Why Manchester City Should Consider Loan Move For This €15m Star

The 21 year old Serbian who was signed by Roberto Mancini to partner Kompany in the heart of Manchester City’s defense is certainly living in interesting times. He is wanted by a host of clubs, like Juventus and Roma who are keen to sign him in the January transfer window. He is held in high regards in Italy, because it was in the Italian Serie A that he made his name. Though he hasn’t been in the regular startup this season, he was a fans favorite when he first signed with City and has spent just two seasons.

Signed in 2012 for €15 million, with Stefan Savic going the other way, the Serbian quickly became a first team player, forcing Lescott to the bench, based on his series of fine performances for Man city. He was quick to win the club’s player of the month for November 2012 and went on to win the “Young player of the Season” the following May. Few doubted his potentials and his synergy with Kompany was in tandem. City had the best defensive record that season and it was hoped that the team would build on that. Maybe it was the fact that Mancini was no longer at City; mere speculations, but Nastasic’s form dropped the next season and he cut a forlorn figure on the pitch. Errors (the tangle between Nastasic and Hart which led to Torres scoring the only goal in their league encounter at Stamford Bridge comes to mind) kept creeping up and it almost cost city the title.

Also Nastasic suffered from injuries which kept him out most of the time. By the time he was back, City had already signed Demichelis as a quick stop gap to the leaking defense. It became difficult for Nastasic to regain his place in the team, and during the summer, City acquired the services of Eliaquim Mangala, and so far, he has proven to be a quality signing. And Nastasic didn’t do himself any favor when he started for City against Arsenal at the Community Shield. Yes, City had a makeshift defense in place, but his performance certainly didn’t impress Pellegrini, and he has failed to nail a starting spot so far this season.

I believe a move will favor Nastasic, but albeit, this move must be temporary, a loan in essence. He is a young talent and still has years ahead of him and it will be foolhardy for City to sell him off now. City should take a cue from Chelsea, in regards to their loan system. Thibaut Cuortois spent almost 4 years out on loan at Atletico Madrid before coming back to replace the ageing Petr Cech. Kompany is not getting young, and give or take, in the next 4 or 5 years, his best years would have been behind him. And Mangala would still be in his prime, who best to partner Mangala if not Nastasic. Selling Nastasic will be a pretty dumb idea, but letting him leave on loan to get more playing time will help City’s cause in the not too distant future.