PL 2018/19: How Manchester City might line up this season

Midfielders: Bernardo Silva, Fernandinho, David Silva

Manchester City v Olympique Lyonnais - UEFA Champions League Group F

Manchester City’s midfield is both good and bad news for Pep. Good because he has great options to choose from, all full-time internationals and highly talented, and bad because he has to choose only 3 out of a pool of half a dozen world class players. As Pep’s tactics involve shifting his holding midfielder between the defenders and playing the ball from the behind, Fernandinho is a very important player for him. He has been pivotal for the Spaniard as his passing and game reading skills are among the best in the World. Despite being 32 years old, he has looked to improve under Pep, just like fine wine ages. He has started all of the 7 games this season, showing the importance he holds in the team. Despite the young centre backs’ emergence as elite ball playing defenders, the Brazilian is still the go to man when the defence faces problems in bringing the ball out from the back.

Silva recently scored 50 goals for the club

While Fernandinho provides the defensive cover to the back four, Bernardo Silva and David Silva are the two midfielders that are responsible for the creative attacking play that links the defence with the attack. The defence splitting passes and the once in a few games goals will be supplied by these two Silvas for the moment as Kevin De Bruyne is out injured for a minimum of 3 months. His absence is a loss for the team but they can cope with it due to the quality of midfielders they have in their ranks. Ilkay Gundagon will also expect game time as he is a player who can play as the destroyer as well as the creative link and might overshadow Fernandinho come the end of the season.

From changing the shape of the team to changing the personnel, Pep has rotated his squad heavily in the first 7 games of the season. While Fernandinho has started all the games, Gundagon and David Silva have started 5 games each while Bernardo Silva has been used in the wide regions as well during these games. It has been an experimental period for Pep and his team as he is looking for the perfect winning formula.

The likes of Foden and Diaz will look to get some valuable minutes under their belt this season as the season is long and Manchester City will compete on all possible fronts for all possible trophies.