The blues lie in a rather embarrassing 8th place after eleven games this season and Manuel Pellegrini's start to life in Manchester has been an ugly one. The Chilean may have concocted an aura of invincibility around the Etihad Stadium, but on the road, City have been horrific.
One win from six away fixtures has seen the Citizens slump on their march towards the Premier League title and calamitous comparisons can be made between the two goals we have conceded at home alongside the ten we have leaked outside of Manchester.
Although Joe Hart may have shouldered the blame, the four players in front of him have just as many questions to answer. Although Vincent Kompany's absence from the side is bound to have a negative effect on the team, the back line that conceded only 34 goals last season are expected to step up to the plate.
Unfortunately, they haven't, and Manuel Pellegrini is set to dip into his owner's deep cash reserves to fix a leaky defence and resurrect Manchester City's title hopes.
But who exactly is up to the job?
Eliaquim Mangala
Age: 22
Club: FC Porto
Position: CB
Value: £40m
FC Porto's French starlet has been linked with a number of European giants after a massively impressive 2012/2013 campaign. The physical Frenchman may love a tackle, but his positional play and eye for a pass make the defender such an attractive option.
City were poised to make a bid for the 6'2 aerial assassin in the summer window but were dissuaded by his massive £42m buy out clause. The Frenchman is said to be flattered by City's interest, but they'll be competing with Manchester United, Chelsea and Monaco for his signature if they decide to make a move in January.
Nicolas Otamendi
Age: 25
Club: FC Porto
Position: CB
Value: £15m
The Argentinian, who also plays for FC Porto, is another defender that has been linked with City in recent weeks. The South American centre-back has been tipped as the new Roberto Ayala and his physicality has drawn comparisons between him and Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.
Ironically, Otamendi could be playing alongside the Serbian next season with Marca claiming the FC Porto star has already agreed a deal with the Londoners for 2014. Barcelona and AC Milan are also monitoring his situation.
Leighton Baines
Age: 28
Club: Everton
Position: LB
Value: £18m
Although Baines was expected to follow David Moyes to Manchester United in the summer, he has proven his loyalty by staying with the Toffees. Many will be surprised to see the Englishman linked with the blues, but in the wake of poor performances from both Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov, the left back position is now officially vacant.
His dead ball accuracy, ability to pace up and down the wings and his defensive capabilities have seen him take Ashley Cole's place in Roy Hodgson's side and although the defender may be approaching his twilight years, he could definitely add some steel to City's back line.
Dejan Lovren
Age: 24
Club: Southampton
Position: CB
Value: £15m
The Croatian defender signed from Lyon this summer has been an absolute revelation for the Saints this season. Pochettino's side boast the most impressive defensive record in the league after ten games and sit in a sensational third place.
Lovren's addition to the team and Southampton's exquisite league form is certainly not a coincidence and the Croatian will surely be alerting a host of European giants this January. However, Southampton are certain not to sell just four months after sealing the defender's services and right now, he has no reason to leave.
Kurt Zouma
Age: 19
Club: Saint-Etienne
Position: CB
Value: £10m
If you're a fan of Football Manager, you'll know exactly who this guy is. However, despite being an absolute monster on the popular game, Zouma is actually a top defender in real life too!
The 19-year old has attracted the European elite with his impressive form for French outfit Saint-Etienne this year where he has bullied opponents with his brutal aerial and physical strength. City are the latest club to be linked with the French starlet who has recently been banned for 10 games after breaking the leg of Sochaux midfielder Thomas Guerbert.
Club: Southampton
Position: CB
Value: £15m
The Croatian defender signed from Lyon this summer has been an absolute revelation for the Saints this season. Pochettino's side boast the most impressive defensive record in the league after ten games and sit in a sensational third place.
Lovren's addition to the team and Southampton's exquisite league form is certainly not a coincidence and the Croatian will surely be alerting a host of European giants this January. However, Southampton are certain not to sell just four months after sealing the defender's services and right now, he has no reason to leave.
Kurt Zouma
Age: 19
Club: Saint-Etienne
Position: CB
Value: £10m
If you're a fan of Football Manager, you'll know exactly who this guy is. However, despite being an absolute monster on the popular game, Zouma is actually a top defender in real life too!
The 19-year old has attracted the European elite with his impressive form for French outfit Saint-Etienne this year where he has bullied opponents with his brutal aerial and physical strength. City are the latest club to be linked with the French starlet who has recently been banned for 10 games after breaking the leg of Sochaux midfielder Thomas Guerbert.
