Pep Guardiola’s time at Man City hasn’t exactly been the dream season he imagined when he took over in the summer. However, there is still time for the club to turn their fortunes around and cheer up the City fans in the Transfer Tavern.

For that to happen Pep will need to strengthen in January. With his strike force looking deadly and his midfield filled with some of the best talent in the world, there is only one place that seems to lack world class ability – the defence.

Whilst John Stones was signed in the summer he still has much to improve on and the likes of Vincent Kompany, who were meant to be helping him, have been injured leaving City short.

It’s a problem that’s dogged them all year and our landlord reckons it’s time to do something about it before it is too late this season.

So, surely then, Man City should sign at least one of these four defenders if they hope to solidify their back line and push for the title in 2017…

Kalidou Koulibaly

Koulibaly has continued to impress at Napoli as they try and push for a Champions League place this season. He could then be the perfect opportunity for Pep to swoop in and sign one of the best defenders in Serie A, not in a Juventus shirt.

With John Stones’ recent troubles and Kompany’s ever going injury crisis, Koulibaly may be the man to stop the goals from going in for Man City.

Serge Aurier

With Sagna and Zabaleta getting on, could Aurier be Man City’s next right back? He has certainly proved himself at PSG so Pep may be interested in bringing him to the Etihad.

He’s had a few scrapes during his time in the French capital but our landlord believes if he can show he has changed his ways to Pep Guardiola then things could work out rather nicely. He’s certainly got talent and just needs to knuckle down with the right club.

José Gayá

Arguably Man City’s weakest area of the team is at left back and the answer could be this man.

The Valencia left back has made a name for himself the last couple of years and it’s easy to forget he is only 21. The Spaniard has been linked with Arsenal by The Mirror recently but Pep may be able to tempt the youngster to move to Manchester instead of London.

If Pep can convince Gaya to come to City then not only would he have signed a great player, he would also get one over on Arsenal – something the City fans will be certainly happy about.

Ricardo Rodriguez

When you talk about best defenders not at a Champions League club, Ricardo Rodriguez is certainly at the top of most people’s list in the Transfer Tavern.

The left back has been wonderful for Wolfsberg ever since he joined in 2012 and he really could be the defender that Pep needs to solidify he defence. Rodriguez also provides an attacking style of play whilst also knowing when to stay back when under pressure.

Agree, City fans? Let us know below!