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The transfer window can be considered broken if Manchester City aren't linked with at least five different potential replacements for Fernandinho in the next four weeks.

Regular reports claiming the club are lining up a new holding midfielder have become a staple of every Man City fan's diet in the past twelve months, yet the identity of the mystery man seems no closer to being revealed.

Whoever is bestowed with the honour of succeeding the Brazilian in City's anchor role will be acutely aware of the importance Pep Guardiola places on this position. Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso and Fernandinho - three of the most high-profile players to protect the centre-backs during his time at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City respectively - have set the bar at a height which very few dare to reach.

But dare someone must to carry the Citizens into a future without the 34-year-old veteran. Tanguy Ndombele is a player luring admirers from across Europe with his silky smooth, composed, daring and outrageously talented gift in possession of the ball, which he simultaneously attempts to balance with his defensive responsibilities.

According to a report published by Tuttosport (via Sky Sports) last month, Lyon's chairman has confirmed that City are one of a multitude of clubs interested in the Frenchman's signature.

However, Txiki Begiristain has also recommended Atletico Madrid star Rodri as the number one replacement for Fernandinho, per Sky Sports, although they are not interested in getting involved in a bidding war for a player with a £60.6 million release clause.

Statistically, there is only one winner between the two players.

It's easy to see why Begiristain has bookmarked the young Spain international, a player who has been tipped to succeed Busquets in the national side.

Defensively he is as stark as they come and Ndombele is simply no match for him in that respect. The number of tackles and interceptions he has completed dwarfs Ndombele's return, while his aerial presence is also vastly superior with 92 headers won compared to 21, per Whoscored.

Unsurprisingly, the sacrifice is a limited contribution in the attacking phase, particularly when directly contrasted with the playmaking exploits offered by the Ligue 1 star. A total of 49 key passes both in the league and in Europe underlines Ndombele's creative prowess and ability to break the lines with a cutting edge through ball.

The problem for Lyon's all-action midfielder, however, is that City's squad is stacked with midfield maestros, such as Bernardo and David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan, who offer an embarrassing level of creativity in this department.

Ultimately Fernandinho's successor must boast the ability to provide a resilient shield in front of the defensive unit and, as the statistics reveal, Rodri is equipped with a vastly superior skill set to that of Ndombele.

Both players are prodigious talents at 22, but it's clear to understand why Begiristain is leaning towards Atletico's outstanding enforcer.