Manchester City are suddenly facing a problem they did not expect to have at this stage of the season. For a team that has dominated English football for years and is known for its deep squad, calm planning, and tactical control, the current situation in central defence feels uncomfortable. Injuries have hit at the worst possible time, and now serious questions are being asked behind the scenes. The biggest one is simple but worrying. Have Manchester City already found an alternative centre-back to sign if their main target, Marc Guehi, cannot be secured?
The issue started when Ruben Dias went down with injury. Dias is not just another defender in Pep Guardiola’s team. He is a leader, a organiser, and the emotional heartbeat of the back line. When he is missing, City do not just lose quality, they lose authority and calm. Soon after that blow, Josko Gvardiol also picked up an injury. That was another massive setback. Gvardiol has become extremely important to Guardiola’s system because of his ability to defend aggressively, carry the ball forward, and play out from the back under pressure.
With both Dias and Gvardiol unavailable, City immediately found themselves short of experienced centre-backs. Normally, John Stones would be the perfect solution. He has played at centre-back, right-back, and even in midfield under Guardiola. But Stones is also injured, and there is no clear return date. That uncertainty makes planning extremely difficult.
Nathan Aké is available, but there is a problem there too. Aké has struggled with fitness issues for a long time. His body does not always allow him to play every three days, especially in a season packed with domestic and European matches. Guardiola has to manage him carefully, and that means Aké cannot be relied upon to carry the defence alone for weeks on end.
All of this has left Manchester City exposed. At a crucial stage of the season, when trophies are on the line and pressure is rising, City are thin at the back. This is not a situation Guardiola likes. He values control more than anything, and defensive stability is a big part of that control. That is why the club has been looking closely at the transfer market.
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi has emerged as Manchester City’s number one target. Guehi fits many of the things Guardiola looks for. He is Premier League proven, comfortable on the ball, calm under pressure, and strong in one-on-one situations. He is also a leader, which is something City badly need right now. But transfers are never simple, especially in January.
If Palace are unwilling to sell, or if Guehi himself is not keen on a mid-season move, City cannot afford to wait and hope. They need a backup plan. And according to new reports, they may already have one.
A report from Italy has suggested that Bologna centre-back Jhon Lucumí has caught Manchester City’s attention. The Colombian defender is now being spoken about as a possible alternative if the move for Guehi fails. This has sparked debate among City fans and analysts alike. Who is Jhon Lucumí, and is he really the right man for Pep Guardiola’s system?
Lucumí is 27 years old, which means he is in the prime years of his career. He is not a young project signing, but he is also not someone at the end of his peak. For a January signing, that age profile makes sense. City need someone who can come in immediately and cope with the demands of the Premier League.
One of the first things that stands out about Lucumí is that he is left-footed. That alone makes him attractive. Left-footed centre-backs are rare, and Guardiola values balance in his defence. Being left-footed allows a defender to open up passing angles more naturally on that side, which helps City build attacks from the back.
Lucumí stands at around 187 centimetres tall, giving him decent physical presence. He is not towering, but he is not small either. More importantly, he is very comfortable on the ball. At Bologna, he plays in a system that requires defenders to be brave in possession, and he has shown that quality consistently.
His passing range is one of his strongest attributes. Lucumí can play sharp short passes to maintain possession, but he is also capable of hitting long, accurate balls to switch play or break opposition lines. This ability would fit nicely into Guardiola’s style, where centre-backs are often the first playmakers.
Another impressive part of Lucumí’s game is his composure. He does not panic under pressure. When pressed by attackers, he remains calm, looks for solutions, and rarely clears the ball aimlessly. That calmness is essential at Manchester City, where defenders are expected to invite pressure and then play through it.
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Defensively, Lucumí is quick across the ground. He reads the game well and often steps in to intercept passes before danger develops. His anticipation allows him to break up attacks early, which is something Guardiola values highly. He is also strong in tackles and does not shy away from physical battles.
His pace helps him recover when the defensive line is high, something City do regularly. Playing with a high line is risky, and defenders must be quick and intelligent to avoid being caught out. Lucumí appears comfortable in that kind of setup, at least in Serie A.
However, no player is perfect, and there is one clear concern when it comes to Lucumí. His aerial ability is not his strongest area. He is not dominant in the air, and that could be a problem in the Premier League. English football still places a lot of emphasis on set pieces, crosses, and physical duels in the box.
Teams facing Manchester City often look to exploit any weakness from corners and free kicks. If Lucumí struggles aerially, opponents would target him immediately. This is where doubts begin to creep in. City already have defenders who are not always dominant in the air, and adding another could increase vulnerability.
This raises the big question. Is Jhon Lucumí really a realistic target for Manchester City, or is he simply a name on a long shortlist? On paper, he ticks many boxes. He is experienced, technically strong, composed, and left-footed. Those qualities alone explain why City would be interested.
But Manchester City do not just sign players who are good. They sign players who are perfect for the system. Guardiola is extremely demanding, especially with defenders. He expects them to understand complex positional play, take risks in possession, and recover instantly when things go wrong.
Marc Guehi, by comparison, is already proven in the Premier League. He understands the physicality, the pace, and the tactical challenges. Lucumí would need time to adapt. January signings rarely get much time, especially when they are brought in to solve an emergency.
Another factor is ambition. Would Lucumí see a move to City as a chance to fight for a starting role, or would he accept being a rotation option once Dias, Gvardiol, and Stones return? Guardiola does not want unhappy players, and any signing must be mentally prepared for competition.
There is also the financial side. Bologna know Lucumí’s value has risen. They would not sell cheaply, especially in January. City are willing to spend, but they also want value. If the fee climbs too high, doubts about his suitability may outweigh the benefits.
From City’s perspective, having Lucumí on the shortlist makes sense. It shows they are doing their homework. They are not putting all their hopes on one deal. They are preparing for different scenarios, which is exactly what a top club should do.
Still, there is a feeling that Lucumí would be more of a safety option than a perfect fit. He could do a job. He could provide cover. He could help City get through a difficult period. But whether he could play a prominent role in the biggest matches is less certain.
This is why Marc Guehi remains the priority. If City can get him, they will push hard. If they cannot, they will have to decide whether a player like Lucumí is worth the risk, or whether they should look elsewhere entirely.
What is clear is that Manchester City cannot ignore their defensive situation. Injuries have forced their hand. The coming weeks could define their season. Every decision matters, and every signing will be judged heavily.
Jhon Lucumí may not be the name City fans were expecting to hear, but his emergence as a possible target tells a bigger story. It shows that even the best-run clubs can be forced into uncomfortable decisions. It shows that depth matters. And it shows that January can still surprise everyone.
Whether Lucumí ends up at the Etihad or not, one thing is certain. Manchester City are watching closely, planning carefully, and preparing for every outcome. The defence must be fixed. The margin for error is gone. And the pressure is very real.
