Manchester City have a curious habit of collecting young centre halves, loaning them out, and then waiting to see who emerges from the other side. The...
Manchester City have a curious habit of collecting young centre halves, loaning them out, and then waiting to see who emerges from the other side. The question is, when does the waiting end At the Etihad, the focus remains firmly fixed on the search for Pep Guardiola's successor, but tucked away in the background is a defender who many inside the club still believe has the tools to make the grade. Vitor Reis is coming back.His season long spell in La Liga was never going to be a headline grabber, but it was always intended as a vital seasoning. Reis has spent the campaign learning the art of defending in a league where the low block is a religion and transitional play is the only prayer. He has had to deal with tricky wingers cutting inside, and strikers who thrive on scraps. It is the kind of education that cannot be replicated in Premier League 2 or a Carabao Cup cameo. The question is whether he has taken enough on board to convince the incoming manager that he is worth a proper look.City's defensive structure is not exactly crumbling. John Stones and Ruben Dias are the established partnership, while Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake provide reliable cover. Yet there is a sense that the club's recruitment model has shifted. They are no longer just buying ready made stars; they are attempting to cultivate them. Reis fits that profile entirely. He is a ball playing centre half with decent recovery pace and a willingness to step into midfield. The raw ingredients are all there. The challenge for City is finding the minutes to let him cook.The boy in question will return to Manchester this summer with a point to prove and a first team squad that is not getting any younger. If the new boss favours tactical flexibility and a back three, Reis could suddenly find himself in the mixer. If not, another loan move might be the order of the day. Either way, the club have not forgotten about him. They have simply been patient. The next move is Reis's to make. Let us see if he has the nerve to grab it.
