If there is a club that knows all about centre-back struggles, it is Manchester City.
Over the past decade, City have invested heavily in their problem position, yet more often than not, things just haven't worked out.
Last season though, the issue appeared to have been resolved. The formidable partnership formed by John Stones and Ruben Dias saw City's defence look as solid as it's ever been, and with the duo aged 27 and 24 respectively, it's a partnership that could last for years to come.
However, trouble may yet be on the horizon. After Pep Guardiola confirmed last week that up to four players want to leave the club, it has been widely reported that Aymeric Laporte is among the want-away stars.
The Spanish international was a revelation at the back for City in 2018/19 and 2019/20, but limited game-time last season has left him restless and keen on a move.
With four years left on his contract, City should be able to demand a sizeable fee for the two-time Premier League winner. However, should a suitable offer materialise and he is sold, City would be left looking threadbare in a department that was arguably overcrowded only a few months ago.
If Laporte follows Eric Garcia out the door, Nathan Ake would be left as the Blues' only reserve centre-half. 12 months ago that might not have seemed such a bad situation, but the Dutch defender has struggled since his £41 million move from Bournemouth last summer.
Last term Ake made only 10 appearances on his way to picking up a Premier League winner's medal, and when he did play he looked far from convincing. A shaky performance in the 5-2 defeat to Leicester set the tone early on, and after returning from groin and hamstring injuries that sidelined him for much of the season, he was at fault for two of the goals City conceded at Newcastle.
The last-minute penalty Ake conceded in Saturday's Community Shield loss to Leicester has done nothing to help his case. The number six bundled over former City striker Kelechi Iheanacho in the penalty area at the end of a game in which he looked uncomfortable alongside Dias.
Regardless of Ake's struggles, heading into a new season with only three recognised central defenders is always risky business. Given the fixture pile-up that comes around Christmas and the second half of the campaign, all it would take is an injury or two to see the trophy trail run cold.
While Fernandinho is more than capable of dropping back into defence if need be, when he did so in 2019/20 City desperately missed his presence in midfield.
It might be the case that City had a potential solution right under their noses. 17-year-old Callum Doyle had Sunderland fans raving after his professional debut on Saturday. If Guardiola finds himself in desperate need of a centre-back option, a recall from loan could be on the cards.
Of course, this could all be a storm in a teacup. As things stand the Blues have received no serious offers for Laporte, but it does raise the question of whether a new centre-back should have been higher on their transfer wishlist this summer.
With John Stones having only just returned for pre-season, it's expected that Ake will start in City's league opener against Spurs on Sunday. How he performs in the wake of his recent gaffe will go a long way towards either easing or intensifying City's defensive concerns.
What do you think about City's central defensive situation? Follow our new City Fan Brands Writer Alex Brotherton on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
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