Manchester City have spent about £100m on transfers this window, bringing in four first team players to add to their current trophy decorated squad. However, the Etihad owned club is expected to spend really big this summer as they still look to finalize deals with Marc Cucurella and Serge Gnabry as possible replacements for Oleksandr Zinchenko and Raheem Sterling respectively, who could be on their way out of the Etihad in coming weeks.
Not neglecting the English team’s spending spree, they have allegedly made more money from offloading of attacking duo, Ferran Torres and Gabriel Jesus amidst other young academy players who have seen themselves leave the sky blue club on loan spells or permanent deals. With deals involving Sterling and Zinchenko in advanced talks, Manchester City are indeed eating their cake and having it. It’s a total win-win situation for them.
Growing questions and uncertainties have arisen on how Pep Guardiola will line up next season if he gets his entire fantasy squad this summer. With the Premier League’s approval of five substitutions, here’s a probable starting line up that the Catalan manager could adopt in the coming season.
Despite winning the Premier League golden glove award for 3 consecutive seasons, Ederson was not at the top of his game last season, but he is expected to retain his place as first choice goalkeeper ahead of new signing, Stefan Ortega, when the new season starts.
With Dias’ strength and awareness, Laporte’s passing accuracy, Cancelo’s creativity and Walker’s defensive prowess, Pep Guardiola will be more than satisfied to maintain last season’s preferred back four. If the Sky Blues manage to keep Nathan Ake and Oleksandr Zinchenko this summer, they are most likely going to start on the bench with John Stones as backup for the defence. Should Man City sign recently linked Marc Cucurella, he may not slide into the starting lineup just yet, although he had a terrific season last time out with Brighton.
Pep Guardiola might have some thinking to do in selecting the best midfielders for the job, but it may not be that much of a challenge as the team seem content with recruiting Kalvin Phillips to replace Fernandinho. Rodri seemed to be pivotal in Man City’s title defence last season and will most likely retain a first choice spot in defensive midfield with Bernado Silva and Kevin De Bruyne just ahead of him as central and attacking midfielders respectively. We may see the likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Jack Grealish and Kalvin Phillips as reinforcement for the midfield. James McAtee may also be included, if he is not loaned out to another club this summer.
After recruiting superstar Erling Haaland and Argentinian wonderkid, Julian Alvarez, City’s wide pattern and flow of attack will be more efficient up front, with the two orthodox strikers rotating each other. Although the Norwegian striker is expected to start ahead of the Argentinian. Alvarez and Cole Palmer will look to show absolute brilliance and commitment in training sessions to make it to the first XI next season. Serge Gnabry will absolutely battle for a starting position up front if a deal with the Etihad club falls through.
Pep Guardiola’s potential starting XI for next season
