This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Of course, they would never say so publicly but it is hard to believe that Manchester City are not presently ruing their decision this summer to abstain in replacing their departed leader Vincent Kompany.

An early chasing of Harry Maguire eventually led to the Premier League champions baulking at the firmly-set price tag and while many observers expected subsequent targets to follow none were forthcoming. Instead City seemed content – or at least amenable – to going into the new season with what they already had.

There was Aymeric Laporte, a magnificent Rolls Royce of a defender. There was Nicolas Otamendi, an erratic loose cannon who only applied himself well when tethered to the calming presence of either Kompany or Laporte. There was John Stones, injury-prone and infuriatingly either imperious or a complete liability. And, for a fourth option, Fernandinho could be converted from a midfield 6 to centre-back in the same manner that Mascherano was reimagined under Guardiola at Barcelona.

A seismic long-term lay off for Laporte endured against Brighton in September changed everything, and since the loss of their most effective stopper City have been all at sea.

A calamitous defensive showing at Norwich resulted in a costly defeat while Otamendi’s shortcomings were ruthlessly exposed by Wolves at home. So far this term City have conceded 13 league goals, eight more than at this stage last year and the word is out that the formerly formidable Blues are decidedly shaky at the back.

It is not a crisis – not yet – but it’s certainly in the same postcode and a feeling persists that unless something is done about it City could very well slip from contention in the Premier League.

Here are three possible solutions to the growing crisis…

Sign Nathan Ake

A further complication to add to Pep Guardiola’s woes lies in the fact that the construct of his squad means that unless a ‘home-grown’ defender is sought it would require the selling of a ‘foreign’ player from his present contingent.

Having come through the Chelsea ranks, Nathan Ake qualifies as home-grown despite being a Holland international and with the club having already recently taken a keen interest in the Bournemouth star he is clearly someone who Guardiola admires.

The 24-year-old who boasts several years of top flight experience ticks every box but he comes at a price – a whopping £75m is what Bournemouth value him at, per Sky Sports.

Develop Eric Garcia

An alternative to a January transfer lies in the emergence of City’s teenage prodigy Eric Garcia. The accomplished La Masia graduate may only be 18 but his accomplished trio of first team performances have had City fans drooling over what is to come.

His innate reading of danger and excellent use of the ball has seen him compared to Gerard Pique and though his age unquestionably makes any fast-tracking a significant risk, would he be any less of a gamble than playing the unpredictable Otamendi?

Back three with Kyle Walker

Given the ease at which City cruised past Crystal Palace without fielding a single recognised central defender during a 2-0 win at Selhurst Park last month, it’s unlikely that Guardiola will be feeling compelled to make any drastic changes to his lineup. Fernandinho and Rodri marshalled the defensive unit with genuine authority while simultaneously allowing City to exert a frightening territorial advantage over the hosts.

But Palace’s meek resistance is not what City have to worry about and their most recent fixture against Liverpool laid bare some of their defensive frailties. Perhaps the solution, at least in away fixtures against some of the best sides in the division, is to revert to a system that incorporates three central defenders, with Kyle Walker dropping in to offer his physical prowess and previous experience.

The full-back thrived in a similar role during England’s route to the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup, and his familiarity with what’s required could help Guardiola implement a new system.