There’s little doubt Leonardo Bonucci is a superb defender. But his transfer to the Etihad might not toughen the Manchester City back line.
The world watched twice as Manchester City transfer target Leonardo Bonucci and Juventus accomplished the Herculean: The Italians conceded no goals to mighty Barcelona during the two legs of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.
Yesterday, City officials and fans were among the observers impressed by Juve’s resolution and steel when it comes to defending the triple-head monster that is Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi.
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So it’s hardly a surprise that today’s rumors are full of renewed interest in City making a move for Bonucci. ESPN cites an unnamed source that says the club has made the center back its top defensive transfer priority for the summer.
Well, that’s all fine and dandy, I suppose. For me, questions linger about whether Bonucci’s addition can turn City into a real title contender in both domestic and European football.
There of course is the age issue. Bonucci turns 30 in May. Should City acquire him, how much longer will he be a world class defender?
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There’s another more important prospective problem that people are overlooking too.
I’m not sure Bonucci is compatible with Pep Guardiola‘s tactics.
His success is a product of unique circumstances and a footballing culture. In Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus wields key cogs in the Italian national team’s defense. Unsurprisingly, the “Old Lady” also possesses the Italian mindset when it comes to football.
Gli Azzurri is renown for its commitment to well-organized, defensive-mind tactics. The famous Catenaccio literally means “door bolt.” While the sweeper and man-marking typical of it are seldom employed now, this sort of tough, defense-first mentality pervades the Italian national team.
It has led to to the international triumphs that Buffon, Chiellini, Barzagli and Bonucci have all taken part in during the last decade. Beyond that, however, is they experienced it together. They have years of chemistry playing with one another.
Transplanting one or even two of these players to another club might not necessarily duplicate Italian fortitude at the back for the Etihad.
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Furthermore, that old-fashioned, hard-nosed defending is also not typical of Guardiola’s sides. His center backs are well, like Gerard Pique of Barca. He expects them to pass prettily out of the back and move fluidly throughout his dynamic system. That’s not the Italian way of doing things to which Bonucci is accustomed.
So temper expectations if Bonucci leaves Juve for City this summer.