How City Could Line Up Against Wolves: Let’s Take A Look At Guardiola’s Options

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4 years ago

Categories: Galleries, Manchester City News

Tags: aymeric laporte, Manchester City, Nathan Ake, Riyad Mahrez, wolves

Manchester City’s preseason preparations have hardly been ideal. They have been afforded an extra week off after their Champions League exploits last month but they have also had two players sidelined due to positive COVID-19 tests.

Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez should be back in contention for Monday’s game against Wolves but the lack of any friendlies due to the international break coming right before the start of the campaign has certainly made things more difficult for manager Pep Guardiola.

You wouldn’t bet against the Citizens getting off to a good start at Molineux, though, despite the issues that they have been faced with. Their opponents did win against Sheffield United in their opening fixture so Guardiola’s team will have to be on top of their game to get the three points.

Press the next page as we predict how City could line up against Wolves on Monday.

GK – Ederson

The Brazilian is the undoubted number one and after picking up the Golden Glove award last season, he will be hopeful of keeping even more clean sheets this campaign.

He does have a new deputy in Zack Steffen, following Claudio Bravo’s departure but, despite the American impressing out on loan in Germany, Guardiola will need Ederson to stay fit if they are to wrestle the title back from Liverpool.

RB – Kyle Walker

The 30-year-old did not particularly impress during the international break, after being sent off on his return to the England fold. It was still good, though, to get some minutes under his belt ahead of the new season.

Whether Joao Cancelo will present a genuine threat to his place in the side this time around, after the Portuguese fullback struggled somewhat during his first campaign, we shall have to wait and see.

CB – Nicolas Otamendi

There has been speculation over the Argentine’s future, but with Eric Garcia likely to have been unsettled by the interest from Barcelona, and John Stones out of favour, Otamendi may be given a start against Wolves.

Of course, he could still leave before the transfer window closes if City manage to finally bring in that key new centre-half they have been after all summer.

CB – Aymeric Laporte

Although the Frenchman has had to self-isolate, you would expect that he would be selected in the starting line up, regardless, due to his importance to City’s defence.

Guardiola does have the option of selecting new signing Nathan Ake in his place but I suspect the Dutchman may well start in a different position.

LB – Nathan Ake

Although ostensibly a centre-half, the summer recruit from Bournemouth has been told he will be utilised in a number of different roles this season.

You could possibly see him start at left-back on Monday evening, perhaps in order to combat the threat posed by Adama Traore who caused so much damage in the two fixtures between the two teams last campaign.

CM – Rodri

Guardiola may go with Fernandinho instead of the Spaniard depending which player is deemed the fittest following a very brief preseason. Rodri did, more often than not, start as the holding midfielder last campaign so he would be the favourite to begin the season in the same role.

Fernandinho could just as easily fill in or there is also the possibility that he could start at centre-back once again if the likes of Otamendi, Stones and Garcia are not deemed suitable.

CM – Kevin De Bruyne

Not much needs to be said here. The reigning PFA Player of the Year is very much the talisman of the team now, following the departure of David Silva in the summer.

De Bruyne’s goals and assists will be crucial if the Citizens are to reclaim their Premier League crown. City fans will be hoping for another injury-free season.

CM – Phil Foden

The youngster has big boots to fill, with many seeing him as the perfect replacement for David Silva, but the 20-year-old has more than enough ability to carve out a fine career in a City shirt.

With Bernardo Silva a doubt for the match against Wolves, Foden may well be asked to play more centrally if Guardiola decides against picking Ilkay Gundogan.

RW – Ferran Torres

This is a difficult one. Riyad Mahrez could start if he is fit enough, while Foden could also be utilised out wide if Guardiola opts for more solidity in the middle of the pitch.

However, Torres’s speed may prove invaluable on counter-attacks at Molineux and fans will be intrigued to see one of their new signings in action.

CF – Gabriel Jesus

With Sergio Aguero unlikely to be fit to start following a long time out with a knee injury, the Brazilian is almost certain to be given the number nine role.

Jesus’s inconsistent finishing can be a source of frustration at times but with Aguero reaching the end of his career, his successor could step up to the mark this campaign.

LW – Raheem Sterling

The 25-year-old has improved his goal total in every season he has played under Guardiola and he will want to continue that trend.

Sterling should have ambitions of winning the golden boot considering the chances he gets and if he converts more of them, there is no doubt he could score a hatful this season.