One player that was the surprise package in Manchester City’s impressive Premier League campaign was Ukrainian Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has excelled in his role at left-back after being moved back from an attacking position. It has been impressive to see him flourish in the full-back role that he was converted to last season, and despite concerns over the defensive aspects of his game, Zinchenko had the trust of manager Pep Guardiola who persisted with him, and that confidence in the Ukranian has paid off.
An incredible stat after City’s final day win against Brighton was their win record when Zinchenko has started: in the 14 games that the Ukranian played for City this year, the Premier League champions won each of those games.
While this may be down to coincidence and the fact that City lost just 4 games in the entire season, it also shows that Zinchenko has improved in defensive areas.
Should he be first-choice left back next season?
The 22-year-old had a pass percentage of 92.2% this season for City, while also completing an average of 2 tackles and 1.8 interceptions per game. Like most midfielders/wingers converted into defenders, Zinchenko’s key strength lies in attack, but his versatility in attack is his strong point.
Able to put in crosses from wide areas, or shift in-field in the inverted full-back role that Fabian Delph has played in at left-back, Zinchenko is adept at both positions. Like most creative players, he is a quick passer of the ball and has adequate pace to push past the opposition to deliver teasing balls in the box, or even support the midfield and fill in the central areas.
Benjamin Mendy was supposed to be Guardiola’s first-choice left-back, but the Frenchman has struggled with injuries since his switch to the Etihad in the summer of the 2017-18 season and it is still uncertain as to when he will return. Delph has done a good job at left-back too, but the Englishman could be one of many players that could leave City in the summer.
Mendy is likely to be fit in time for next season but given the application and dedication Zinchenko has shown this season especially after nearing an exit last summer, Pep is likely to reward him with the left-back role at the start of next season.
Unless Guardiola signs a new left-back, which is looking unlikely at the moment, Zinchenko will be the first choice left-back. And going by this year’s stellar performances, the former Barcelona manager will be confident that the 22-year-old could make the position his own and his words definitely point towards that.
Zinchenko has made very few mistakes – though he can improve in the defensive aspect of his game, and could ultimately turn out to be one of the shrewdest and best buys ever for Guardiola at just £1.8 million.
