After it was announced yesterday that Manchester City had signed a second defensive recruit in the past week, which of the sides current ranks could be set for the chopping block at Eastlands next season?

The Premier League’s big spenders completed the signing of Arsenal target Stefan Savic from Partizan Belgrade having already sealed a swoop for the Gunners former left-back Gael Clichy.

20-year-old Savic has signed a four-year contract; the same duration afforded to Clichy, and joins the club ahead of their debut season in the Champions League. The youngster can operate at centre or right back, much like outgoing City defender Jerome Boateng.
 
So with the new signings in place and undoubtedly more to be linked in defence, which City players will be deemed surplus to requirements before the start of the 2011-12 campaign?

One player who is all but certain to keep their place in Roberto Mancini’s back line next season is Vincent Kompany. The Belgian was one of those tipped to move on from the City of Manchester Stadium upon the Italian’s arrival, but last season was arguably the side’s player of the season. No mean feat in a year which saw them finish third, qualifying for the Champions League in the process, as well as lifting the FA Cup.

The 25-year-old played in all but one of his sides Premier League games last term, winning 70% of his aerial duels, the best out of the clubs centre backs. The Belgium international made a crucial 2.7 tackles per game, along with 2.4 interceptions. He topped City’s ranks when it came to shots blocked (0.9) and also clearances made, averaging a mammoth 9.1 per game in that regard. In Manchester City’s passing system the defender also showed his more than capable skills in terms of ball retention, completing 86% of the 48.1 passes he averaged per outing.

Kolo Toure’s future at the club was thrown into doubt earlier this year after the Ivorian failed a drugs test and was subsequently suspended from first team action at City. A ruling has since been made meaning he will miss the entire pre-season but return in time for the next campaign, and the 30-year-old will be hoping to return as captain of the side alongside Kompany at the heart of the City defence.

Prior to his suspension, Toure was a mainstay under Mancini, skippering the side in the league early on and making 21 starts in the opening months. The former Arsenal man’s stats failed to measure up to Kompany’s in terms of aerial duels won (56%), tackles made (2.2), interceptions completed (1.8), shots blocked (0.5), and clearances, although his average of 7 per game is still an impressive statistic and second best in the side.

However, the centre back whom may fear for his future at the club the most this summer is Joleon Lescott. The England international completed a big money transfer from Everton two years ago but has failed to cement a regular starting berth since.

Add to this the fact that his stats in a defensive sense are inferior to both Kompany and Toure, and the 28-year-old may see his chances limited further by new arrivals. In 20 starts last season, Lescott won a higher percentage of his aerial duels than Toure (69%), but was beaten in terms of tackles made per game (1.4) and interceptions (1.3).

The signing of Savic may well provide cover for the likes of Kompany and Toure, but also puts pressure on right back Micah Richards and utility defender Pablo Zabaleta who started 16 and 21 games in the league respectively last term.

Richards, 23, completed a team high of 72% of his aerial contests while Zabaleta won 55% of his duels. The England man also had a higher pass success rate with 83% compared to the Argentine’s  79%. However, in terms of tackles made per game, Zabaleta, 26, completed a team high of 3.1, way ahead of Richards total of 1.6. The Argentina international also eclipsed Richards in terms interceptions made and again, scored a team high of 2.7 a match in contrast to Richards figures of 1.1.

Where Micah Richards tender age may save him from the City axe, Zabaleta may well be kept due to his versatility in a number of positions, but both will have a fight on their hands to stay in the starting XI, or indeed the squad for that matter.

Gael Clichy joins the club from top 4 rivals Arsenal and will no doubt be expecting a starting role at left back having signed a long-term deal at Eastlands. However, his place is far from certain with competition coming from the likes of Aleksandar Kolarov who Mancini signed just last summer.

The Serbia international endured a tough start to his Manchester City career, struggling for match fitness due to a number of injuries. The 25-year-old began to impose himself on the side in the latter half of last season and ended up with 20 starts to his name in his first season in the Premier League.

The former Lazio man will have a test on his hands to keep his place next season after showing inferior stats to Clichy in the majority of regards. The then Arsenal defender won 51% of his aerial duels compared to Kolarov’s pretty weak 41% and also saw a higher percentage of his passes reach their target (80% - 77%).

Clichy topped the Gunners ranks in terms of average tackles made per game in his 33 appearances with 3.4, double the figure of his new teammate and left back rival from last season. In contrast to Kolarov, the 25-year-old Frenchman also completed over triple the amount of interceptions per game (3.2 – 1), a superior number of clearances (4.5 – 3) and more blocked shots (0.3 – 0.2).

One player who is all but certain to leave the club this summer is Wayne Bridge who was shipped out on loan to West Ham last season and will be behind both Clichy and Kolarov at left back next season, but who else will be packing their bags?