EPL 2017/18: How Manchester City could line up this season?

The Premier League season begins in less than a month and the clubs have started to mould their team for the upcoming season. The managers are tinkering with their squads in order to find the perfect balance for their teams as the season draws closer.

Some managers have already found the perfect formula, while some others are still scratching their head wondering what to do next – and Pep Guardiola is one among the former. After comprehensively winning their pre-season games, where they exuded a sense of invincibility, against Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur, it seems as though the former Barcelona manager has an idea of the best XI for his side.

Manchester City have had one of the best windows in their history, spending over £200 million on some of the best talents in the world, they are perhaps the strongest team in the league this season. With that, we can guess how the former Barcelona boss will line up his team for this season in a 4-2-1-3 formation…

Goalkeeper

Ederson Moraes seems like a great addition for Manchester City

This summer was the second summer in a row where Manchester City have spent money to sign a goalkeeper. After luring Claudio Bravo from Barcelona last season, one would have thought that he would be the undisputed custodian for some time to come.

However, after some erratic performances last season, Pep Guardiola chose to not take the risk and continue with him as the sole first-choice goalkeeper. As a result, he spent a record amount money – £34.7 million – to bring Ederson from Benfica.

If measured in pounds, then Ederson is the most expensive goalkeeper of all time and it would be absurd to think that he won’t be a starter after such an outlay. The talented keeper is also the type of shotstopper that the former Barcelona manager likes – someone who is great with the ball at his feet and doesn’t risk coming out of his box to act like a sweeper and intercept an onrushing ball.

Defence

Danilo is Pep's newest acquisition

Given that Pep Guardiola has spent heavily on improving the full-back areas of the squad, he has a plethora of talents that he could use there. At right-back, Kyle Walker is the most likely to start the season on the teamsheet. Even though Danilo expects to have more playing time at the club, the Catalan likes his right-back to be quick – and only few are as quick as the Englishman.

It is as clear as the day as to who shall be the left-back for Manchester City next season. After completing a £52 million move to the Etihad, Benjamin Mendy is going to be the undisputed starter at the left-back spot. Meanwhile, Danilo – another expensive disbursement – might be the joker of all trades at both full-back positions, centre-back and midfield.

At the heart of the defence, Vincent Kompany is set to be a starter and will most likely be partnered by Nicolas Otamendi. The Belgian missed most of last season with injuries and is hoping to have a great season up ahead opining that “every time I start, I have a feeling that I will never be injured again.”

Otamendi, meanwhile, was one of the mainstays in centre-half last season and is expected to be so for the upcoming season as well.

Midfield

City's midfield maestros

This is where a selection headache begins for the former Bayern manager. He has so many players that could play in midfield that he can field two different teams and still beat most Premier League sides. However, Fernandinho will be one of the mainstays given Pep’s likeness towards holding midfielders that can also set the tempo of the team.

Partnering him will the rejuvenated and explosive Yaya Toure, although a fit Gundogan might eventually take over to become the deep-lying playmaker. However, it seems as though Yaya Toure will be the starter at the beginning of the season and help City with his destructive forward forays.

Just ahead of them, David Silva will reside as the prime playmaker and use his extensive passing abilities to keep the plays ticking. The Spaniard has added competition in the form of new-signing Bernardo Silva, but it seems unlikely that the Portuguese will dispatch him from the starting line-up instantly.

Attack

De Bruyne and Aguero will lead City's attack this season

Just like their midfield, their attack also has an embarrassment of riches. The likes of Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus will have to satisfy themselves with bit-part roles as the front three is most likely going to consist of Kevin de Bruyne at left, Raheem Sterling on the right and Sergio Aguero leading the line as a centre-forward.

While all three of Leroy Sane, Bernardo Silva and Gabriel Jesus had wonderful outings last term, it feels as though Pep wants his side to be much more direct than the two teams that he previously coached.

We might see more of Bernardo Silva on the right as well, but Raheem Sterling is going to be the go-to-guy for Pep on the right due to the Englishman’s directness. He is to Pep’s Man City what Pedro was to Barcelona, although the former Liverpool starlet is a much more talented version.

Kevin de Bruyne played his finest football from the left-flank and it feels like he will be shifted back there after the arrival Bernardo Silva as David Silva’s backup. Meanwhile, there is no question as to who will lead the line for the Citizens as Sergio Aguero was quite fantastic last season. Gabriel Jesus will get his chances, but Aguero will remain the top dog.