Guehi, Ruben Dias, transfer plans - your Man City questions answered

Our weekly Q&A with chief Manchester City writer Simon Bajkowski takes a look at some of the questions you have been asking

There's no shortage of Manchester City topics to discuss as Pep Guardiola's men look to compete in four competitions this season after the disappointment of last season. We've got every game and press conference covered for you but we also know that there is so much going on around that.

That's why we are holding regular Q&A sessions with our chief City writer Simon Bajkowski. The day of the week it comes out on may change depending on what City's schedule looks like but essentially this is your chance to get an answer on anything you want - simply pop your question here at any time of the week and Simon will pick them all up wrap everything up in one place.

This week there's still talk of Marc Guehi and the January transfer window, but also a look further ahead (and some non-transfer questions!) after a good week for the Blues that has seen them compensate for losing Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol to significant injuries.

Please tell us if we are signing any centre backs? Ayush

Thanks Ayush, and everyone who asked about Marc Guehi that I'm wrapping into this question. City are still interested in signing Guehi this month, but it is far from certain that a deal can be agreed with Palace and with the defender himself. Liverpool nearly completed a move last summer and are looking again for the end of the season, when it was expected Guehi would move before City's injury issues saw them step up their interest.

City being City, they are looking at other defenders too. I can't give any names unfortunately but Hugo Viana was involved last year in an extensive scout for centre-backs and while the profile they are looking at this month is different City will still look to see if they can strike a deal.

That being said, Max Alleyne and Abdukodir Khusanov have made an outstanding pair over the last week and Nathan Ake has played in all three games, so the need to sign a centre-back does not feel as urgent as it did. January is hectic but February will be much more serene with two blank midweeks if City can avoid a Champions League play-off as well as a kind FA Cup draw, so Ruben Dias should be back and John Stones could also be.

What is the latest on the CB situation (keeping next season in mind as well)? We've seen reports that Ake and Stones will most likely leave in the summer. This leaves us with Dias, Gvardiol, Khusanov, Alleyne, Vitor Reis and Juma Bah. Would City still go for Guehi? If so, what happens to the above players based on your idea? Naveen Narayan

Lots are also asking about the general centre-back situation in the longer term. There seems little downside in going for Guehi if you're not expecting to keep John Stones or Nathan Ake. Guehi will command significant money but with Stones injured he is England's best defender, has years of experience at the top level, is homegrown and is coming into his peak years. If they can get him, they will.

Karl asks if there is a chance of Ruben Dias leaving this summer but there is more chance of him becoming City captain. Josko Gvardiol and Khusanov will stay as well, which brings City to three. Vitor Reis was looking to play his way into the team with a strong year at Girona and he could, although Alleyne is suddenly providing competition and counts as homegrown, which helps.

I think Juma Bah will be on loan next season, as will Jahmai Simpson-Pusey - who had nicked in front of Alleyne last year and is now hoping he can get game time at Koln - and then City probably need someone of Guehi's standing even if they can't get the man himself. That would likely see Alleyne or Reis back on loan.

John Stones update? Just anything about his injuries, mental health, contract situation. Jordan.

Thanks Jordan, it is really important to recognise the human aspect of injuries. It's been massively frustrating for Stones to see a second year wrecked by injury. He spoke in summer that last year had made him contemplate retirement, so it can't be nice - especially when he was nailed for the World Cup squad as long as he stayed fit.

Guardiola is frustrated as well but in a different way, knowing how much better Stones can make the team but not knowing when he will be able to come back. The fact he hasn't been training with the squad suggests a return is a few weeks away at least.

Others have asked about a new contract for Stones as well and Guardiola signalled that he will be judged on his last two years, where he has been sidelined too much for anyone's liking. It would take something to drastically change in the next six months for that stance to change.

Cherki should always come from the bench. Deezy

An interesting question Deezy and a reminder that not all of these questions have to be about transfers. There are many months ahead when the winter window has shut and there will hopefully still be lots to discuss!

The point about Cherki was raised in summer when he was with the French national team and wowed on debut off the bench against Spain before looking far less effective when he started against Germany. At the beginning of his City career, he scored on debut off the bench against Wolves and something similar happened in the next game when he started against Tottenham.

Cherki looks like a perfect substitute and has already had some important roles for City, at Fulham last month and this week against Newcastle. However, like all of City's attackers bar Erling Haaland there will be some games where it suits him to come on and others where it is best for him to start.

What has been important recently is to take him out of the team and give him a rest because he was starting to look tired after so many consecutive starts.

Will Bernardo get a 1 year extension? Seems Pep can't let go. Elliott

I think Pep would give him a 10-year-extension if he could, Elliott. Guardiola has always loved him but he has taken that to new heights this season.

At the same time, I think he knows that this will be Silva's last as a City player. The club have been firm in rejecting plenty of interest in the midfielder in previous years but if Silva wants to go he will. City's captain said earlier in the season he has decided what he is going but won't be revealing it yet, which doesn't exactly sound like somebody whose decision is to stay.

Silva will be incredibly difficult to replace, but at least from a football point of view Rico Lewis looks the most natural fit. Lewis struggles for support in a team where Silva's selection is often questioned by plenty, so that may be the opening he needs to play more regularly.