Manchester City have signed just the one player in this summer transfer window. Riyad Mahrez joined from Leicester City in a deal worth £60m thus becoming the club’s record signing. While this was a long protracted saga which ultimately culminated in City getting their man, another transfer pursuit did not end in the best of ways for Pep Guardiola and his men. Jorginho, who is now a Chelsea player, had a deal agreed with the club but due to complications arising after Sarri decided to join Chelsea, the player preferred the comfort of having his mentor around rather than take on a fresh new challenge.
Having been thwarted a couple of times already, Pep has hinted he would be willing to carry on his preparations with just the one addition this summer. While this may be the case, it is expected there will be certain changes in the starting XI.
Now, it is clearly obvious and well documented how strong City’s squad is. It is true that a Manchester City B team can challenge the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur for a place in the Top 4.
But nevertheless, we will try to set up an XI which we believe, on their day, can defeat any team in the world.
PREDICTED MANCHESTER CITY XI
FORMATION: 4-3-3
DEFENCE
Ederson is the natural choice for the keeper’s role with a fantastic first season. He will look to continue in the same beat and will be motivated even more with his country’s first choice Alisson making an entry at Anfield.
John Stones had a tremendous World Cup and this will be the perfect time to thrust him into the spotlight and give him confidence and a string of matches. While Otamendi and Laporte can slot into any team in the Premier League, Vincent Kompany is not done yet and he needs to start for City when fit.
In the right-back slot, it will naturally be Kyle Walker taking on the reins. The Englishman will be welcoming a return to a familiar surrounding despite putting up a commendable show in a 3-man backline for England.
At left-back, it will be the inimitable, Benjamin Mendy who will finally be hoping for a more settled season after a tumultuous past year.
MIDFIELD
In the event that Manchester City fail to sign or don’t sign another midfielder before the start of the season, it will be the terrific trio of Fernandinho, Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva lining up in the midfield, thus forming what is clearly the best midfield trio in England. But having said that, Fabian Delph and Ilkay Gundogan are expected to see a lot more gametime this season.
ATTACK
Leroy Sane will be hurting from the inexcusable and befuddling decision of being left at home during the World Cup and we can certainly expect something even more special from the German speedster this season.
While Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva are expected to feature more due to their past performances, we believe Riyad Mahrez on his day can create utter chaos in the opposition defence and he certainly can be the X-factor City have been missing on the European stage.
And in the striker’s role, despite Pep Guardiola’s misgivings, Sergio Aguero should be the undisputed starter when fit.
