The £57 million Frenchman looked a superb buy for Manchester City on debut.
Aymeric Laporte of Manchester City looks on
Aymeric Laporte made his debut for Manchester City last night, one day after making his record move to the club from Athletic Bilbao.
The Frenchman looked well and truly the ‘Rolls-Royce’ defender that Pep Guardiola requires to strengthen his current batch of centre-back options.
Aymeric Laporte of Manchester City
He looked calm and composed in possession and his distribution from the back was exemplary, showcasing a sweet left-foot that will give City plenty of options going forward.
The question that will be on many a City fan’s lips after seeing his display will be simple, can he play alongside John Stones. The England international has certainly come on leaps and bounds under Guardiola’s stewardship and has looked in good form this season for the Citizens. But he and Laporte are so alike and are both so relaxed on the ball, you wonder how they would fair as a partnership – especially against high pressing sides such as Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur.
John Stones of Manchester City
In reality you see one of them playing alongside the more no nonsense defenders Nicolas Otamendi and Vincent Kompany if City are to be successful. If that is the case, both these young and supremely talented defenders might just have to learn that sharing is caring under Guardiola’s rule.
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