Manchester City: Leonardo Bonucci would be perfect signing for Pep Guardiola

Manchester City have been linked with Leonardo Bonucci once again after the center-back reportedly had a falling out with Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri.

Manchester City have been rumored to have an interest in signing Leonardo Bonucci ever since Pep Guardiola arrived at the club. Last summer was when the links initially surfaced, but now there are reports of renewed interest in the Italian.

Bonucci remained with Juventus last year with no move ever materializing, and that seemed to be the end of that. But now City could again be interested in signing the defender after a fallout in Turin, according to The Sun.

Bonucci is currently in the bad books of Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri, and was left in the stands on Wednesday as the Old Lady took on Porto in the Champions League. Now the Juventus boss has claimed the issue has been resolved. But nothing’s ever that straightforward, is it?

Chelsea are reported to be City’s biggest competition for Bonucci. Blues boss Antonio Conte knows the center-back well from his time with both Juventus and the Italy national team. A reunion between the two could make Chelsea even better than they already are.

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It is City, however, who need Bonucci the most. Right now, Bonucci is the best signing the club could make. Guardiola must improve his defense in the summer, with both full back positions, a goalkeeper and a center-back surely being in line for upgrades.

Bonucci may only fill the center-back role, but he would also bring the kind of leadership and organization that is so lacking with Vincent Kompany often injured. John Stones has raw talent, but can make rash decisions at times.

What Stones really needs is somebody alongside him who is going to talk to him and guide him through games. Over time, the Englishman will learn to make his own decisions. But right now, he needs a steady, experienced and calm head next to him.

Bonucci arriving would not only fill one center-back role, but it would also make Stones better in the position alongside him. It would also provide a leader in the backline for the full back positions, if Guardiola decides to sign younger players in those areas.

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City’s defense is by far the team’s biggest letdown by a country mile. It needs not only better individual players, but it needs a leader. An organizer. Bonucci is exactly what Guardiola needs back there to help sort out the mess that so often lets his team down.

Whether Bonucci actually leaves Juventus in the end is another question entirely. The summer is still months away. But if an exit is on the cards, then Manchester City should be right at the front of the queue.

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