Manchester City are reportedly set to sell defender flop Eliaquim Mangala.
Manchester City’s Eliaquim Mangala
According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala is expected to leave the club on a permanent basis this summer.
City splashed the cash to sign French international centre back Mangala from Porto back in the summer of 2014, with The Guardian reporting at the time of his signature that he cost £32million.
After a number of defensive issues and a host of poor signings, City felt that the powerful and athletic Mangala was the man to lead the club’s defence for years to come, having starred with Porto following a 2011 move from Standard Liege.
However, Mangala struggled to make an impression in the Premier League, as he turned in a number of error-strewn performances, and after 64 appearances in two seasons, City decided to let Mangala move on.
City sent Mangala out on loan to Valencia this season, and whilst he has played regularly for the La Liga outfit, he remains an error-prone defender with poor awareness, and whilst he has all the athletic traits, his marking has let him down for some time.
The Manchester Evening News report that City are now expected to sell Mangala this summer, but Tottenham Hotspur should be avoiding making a move having been linked last summer.
Manchester City’s Eliaquim Mangala looks dejected
Back in August, ESPN reported that Tottenham were considering Mangala as a possible replacement for Kevin Wimmer, but when the Austrian stayed, Mangala moved on to Valencia instead.
Wimmer, 24, may push for a move this summer given his lack of first-team football this season, and whilst Mauricio Pochettino may want a left-footed centre back to replace him, Mangala is not the right option.
His physical abilities would make him appealing, but Mangala has already shown himself as a defender lacking the quality and awareness to play for a top Premier League club, and the 26-year-old has shown little sign of eradicating his mistakes.
Factor in that Mangala isn’t good enough in possession to play in Tottenham’s style of football, and Spurs must avoid moving for the French international – even if City are looking to sell him on this summer.
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