John Stones had a tremendous tournament, answering all of the questions that were asked about his ability as he headed to Russia.

Vincent Kompany overcame an injury setback to underline the fact that he remains an excellent defender, while Nicolas Otamendi has blossomed over the last year.

If Laporte – who missed the Dortmund game with a slight knock – can continue to show his personality in the two upcoming games, he stands an excellent chance of starting the Premier League campaign in the team.

The opportunity is there for the former Athletic star to lay down a marker.