Why Valentino Livramento is the perfect solution to Manchester City's right-back puzzle

Manchester City's pursuit of a new right-back has led them down the path of Newcastle United's Valentino Livramento.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Livramento features in a four-man shortlist as the Citizens look to address the right-back position prior to the FIFA Club World Cup commencing.

In light of Kyle Walker's loan switch to Milan in January, Pep Guardiola was forced to tinker without the presence of a specialist right-back, resulting in Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis deputising in the position.

Neither Nunes or Lewis are considered long-term solutions to the Walker void and with the England international set to depart the club on a permanent basis in the coming weeks, a new right-back is high on the agenda for Man City.

Flamengo's Wesley is reportedly of interest to the former Premier League champions, while Juventus duo Nicolo Savona and Andrea Cambiaso are also believed to be on the club's radar.

Purchased in a deal worth up to £40m from Southampton in August 2023, Livramento is the most expensive option of the quartet, but with good reason.

If Manchester City can stump enough cash to even tempt Newcastle into a sale, we've outlined why Livramento would be a perfect fit within Guardiola's system.

Defensively proficient

There's such a great degree of expectation on the productivity of a full-back in modern football that the art of defending is often overlooked and arguably goes under the radar when assessing the quality of an individual.

Livramento has consistently churned out defensively solid performances throughout the entirety of Newcastle's campaign and the 22-year-old is formidable in one-on-one duels.

Flaunting explosive pace and marvellous athleticism, Livramento nullified Mohamed Salah to the point of anonymity in Newcastle's League Cup triumph and has successfully neutralised some of the Premier League's finest wide men.

Positioning is another one of his strengths, although the Croydon-born defender has the speed and stamina to make excellent recoveries, which draws comparisons to Walker and his ability to foil an opposition attack when City had been breached.

A lack of intensity has compromised Guardiola's men this season and Livramento has it in abundance.

Adept at playing on either flank

Viewed as the heir to Kieran Trippier's right-back throne at St James' Park, an injury to Lewis Hall resulted in Eddie Howe shifting Livramento to left-back and the former Chelsea academy product has been one of Newcastle's standout performers ever since.

Despite averaging 10 fewer touches per match on the left side, Livramento has created more chances from his alternate position.

It's not as though Livramento has been marauding down the flank, cutting inside and crossing with his stronger right foot. The former England U21 star, who made his senior international debut against the Republic of Ireland in November, has willingly navigated to the byline and demonstrated increasing confidence with his left foot.

Being strong with both feet has enabled Livramento to evolve into a more rounded package and his versatility is a welcome addition for any manager, whether you're Howe or Guardiola.

Improving attacking output

Able to progress the ball effectively through either a pass or dribble, Livramento has developed into an increasingly influential component in Newcastle's chance creation.

His running strength and technical ability help Howe's men to transition into the opposition third and Livramento ranks prominently across Europe's top five leagues for progressive carrying distance and progressive passes.

While the volume of Trippier's assists during his stint on Tyneside make for an unfair comparison, the quality of Livramento's chance creation was particularly telling in the League Cup final at Wembley, with the full-back hoisting a teasing cross to the back post which allowed Jacob Murphy to tee Alexander Isak.

An attack-minded player, Livramento has taken great strides to improve his output in the final third.

Scratching the surface of full potential

When Livramento missed over a year of action after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Southampton's Premier League fixture against Brighton in April 2022, doubts were inevitably raised if he would be able to live up to his early promise.

At such a difficult period in his fledgling career, it speaks volumes of Livramento's character that he was able to emerge stronger from the setback.

Newcastle decided to take the gamble upon his return from injury by spending lavishly on Livramento to lure him from the Hampshire coast and the Magpies have been richly rewarded.

At 22, there's still plenty of growth left in the full-back.

Newcastle are thoroughly aware of Livramento's vast potential, which is why Manchester City are likely to find it extremely difficult to prise him from the North East.