Could Girona’s Brazilian full-back Yan Couto a player Manchester City can afford to take a chance on next season? The Brazilian international has impressed on loan with La Liga surprise packets Girona as they’ve risen to third on the La Liga table. With the Brazilian full-back set to return to Manchester City at the end of the season, does his future lie at the world champions or elsewhere next season?
A recent report from Mundo Deportivo, which was relayed by Sport Witness, indicates that Couto is set to return to Manchester City this summer. Furthermore, they report that Couto’s future needs to be decided in the near future. The Brazilian international’s contract with Manchester City expires at the end of the 24/25 season. Mundo Deportivo further reports that Couto is waiting to meet with Pep Guardiola this summer before he makes a decision on his future.
Is there a potential role for Yan Couto at Manchester City?
There could be a potential role for Yan Couto at Manchester City. On paper, it seems that Manchester City will be in the market for a right-back in the near future. With Kyle Walker getting towards the end of his career, it does appear to be a position of need for the world champions. Outside of Kyle Walker, the champions have Manuel Akanji and Rico Lewis, who can play at right-back.
When compared to Lewis and Akanji, Couto has a different set of skills he could bring to Pep Guardiola’s squad. The Brazilian full-back has immense quality going forward. Across 36 appearances in all competitions, he has scored 2 goals and added 10 assists for Girona this season. If Pep Guardiola was in need of an attacking right-back in games next season, Yan Couto could fulfil that role. As an attacking player, the young Brazilian could add something new to the City squad. He can also play on the right of midfield if required. That versatility may be something that could see Couto potentially have a role in Pep Guardiola’s squad.
But as a right-back, there are deficiencies in Couto’s game. He isn’t as well rounded defensively as he is going forward. The defensive side of his game remains a work in progress. If Couto were to find a role in the Manchester City squad, he would need to improve this side of his game. Given his defensive frailties, he would be more of a squad player than a regular first team player at this stage of his development.
Yan Couto’s future will become a topic of interest this summer.
Yan Couto’s future will become a topic to watch for this summer. Whether or not he can force his way into Pep Guardiola’s squad remains to be seen. It does appear that there could potentially be a role for the Brazilian full-back at Manchester City. He has served a sizable apprenticeship during various loan spells since he arrived at the world champions. It does appear that this summer will be make or break for the Brazilian international at Manchester City. If he doesn’t make the grade at the world champions, he will likely fetch a tidy transfer fee this summer, which would be an added bonus for Manchester City.
