Angelino Could Still Be Man City's Long-Term Answer at Left-Back

After returning to the club via a buy-back clause ahead of the 2019/20 season, it looked like Angelino had done enough to prove doubters wrong at Manchester City and kick on to earn a role as a starting left-back – or at least a rotation option who'd get a lot of chances.

However, just 12 appearances in all competitions later (including a night to forget at the Etihad in a Manchester derby) the Spaniard was already heading for the exit again. He signed on loan for RB Leipzig until the end of the season, looking revitalised under Julian Nagelsmann as City jump from disaster to disaster on the left flank.

Since linking up with the Red Bull-backed club in January, Angelino has weighed in with a goal and five assists in all competitions from 17 appearances. He looks free once more and has quickly proven his worth in an incredibly exciting squad, helping Leipzig to the Champions League semi finals for the first time in the club's 11-year history.

It's exactly this patch of form that should serve as reminder of his qualities to Pep Guardiola. Just because he can sign another left-back, doesn't mean he should. Instead, if he worked with the talent he has in front of him, he could get the best out of Angelino and solve that sticking point for good.

So, what's allowed Angelino to impress all of a sudden?

To go from being torn apart by Daniel James on a cold night in December just months ago to playing in a Champions League semi-final is about as big a turnaround as a season can has. While he's by no means a one-man team in Germany, he's quickly proven a key addition to Die Roten Bullen and their intelligent attacking style.

The 23-year-old's strengths come mostly on the attacking side of the ball. He's a strong passer of the ball, eager to get forward and support an attack – providing the cross into the box and finding a key pass between the lines. Combine this with Nagelsmann's use of wing-backs and high pressing, and Angelino is allowed to get stuck into a game and focus on his strongest areas.

He averaged 1.5 key passes per game and maintained a pass success percentage of 80.8% in the Bundesliga since joining in January, chipping in with 1.2 crosses per game. This is testament to his contribution in attack and has allowed him to build up an impressive assist tally, but it doesn't showcase for his all-round play.

While he's impressive going forward, Angelino is weaker in defence. He isn't the most physical and gets beaten easily in aerial duels. His tendencies to get forward can also result in him being caught out of position and chasing the game. If he wants to be a success in the Premier League, his defensive actions need sharpening up.

What has allowed Angelino to thrive with Leipzig, however, is the freedom that playing in Nagelsmann's system allows him. Not only is he often deployed as a wing-back and encouraged to press high and join the attack, but he is covered by an incredibly fine-tuned defence and deeper lying midfielders who can shift over to cover him.

Having Dayot Upamecano behind provides a significant confidence boost too; the Frenchman's reading of the game allowing Leipzig to play an attacking game with confidence.

When considering the key principles of both Nagelsmann and Guardiola, they aren't too dissimilar. Both pride themselves on energised, attacking football that sees their side build out from the back and overload teams in attack. With Aymeric Laporte covering behind him at City, Angelino would be able to enjoy more free rein in heading forward without having to worry too much about being caught out.

City have also shown a shift in system in recent games. In possession, Guardiola's side have operated in a 4-2-2-2. Deploying two defensive midfielders not only invites pressure from the opponent which leaves City space in behind, but it again provides more defensive cover for the full-backs to push forward and create an overload. With a number of high profile players at City not having long left - David Silva has gone, and Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho are unlikely to be too far behind - now is the perfect time for a slight tweak in play.

Reminiscent of Ted DiBiase buying the WWE Championship from Andre the Giant, it's very easy for Guardiola to dip into City's never ending supply of cash and just buy another full-back. However, with some work and patience, Angelino could quietly fix all their inconsistencies in the position and nail it down as his own, should he get the chance once again.