Man City have a wildcard answer to their problem situation, and Pep Guardiola has already given it the green light

Manchester City is reviewing their right-back alternatives following Kyle Walker’s departure, although one man has yet to play in that position.

As Hugo Viana scours the market for a new right-back for Manchester City, one major question will be what qualities Pep Guardiola seeks in his ideal candidate.

The Blues were interested in Newcastle United full-back Tino Livramento earlier in the transfer season, but the deal now appears to be impossible to complete. Newcastle’s financial situation improved as a result of its Champions League qualification.

That has pushed City back to the drawing board, and the right-back market for this summer appears to be quiet. There is no clear prospect to replace Kyle Walker, who has held the post since joining from Tottenham for £50 million in the summer of 2017.

City are unlikely to make a deal until the right player becomes available, therefore there is a strong probability that they will look inside their team for a solution. Guardiola’s team is already too large, so buying a right-back for the sake of it is unlikely to be well received internally.

Matheus Nunes has been the most frequently deployed of those internal remedies since Walker’s form dipped early last season. The converted midfielder has performed pretty well in the role, but there are flaws in his game that are unlikely to improve.

Rico Lewis, who has played right-back in 40 of City’s 94 games, is the other apparent possibility. He had a terrible season last season, and his red card against Wydad AC wrecked any hopes of gaining momentum in the Club World Cup, but he should improve again if the club around him is more consistent this season.

The other probable choices are central defenders by trade, although Guardiola has been content in previous seasons to play natural centre-backs at full-back. He might be content to do so on the right given that Rayan Ait-Nouri is providing more attacking width on the left.

John Stones and Manuel Akanji have both played right-back, although Abdukodir Khusanov, 21, is also an option. The £33.8 million January addition has made 10 appearances for the Blues, spending the majority of his time at centre-back, although when the deal was announced, Guardiola mentioned his versatility to play on the right.

“People say he’s a potential player for the next years since we don’t just sign players for one season. “They have big years ahead,” he remarked.

“So we decided to do it. He possesses attributes that we do not have. I’m confident he’ll aid us.

“He’s young and will learn like Vitor, but it’s best to do it in the summer during preseason. He is a potentially valuable player for us.

“He can play center back in the middle, right back, and in a three-man backline. Various positions.

One of Khusanov’s greatest qualities is his speed, which makes him a potentially intriguing replacement for Walker, whose recovery pace has been a huge asset to City over the last eight years.

Guardiola acknowledged in January that Khusanov’s speed would not “solve our problems,” but added, “It can help us.” The Uzbek remains a player with raw potential, as City has seen in the last six months, but he could be worth a shot in a position that Guardiola is struggling to fill.