The Manchester City fans were distraught in the Transfer Tavern last Wednesday, after they saw their captain Vincent Kompany limp off against Newcastle United at St James’ Park. 

Injuries consistently dictate the progression of a players career, and unfortunately for Vincent Kompany, his progression has been stifled by a handful of niggling injuries that have continued to come back to haunt him in recent years. The Belgian international has made a grand total of 322 appearances for Manchester City during a career which will be ten years old next August, but only 9 of those appearances have arrived this season.

Just when the Citizens propping up the bar start to believe that Kompany has finally shaken off his injury woes, he manages to suffer another setback. His time as a Premier League footballer looks set to come to a bitterly disappointing conclusion after everything he has achieved for the club.

With that being said, it is no surprise that The Daily Telegraph believe City are considering a move for either West Bromwich Albion’s Jonny Evans, or Real Sociedad’s Inigo Martinez.

Considering Evans plies his trade as captain of Premier League rivals West Brom, Guardiola is surely likely to have more success in his pursuit of Martinez in the midseason window.

However, City’s defensive unit have looked assured, confident and determined this season, so Martinez would have to bide his time before getting an opportunity at the heart of City’s defence in the event that he joins City in January.

With that being said, here is how City’s defence will line up after the purchase of Martinez.

LWB: Benjamin Mendy

A serious knee injury curtailed Mendy’s first season in England after his then world-record move to the Etihad from Monaco and it’s scary to think just how good the Sky Blues will be upon his return to full fitness.

Indeed, at Monaco last season, the French international showed he was one of the best left-backs in Europe, stretching defences with his runs from deep and displaying some rather pinpoint crossing ability. With so many runners in the City attack, having him back in full flow will be wonderful.

CB: Nicolas Otamendi

Otamendi’s improvement under Guardiola this season has been simply phenomenal, and Martinez will have a job on his hands trying to shift the Argentine from his in central defence.

Last season, Otamendi was widely dubbed as a liability by fans and pundits alike, but he has eliminated the costly mistakes that previously tarnished his reputation.

Now Otamendi is one of the first names on Guardiola’s team-sheet, and barring a serious injury to City’s brick wall, he will retain his place in the event of Martinez’s arrival.

CB: John Stones

Playing alongside Otamendi in central defence, John Stones has been another one of Guardiola’s great individual success stories of the season.

Following his big-money move from Everton in 2016, the 23-year-old struggled to adapt to his new surroundings at The Etihad in his first season.

However, his below-average performances now feel like a distant memory as he really began to justify his huge price tag earlier in the season.

After a lengthy spell on the sideline through injury, the City fans will be looking forward to welcoming Stones back to the starting line-up next month.

CB: Inigo Martinez

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM7RU9yTV58

Classy and composed on the ball, the 26-year-old would be an ideal fit for a back three. While Kompany has ssometimes looked too slow for that system, Martinez’s fantastic reading of the game and assured presence would pretty much give Guardiola two more central midfielders flanking Otamendi, with John Stones the other.

Able to start attacks from deep, he’d be a great fit.

RWB: Kyle Walker

Kyle Walker has made the right-back position at City his own since he joined from Tottenham Hotspur last summer.

The signing of Martinez should do nothing to change that since as he is not comfortable in that position as a naturally left-footed player.

As marauding full-backs go, Kyle Walker is about as good as they get, and his ability to race up and down the pitch has proven to be one of City’s greatest weapons so far this season.