Player audit shows need for squad 'surgery' in January

CITY LOOK A PLAYER SHORT IN DEFENCE, MIDFIELD AND ATTACK

- ALEX JAMES

CITY are in the somewhat unfamiliar position of requiring some squad surgery.

The Blues have a few players coming towards the tail end of their careers at the elite level and look short in a couple of key positions.

There is no lack of quality at Pep Guardiola's disposal and injuries have not helped this season, but as the January transfer window looms there is a compelling case for City to act in a market where they have been conspicuous by their absence in recent years.

You have to go back to Aymeric Laporte for the last time City went out and signed a first team player in January but with Premier League and Champions League aspirations on the line in a season longer than any other, the chequebook may have to come out in a few weeks.

We take a look at how City's squad looks and what might change over the remainder of the window in our audit of the player inventory.

GOALKEEPERS