10 Former Players Bolton Wanderers Could Do With Now

9. Dedryck Boyata

Belgian centre-half Dedryck Boyata has been at Manchester City for nearly nine years now, having been snapped up as a youth starlet from Brussels in 2006. Alongside Joe Hart and Pablo Zabaleta, he is the only member of the Manchester City first-team squad to have survived the cast-cull of the Abu Dhabi regime. Unlike those two, however, he is nowhere near being in contention for a regular place in the starting XI. He must have winced at the fate of his career prospects even further when the club shelled out £32 million for Porto centre-half Eliaquim Mangala - a centre-half who is a year younger than him. The 24 year old Boyata has been afforded limited opportunities at Eastlands, amassing 11 appearances in the Premier League over the last five years. Indeed, he has played more games in the top-flight during a season-long loan at Bolton Wanderers during the 11/12 season than he has in almost nine years at Man City, featuring 14 times for Owen Coyle€™s side. His good form was interrupted by an ankle injury which kept him out for six weeks, but aside from that it proved to be a fruitful loan for Boyata, although he was unable to help his side avoid relegation. Bolton have a centre-back pairing of 26 year old French centre-back Dorian Dervite and 27 year old USA international Tim Ream. Considering the side have conceded 32 goals in all competitions already this term, surely there would be room for an old loanee to stake his claim for a regular starting spot? He must have picked up something from watching Vincent Kompany at close quarters for the last six years.