Second guessing Pep Guardiola’s system at Manchester City this season will probably be a futile exercise. The Catalan coach seems to promote versatility, and the players linked so far don’t always seem to point towards the kind of system we see employed by most Premier League clubs these day. That is, something approaching a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1.
Pep may well decide on a more flexible system, or something with three centre backs.
It’s an exciting time to be a Manchester City fan. They had the structure and the ideas before. Now they have the manager and before the end of the transfer window, they’ll probably have the players too!
We’re going to hear a lot about Pep Guardiola’s ‘philosophy’ over the next few months. It’s hard to define that because although it feels that Bayern Munich and Barcelona play in a somewhat similar style, there are obvious differences in systems and ethos – Bayern’s macho, direct, counter attacking tradition was in many ways upheld.
With that in mind, Guardiola will probably look to play a system that suits the players at his disposal but also the rigours of the Premier League, embracing the differences. How do you deal with the incessant pressing? How do you deal with directness? How do you minimise the risks of conceding on the counter attack? Usually the answer is being comfortable on the ball and not losing it.
But a solid defence that won’t go anywhere is also key – that’s why the formation here includes a back three. Guardiola may not play that system – but with City’s full back areas not looking particularly verdant just at the moment, and with City being linked to wingers and midfielders, it seems to suggest Guardiola is looking to load up with versatile players who can do lots of jobs. Expect a fluid system whatever happens.
Here’s an XI that Pep could start the season with:
Joe Hart
England’s number one had a rocky Euro 2016. But then, not many England players covered themselves in glory.
There is, however, a big question mark over Joe Hart. Because as good a goalkeeper as he is, there does seem to be a mistake in him – a lack of concentration at a crucial moment.
If Pep Guardiola wants to play with a goalkeeper who can recycle possession, Hart will have to prove he’s good with his feet, but he’ll also have to prove that he can be a spectator for most of the game and make a save when called upon.
He’s a very fine goalkeeper, but if there was ever a time to prove it….
Vincent Kompany
There’s another big question mark for City if they’re going to play with more than two centre backs, and that’s over The Captain.
Is Vincent Kompany finished? Is he crocked?
Well if ever there was a man who epitomised steely determination, it’s Vincent Kompany, so there’s always a good chance he’ll be back stronger than ever. And if you’re Pep Guardiola, a new manager trying to instil an identity to a club struggling to find itself, you’re definitely going to want Kompany around and fit – he’s the closest City have to a personification. He’s also a damn good defender.
It’s a risk, these days, to build your team around him given his injury history, but it’s a risk worth taking if you can also get the likes of Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala playing above their level last season.
John Stones
This one could happen. John Stones to Manchester has been rumbling for a while, but if there’s one English defender around who can play football in a Guardiola team, it’s John Stones.
He’ll make mistakes, but with the meticulousness of Guardiola, Stones can learn to sense where the mistake is before it happens – that’s the manager he needs, and if City can provide him with that, they’ll have a world class central defender who can slot in alongside a beastly Kompany, Mangala or Otamendi and give City the ability to start attacks from deep.
Eliaquim Mangala
The choice here is between Otamendi and Mangala, both of whom came into their own at the end of last season. It’s just that both were deemed to be liabilities at City last season.
Both, however, are worth giving a chance to, and – if Guardiola does play with a back three – both will need to add discipline to their game.
I’ve gone with Mangala because he’s young and still relatively raw – that means there’s potential to mould him into a disciplined and dominating centre back, and if Pep can do that, City will have a diamond.
Raheem Sterling
He’s public enemy number one. He’s the scapegoat. He’s the symbol of England’s obsession with eating their young; a victim of footballing infanticide.
But it’s encouraging that Pep Guardiola reportedly phoned Raheem Sterling to reassure him during the worst of the abuse during the Euro 2016.
That tells us that Guardiola still sees Sterling as a big part of his plan for City. The biggest criticism of Sterling is that he lacks an end product – he doesn’t score much and his final ball can be frustrating. But remember that he’s still only 20, and deserves the chance to make the mistakes that most 20 year olds make. He’ll improve, and his pace and dribbling ability suits any system that Guardiola will want to play.
Ilkay Gundogan
New signing Ilkay Gundogan is clearly a man that Pep Guardiola trusts. The German has a bad record with injuries, and yet he was still trusted as City’s first signing of the Guardiola era.
He’s a classy player, a box to box midfielder who is comfortable on the ball and doesn’t mind the nitty gritty. If he can stay fit, he’ll drive City up the pitch, but he’ll also be comfortable recycling possession as City look to break opponents down.
Fernandinho
Probably one of City’s most consistent players, Fernandinho has proven himself to be a competent box to box midfielder who is good on the ball. He may be needed to play a deeper role in the team this season, though. His job may well be as the out-ball there to help recycle possession as City attempt to pass their way through stubborn defences.
But if Guardiola is looking for a player to chase around the midfield and keep the intensity levels high, he may already have the perfect man in Fernandinho.
David Silva
David Silva is another Manchester City player who has suffered with injuries recently, but no one is denying that Silva is one of the best playmakers in the league. He’s the kind of jinky passer who sees the openings in play and the way through stubborn defences. That’s a quality few players have, and one that a Pep Guardiola team will cherish.
Guardiola may feel that there is some dead wood in the current Manchester City squad, but he can ill-afford to lose David Silva this season – he’s one player Guardiola would find hard to replace, and a player who looks to be a natural fit for the new manager, too.
Nolito
The new signing is clearly brought in with a plan in mind. You don’t just buy a 29 year old like Nolito on a whim – there is a plan for him.
He’s direct, he’s pacey and he’s a flair player. Someone to unlock defences with a bit of magic rather than a slick pass, and a player who can create openings for the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Sergio Aguero, too.
Nolito will be an asset for Guardiola on the counter attack, an area of the game you just can’t see becoming any less important in the Premier League next season!
Kevin de Bruyne
Kevin de Bruyne cost Manchester City quite a lot of money but if he didn’t get injured at a crucial time in the season, City may not have capitulated as they did in the league.
Next season, if City can keep De Bruyne fit, he’ll be a huge player for them, especially if the likes of Raheem Sterling, Nolito or even potential new signing Leroy Sane find themselves playing in the wide areas for City. They’ll hug the touchlines and create space in the middle of the pitch for De Bruyne who could then roam in behind the striker. A frightening prospect.
Sergio Aguero
City’s main man over the past few seasons is still, quite clearly, City’s main man.
Sergio Aguero is a world class striker, and there aren’t many of them around these days. One look at Euro 2016 shows that – the best teams in the tournament seem to lack them. France start with Olivier Giroud, Germany with Mario Gotze or Mario Gomez, even Italy and Spain lacked something in that area, though Spain’s Alvaro Morata could blossom over the next few seasons.
So Aguero is still a huge player for City, and with Guardiola’s whole thought process going to creating space, Aguero could find himself thriving in a more direct Guardiola team than we’ve seen so far.