Manchester City's Predicted Starting XI for the 2019/20 season

Modified Aug 10, 2019 05:37 GMT

Pep Guardiola will be attempting to defend his league title again this season

Defensive Midfielder - Rodri

Rodri appears to have all the qualities of Fernandinho

The defensive midfield position is a vital cog in Guardiola's tactics at City because the Spaniard relies on a pass master who can also do the cleanup job in the middle. Fernandinho was tailor-made for the role and Guardiola knew that replacing the Brazilian could cost an arm and a leg. And as expected, City had to pay an exorbitant transfer fee to get Rodri from Atletico Madrid this summer. However, it looks like money well invested.

The Spanish midfielder has already shown in preseason that he will embrace Guardiola's tactics like a duck takes to water. Rodri appears to have all the qualities of Fernandinho, so one can hope he will have a similar impact in Guardiola's team this season.

Central Midfielder - David Silva

David Silva has been selected as Manchester City's Captain this season

Pep Guardiola has confirmed that David Silva will be his new Captain this season. The Spaniard has already announced that he will leave the club at the end of this season, so this season will be his City swansong. Under Pep Guardiola's direction, Silva has added an impressive steel to his game, which, along with his silky moves, has helped his manager field two number 10s in the midfield.

The Spaniard is exceptional on the ball and will be pulling the strings for one last time in Guardiola's team this season. As such, one can expect sparks to fly again.

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Edited by Debjyoti Samanta