Manchester City: Why a Kalidou Koulibaly transfer makes sense

Manchester City must make a statement of intent with their defense to ensure a season like this never happens again.

From an editorial standpoint, I had been opposed to giving real credence to the rumors linking world-class Napoli and Senegal central defender Kalidou Koulibaly to Manchester City.

At 28 years of age, widely considered to be among the world’s best at his position, and being more of an anchor than a Pep Guardiola-style ball playing center-back, it just didn’t make sense. While I had always thought Koulibaly was an excellent player, it just is not the typical City transfer. The club tends to target elite-level young prospects and developing them into the world’s best players, with the high point of their careers coming in Manchester.

However, this has been the very issue that plagues the City defense in a spiralling 2019/20 campaign. While the board have found success in just about every attacking and midfield signing they’ve made, only Aymeric Laporte has truly lived up to his hefty pricetag in defense. Questionable signings such as Eliaquim Mangala, and yes, John Stones, have left the central defense in tatters.

While City are experts at identifying top attacking talent and slotting it into the system, it is time to stop guessing at the back. This team was crying out for a central defender even before the injury crisis lead to a 14-point gap in the Premier League after 16 matches, following the departure of captain Vincent Kompany this summer. The 33-year old Belgian displaced Stones during City’s epic 14-match winning streak to win the title last season, and it is a frightening but true thought that he would walk into the current side if he was still at the club.

City have been reduced to playing midfielders in central defense, and there is a clear, identifiable issue which presents two possible avenues: the academy or the market. Guardiola has repeatedly shown a refusal to play youngsters such as Eric García or Taylor Harwood-Bellis over a 34-year old traditional midfielder, and also ruled out any January signings, but something must give.

Instead of guessing on a young English transfer such as Stones that fits the club’s domestic requirement, it is time to not go cheap and get the best. City had the chance and were not willing to meet the £75 million price tag Liverpool paid for Virgil van Dijk, and this is what separates the two sides at the moment. They also passed on the chance to sign 19-year old Matthijs de Ligt, one of the world’s hottest prospects in central defense this summer.

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Koulibaly may not be the “typical” City transfer. He may not be perfect playing the ball out from the back. But he is an out-and-out force who could have a Van Dijk-like impact and completely alter the City defense. This team is crying out for an anchor at the back, and signing Koulibaly would be a true signal of intent: this season has not been good enough, but we will not go quietly and simply allow Liverpool to waltz to glory. Just as Van Dijk joined the Reds in January and immediately led them to back-to-back Champions League finals (winning the latter), Koulibaly could be just the player City need to fulfill their ultimate objective.

Vincent Kompany wasn’t the ideal Guardiola central defender either. However, towards the end of last season, even at 32 years of age with an injury-riddled last few seasons, his command of the backline made City the feared team that picked up 198 points in two seasons. With Napoli languishing in Serie A, and at 28, the Senegalese defender has one big move left in him. His impact on this team would be unquestionable, and when Laporte returns, the Blues would arguably have the world’s best partnership with two of the five best center-backs, a far cry from the current state.

However, this all remains a pipe dream until the board decides to act. It will require a record fee. Pay it. It will cause more moans from rival fans of “buying the league” and Financial Fair Play investigations. Accept them with a wry smile. The time has come for this club to address the one thing holding it back from ascending to the heights it deserves, and this season could just be the drastic shock that spurs Manchester City to make a historically-significant move.