Manchester City 2021-22 line-up: Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City have one of the best squads across Europe. Pep Guardiola boosted the Cityzens’ boosted their squad ahead of the upcoming season by bringing in Aston Villa star and captain Jack Grealish last week.
The English midfielder is set to join his fellow countrymen like Raheem Sterling, Kyle Walker and Phil Foden and play for Pep Guardiola’s team next season. Following the official confirmation of Grealish’s transfer, we have a look at how Man City could line up for the upcoming campaign.
Manchester City 2021-22 line-up: Pep Guardiola is known to field a starting 11 that can play with different tactics in between games. The Spanish tactician wants his players to adapt to the game situation and outplay the opponents while keeping hold of the possession. Keeping this basic principle in mind, Lets’ try and analyse who could be the first choice starter for Man City next season
Goalkeeper
There is no doubt in Ederson being a sure shot starter for Man City next season. The Brazilian star has been Pep Guardiola’s go-to player between the sticks and is expected to play for the Premier League champions in the upcoming campaign.
Manchester City 2021-22 line-up: Defenders
Pep has a lot of options to chose from to play at the back. Ruben Dias and John Stones form a rock-solid partnership at the heart of defence last season and are expected to remain Pep Guardiola’s first-choice centre-backs.
Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte are more than able backups to Stones and Dias. The duo is expected to feature in PL matches against lower-ranked opponents. They might also get some minutes during cup games where Pep could give his first-choice players some much-needed rest.
Joao Cancelo has been a vital cog of Pep Guardiola’s team last season. He is expected to compete with Kyle Walker for a slot on his right-hand side of a back four. However, the Portuguese’s ability to play on either flank could see him start over Oleksandr Zinchenko and Benjamin Mendy on the left as well.
Manchester City 2021-22 line-up: Midfielders
Manchester City line up in a 4-3-3 formation with one holding midfielder and two number 8’s to go along. Rodri has often been the first choice to start in the number 6 role and will continue to play as a CDM for Pep with veteran Fernandinho acting as his back up.
Moving a little further up the pitch, Kevin De Bruyne remains a fixed starter for Manchester City next season. The Belgium international is one of the best players in the Premier League. He is expected to create a lot of chances for the forward line to latch on in the upcoming campaign.
Manchester City 2021-22 line-up: The signing of Jack Grealish triggers the tricky part as it remains interesting to see if where does Pep Guardiola plan to fit him in the team. If the former Aston Villa star is used as a number 8, he is expected to start in Man City’s midfield with De Bruyne pushed into the forward line or vice-versa. Jack could also play into the the front three which would free up a midfield slot in the team.
Also Read: Premier League: Pep Guardiola declares, ‘Man City can take Jack Grealish to another level’
Ilkay Gundogan has often himself starring in Manchester’s midfield alongside Kevin De Bruyne last season. Apart from the German, the likes of Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva could also vouch for a spot in City’s midfield.
Manchester City 2021-22 line-up: Attackers
Raheem Sterling shined for the English national team at Euros 2020 and in contention for a spot in the front three next season. However, his position will be under a lot of pressure with Pep expected find a way to fit Jack Grealish on the team.
Riyad Mahrez is expected to be the first choice winger on the right hand side with Ferran Torres to compete with him and act as his back up. Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva have also been used on the right side of the team attack and could look to battle the duo for a spot on the starting 11.
Manchester City 2021-22 line-up: Gabriel Jesus is currently the only out and out striker at Man City. However, Pep Guardiola has often deployed a false 9 last season. This means that the likes of Foden, Silva and Kevin De Bruyne all come into the picture one again and could play as a false 9 next season.
With injuries and game management a major part of Guardiola’s team, we can predict massive rotation and changes with the Spaniard looking to shake things up mid season.
Predicted Starting 11- Formation 4-3-3
Goalkeeper– Ederson
Defence– Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Joao Cancelo
Midfield– Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan
Attack– Grealish, Foden, Mahrez
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