10 Man City Players Who Should Fear For Their Future

4. Matija Nastasic

Not that anyone at Manchester City will ever concede this, but during the 12/13 season, Matija Nastasic was to Vincent Kompany what Rio Ferdinand was to Nemanja Vidic at Old Trafford. A ball-playing centre-half, pinched from Fiorentina in the summer of 2012, the 19 year old Serbian international looked to be an upgrade on the ageing Joleon Lescott, and was tipped to form a rock-solid partnership at Eastlands for years to come. While the 12/13 campaign was ultimately a disappointing defence of their title, and ended in a damp squib of an FA Cup final defeat to Wigan Athletic, Nastasic was one of the bright sparks in an otherwise dour season. Featuring 30 times in all competitions, City boss Roberto Mancini had high hopes for his starlet. Injuries dictated that Nastasic would play just 13 games the following season as City stormed to the league title, but now his path back into the first-team looks to be completely barricaded. His heart must have slumped when he heard the news that the club had parted with £30 million for FC Porto centre-half Eliquaim Mangala in the summer - who in turn has found it a struggle to dislodge the impressive Martin Demichelis from the starting line-up. Nastasic has been linked with a host of clubs in recent months, from Arsenal to Newcastle United, but one thing looks almost for certain - after zero performances so far this campaign, it looks like his time at Eastlands could be all but over before his 22nd birthday.