Manchester City have finally signed long-time target Riyad Mahrez. Following a stunning season with Leicester, Mahrez was touted to leave along with then-teammate N’Golo Kante but stayed on to feature in the Champions League. He was agitating for a move elsewhere and final has his move as City have signed for a reported fee of £60m.
In this article, we will figure out the probable Manchester City lineup next season following the addition of Riyad Mahrez this summer.
So without further ado, let’s get started!
Formation
Pep Guardiola will likely stick to a 4-3-3 (4-2-3-1) setup he used for the chunk of last season. We might occasionally see the Catalan mastermind shifting to a three-man backline throughout the course of the season.
Defence
Ederson will remain the man between the sticks for Manchester City next season. Despite failing to nail down a place in the Brazilian national team, the former Benfica keeper was excellent last season and Pep Guardiola will hope he can replicate his performances in the forthcoming seasons.
At the back, we might see a few changes to the general lineup that was used last season. While Kyle Walker is set to remain as the first choice right-back, French international Benjamin Mendy will return to the starting eleven following a debut season that was ravaged by a long-term injury.
John Stones will be rewarded for his excellent World Cup performance with a starting berth alongside Nicolas Otamendi in central defence. Otamendi, however, needs to step up after a disastrous World Cup as Argentina bowed out of the competitions at the hands of France in the Round of 16 stage.
Midfield
Fernandinho will sit in at the base of the 4-3-3 formation. His qualities in breaking up the play and screen the defensive backline will once again be crucial as Manchester City look to continue their dominance in the Premier League next season.
Partnering the Brazilian international will be the creative midfield duo of David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne. Both the players have performed extremely well in the ongoing FIFA World Cup and it remains to be seen if they can replicate their form in the league next campaign.
Attack
In attack, Riyad Mahrez will be deployed in the right flank with Leroy Sane playing on the other side of the flank. Both will look to use their pace and dynamism to set up chances for either of Gabriel Jesus or Sergio Aguero in the lone forward position.
