Manuel Pellegrini has warned new signing Eliaquim Mangala he will have to fight for his place as he expects a three-way battle for the two central-defensive places in the Manchester City team.
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The France international became the most expensive defender in the history of the Premier League when Pellegrini signed him from Porto for 32 million pounds this summer.
Mangala was not deemed ready to play before the international break but is expected to be available when City face Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Chelsea in their next three games.
Captain Vincent Kompany has been a regular in the centre of the City defence for the last five seasons and Martin Demichelis established himself as his partner last year and has begun the first three league games of the current campaign.
And manager Pellegrini rejected suggestions Mangala would come in for the Argentina international, telling reporters at the UEFA managers' forum: "We need the three of them.
"Like I have said about the strikers, it's the same with the defenders. We have so many games to play. At the moment Demichelis and Kompany are playing well, but that doesn't mean Mangala can't play.
"He will have his time to play, and then it depends on performances."
City are looking to defend their Premier League crown as well as going the distance in the Champions League, but face a tough group after being pitted with Bayern Munich, CSKA Moscow and Roma.