Manchester City Pre-Season Review - 5 left wingers?!

Both sides of Manchester have something very promising to look forward to, new managers, millions spent and further rumours on top of that suggests both clubs can improve on last season's 4th and 5th placed finishes. For this moment in time we will focus on Pep's men however if you are interested in Manchester United's affairs be sure to check out their page.

Transfers In 

4-2-3-1 - (NOTE: Stones has not signed for Manchester City as of yet)

Ilkay Gundogan - £21 million from Borussia Dortmund, Central Midfielder

Nolito - £14 million from Celta Vigo, Winger

Leroy Sane - £37 million from FC Schalke 04, Winger

Gabriel Jesus - £27 million from Palmeiras, Winger

Further Transfer Rumours

John Stones ~ £50 million from Everton, Central Defender

Marlos Moreno ~ £5 million from Atletico Nacional, Striker

A solid defence

In spite of enduring a disappointing Euros campaign Hart showcased his consistency last season and is a dependable keeper for Pep's title campaign. In terms of full backs the former Bayern coach has many at his disposal, Sagna showed his effectiveness for France at the Euros whilst Zabaleta has always been reliable. Clichy is the fastest of the lot whereas Kolarov provides a fierce shot and a quality delivery. Centrally they have the likes of Otamendi, Mangala, Kompany and perhaps Stones if a £50 million move materialises. Pep will know that a fully fit Kompany with a promising Stones under his wing should see Manchester City improve on their defensive record which saw them concede over a goal a game on average last season.

A packed midfield

Assuming Pep is to opt for a 4-2-3-1 it leaves him with two central midfielders, a CAM and two wide men in addition to Aguero up top.

Gundogan, who arrived from Dortmund, is the most certain of starts given his simple and neat style of play that Pep appreciates. The position next to the German is up for grabs between Fernandinho, Delph,Toure and potentially Fernando. The first is the most likely option, Fernandinho who endured his best season for the Blues last year, Yaya seems off the boil and is all too often lethargic and a liability. Former Villa man Delph is an option however will first need to prove his match fitness and class under Guardiola on the other hand Fernando is limited when it comes to creativity and threat on the ball.

Further forwards De Bruyne is miles ahead of David Silva and Nasri in the number 10 spot, he is after all the best CAM around. Yet a player of Silva's quality is not accustomed to the bench, a couple of years ago he was the most crucial player in the City team, last season the Spaniard adopted a wide role however new signings will swoop his space.

Sane is a bit of a wildcard, the 20 year old recorded 14 goals and assists in 23 starts at Schalke last season however his place in the starting XI is not cemented. Within a day of signing the German Manchester City spent £27 million on Gabriel Jesus the Brazilian League top scorer at just 19 years of age! The Brazilian won't arrive at Manchester City until January 2017 in spite of this he's already excited Manchester City fans thanks to his reputation as the 'next Neymar'. Expect Sane to start against Sunderland with Nolito on the opposite flank. Manchester City purchased the Spaniard from Celta Vigo on the back of a respectful Euros campaign, the 29 year old does not possess the pace of Sterling but makes up for it with accurate deliveries and swerling shots. It would not be unsurprising to see Sterling, Silva, Nasri and Jesus Navas struggle for first team places, so much that the latter may move away.

Aguero is irreplaceable up front and rivals the likes of Suarez and Griezmann as the best striker around. The Argentinian registered 24 goals last season in just 29 starts, he possesses a goal to game ratio superior to that of Vardy, Kane or Lukaku. In spite of his undeniable excellence Ihenacho is a promising starlet who is more than capable of leading the line or partnering Aguero, unfortunately for the Nigerian Pep has a strong focus on midfield and will rarely opt for multiple strikers. Bony is most likely behind Ihenacho in the pecking order, the Ivory Coast forwards has struggled to recapture his prolific form at Swansea and instead appears wasteful and rash when presented for opportunities for City, pressure taking a toll?

Those on the bench (too many!):

Otamendi, Mangala, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Toure, Fernando, Delph, Sterling, Nasri, Gabriel Jesus, Jesus Navas, David Silva, Bony, Ihenacho

Squad depth seems to be the trend of this transfer window, Liverpool and Arsenal's midfield are certainly bulging however it appears that Manchester City have competition for each and every position, not only in the starting XI but also bench! As a result expect Pep Guardiola to introduce frequent squad rotation to keep everyone in such a start studded line up motivated, on top of this the likes of Bony, Jesus Navas and Nasri have all been linked with moves away.

Prediction: 1st
Top Scorer: Aguero
Player of the season: De Bruyne
Young Player of the season: Sane or Stones (if he moves)



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