Manchester City are yet to convince Jamie Redknapp of their Premier League title credentials, with the former England international suggesting that ‘Thierry Henry would still fancy himself to score against them’.
The ex-Arsenal striker was one of the most fearsome frontmen in world football at the peak of his powers, but is now 39 years of age and has been retired for two years.
'Judge vulnerable City next season'
Redknapp comments may have been made in jest, but he is not the first to question City’s defensive unit this season.
Pep Guardiola’s side are considered to be fragile, with Claudio Bravo yet to convince between the sticks, John Stones still over-playing at times and Vincent Kompany enduring more injury struggles.
It is not only at the back that City look to be light, though, with there few options available to them at the opposite end of the field.
Sergio Aguero is currently serving a four-match ban following his reckless red card in a disappointing defeat to Chelsea, and Nigerian youngster Kelechi Iheanacho is having to provide cover in his absence.
The 20-year-old has impressed since forcing his way into the first-team set-up, but Redknapp believes a club of City’s standing should not be relying on a youngster to help keep a top-flight challenge on track – especially as they are yet to address other issues.
He wrote in a column for Sky Sports ahead of a meeting with Arsenal on Sunday: “I'm really not too confident about City's defence after the last few games. I think Thierry Henry would still fancy himself to score against them, so I'm not sure how they will cope against Alexis Sanchez!
“And that's not the only area of their team that concerns me. When you think about how much they have spent, they have definitely left themselves short up front as well. They are asking Kelechi Iheanacho, who is just 20 years old, to fill in for Aguero.
“I know he's a good player but it's a lot to ask for a young player to come in and save the day. It's a very difficult role that one up front on your own, so the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva will have to help him out on Sunday.”
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