A young defender waits while Dias and Guehi carry the load
Manchester City’s defensive spine has been built on Ruben Dias and Marc Guehi this season. Enzo Maresca has leaned on the pair heavily, and the workload is starting to show.
There have been signs of fatigue in both centre-backs. That makes the lack of minutes for Vitor Reis all the more curious.
The 20-year-old Brazilian has made just two appearances for City this season. One was a start in the 5-0 Carabao Cup win over Norwich City. The other was a one-minute cameo at the end of the 4-1 victory at Crystal Palace.
Reis is not yet ready for a prominent role. But he showed during a loan spell with Girona in La Liga last season that he can play. The Brazilian international was, by common consent, the best young centre-back in that league.
Tonight City face AEK Athens at the Etihad in their third Champions League league-phase fixture. They could be without five key players. Josko Gvardiol is expected to start at left-back and drift forward as he has all season.
Reis will likely have to wait a little longer. He is pencilled in to start the fourth-round Carabao Cup tie against Brighton next week.
For now, Dias and Guehi keep going. The question is how long they can.