Troy Deeney has claimed that Manchester City have made a signing that solves a problem they’ve had for a “long time”.
Manchester City have strengthened their ranks considerably this summer and, alongside the signings they made in January, the squad is looking solid and strong.
Indeed, Pep Guardiola’s side ran out 4-0 winners over Wolves in their Premier League opener on Saturday, and the new signings all did well.
Although Tijjani Reijnders was by far the best on the day, Troy Deeney believes another of City’s new boys did well enough to suggest he’s solved a big problem in the squad.
Rayan Ait-Nouri deemed Manchester City’s left-back solution after long-term struggles
The player in question is Rayan Ait-Nouri, who joined City from Wolves earlier this summer and has given a good account of himself so far.
Ait-Nouri defended well against his former side, showed his quality in possession and overall impressed against tricky opposition.
Deeney, writing on BBC Sport, named Ait-Nouri in his Team of the Week as he said: “Ait-Nouri handled the game excellently against his old club.
“He was defensively solid and offered a load going forward.
“They have managed to find that left-back solution, which they have struggled with for a long time.”
Wolves expert shares what Manchester City fans can expect from Rayan Ait-Nouri long-term
BBC Radio West Midlands’ Wolves correspondent Mike Taylor recently told Man City fans what they can expect from Ait-Nouri this season.
“The best of Ait-Nouri is his confidence carrying the ball at close quarters, and his keen running whenever afforded room,” said Taylor.
“His pace is obvious at all times, but crucially it is his pace with the ball that marks him out.
“The point of difference between an in-form Ait-Nouri and some of his type in the Premier League is where he runs to – directly, wherever possible.
“Ait-Nouri at his best was always more likely to try to beat a defender than avoid him, or merely pass the ball backwards.”
