All these links to a "left footed possession CH" aren't very good for Mangala's prospects.
Imo if Mangala is going to last, he has to be a totally dominant defender, to make up for his less than brilliant ability on the ball. Then at least slightly weakening one aspect would strengthen another.
He isn't that player when he comes on, he's just 'ok' or sometimes not 'ok' at all.
If we have an average defender who is not so comfortable on the ball then even an above average defender who is comfortable on the ball, is an upgrade.
What we really need to improve us further, is a central defender of the same quality & potential, as our attack. We may have one in Stones. Another would make us very difficult to stop, for years to come.
But that then means that Otamendi and Kompany have to be happy as 3rd/4th choices. I doubt Pep will want to rotate his CBs in the same way he does his attack; the partnerships are everything.
He has no choice.
There are too many games.
Then you have to prepare for Otamendi and/or Kompany leaving and you're back at square one. It's very unusual to find a decent player who's happy to be a fourth choice. It's why we should have started playing Denayer after he got back from Celtic.
If they are that sulky then good riddance. The strikers, who are worth 3 times as much, have to accept it.
We are below square 1 at the moment. We have one reliable centre back going into the toughest period of the season & he was completely unreliable for the last few seasons & could find himself playing next to Mangala rather than Stones or Kompany. Or a fullback or midfielder playing there.
There is no telling how Otamendi will perform in those conditions. We just have to hope he maintains this form if/when it happens & becomes the leader.
It's the single best chance the rest of the Premier League has, of catching us.