It seems as though Pep Guardiola has been playing FIFA career mode a lot lately and he has emulated that same ambition in the real world, if his transfers are anything to go by.
All jokes aside though, he has made some shrewd signings this summer to strengthen previously weakened areas, and that has made Man City the team to beat in the upcoming season - even before it has started.
Let's take a closer look at the players the Spanish maestro has at his disposal and how he can play around with different formations and tactics to churn out some solid results.
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Goalkeepers
Guardiola wouldn't have imagined that after bringing Claudio Bravo to the Etihad last season, he would already be looking for a replacement in less than a year due to the Chilean shot stopper's abysmal performances last term.
That replacement came in the form of Ederson, a Brazilian keeper who was quite impressive last season with Benfica. The youngster seems poised to take the gloves from Bravo and become City's no. 1 this term.
Defence
It was one of the main reasons why City lost a number of matches last season and Guardiola wasted no time in getting rid of the older players at the back such as Zabaleta, Kolarov and Sagna and bringing in younger replacements such as Walker, Danilo and Mendy.
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In fact, Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy who are both record signings for defenders should comprehensively strengthen City's defence.
Let's not forget the leader from the back Vincent Kompany. If he can stay fit throughout the season he will undoubutely help the club keeping more clean sheets along with an improved John Stones (if pre season is anything to go by) and the experienced Otamendi.
Mangala and Denayer seem to be on their way out with the latter looking to go out on loan once again. Even then, City seem to have really improved this area with younger and better signings.
Midfield
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A midfield which already boasts of names like De Bruyne, Yaya Toure, Gundogan, David Silva, Fernandinho, Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane has been further strengthened with the acquisition of ex Monaco playmaker Bernardo Silva this summer.
The likes of Delph and Nasri seem to be headed out as there is no place for them in this already star studded midfield.
Forwards
Usually a top club tends to have more than two attackers in their squad but when those two attackers are Sergio Aguero and young starlet Gabriel Jesus, it should be more than enough. Wilfried Bony should in all possibility be on the way out, not that it would affect the Manchester club in any way.
Formations/Tactics - 3-5-2.
This seems to be the most likely formation Guardiola will opt for as we have seen in pre season a number of times. After Conte took the premier league by storm last season with his 3 at the back, a lot of English clubs have slowly switched to this system.
With Ederson between the sticks and Kompany placed in the middle of the back three along side Otamendi and Stones, the defence looks as solid as any other strong side in the league.
This formation would also bring out the best of attacking full backs Walker and Mendy who would be deployed as wing backs with Danilo being a great option for either wing when needed. The middle of the park could see Toure or Gundogan partner David Silva in deeper roles just behind the Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne who would have license to roam behind Aguero and Jesus.
Now with options such as Sterling, Sane and Bernardo Silva on the bench, City would be able to switch this to a 3-4-3 or a 3-4-2-1 as well with Sterling, Sane or B.Silva slotting in behind the lone striker.
4-1-4-1 or 4-2-3-1
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This was used a lot by Pep last season wherein Kompany would partner Stones or Otamendi at the back and Walker and Mendy could be deployed as right back and left back respectively with Danilo a backup for either side.
In the 4-1-4-1, Yaya or Fernandinho can be used as the CDM ( holding midfielder) providing license to roam ahead for De Bruyne and David Silva or Gundogan. The wings would be free for youngsters Sane, Sterling, B.Silva and Jesus who would be rotated in pairs by Pep so that each gets a chance to prove their mettle on the field.
The lone striker role would be up for grabs between Kun Aguero and Jesus with the latter being able to play on the wing as well keeping the possibility of both being fit into this system. As we known Jesus is one of Pep's favourites but Aguero showed his goal scoring prowess at the end of last season and is always fighting for a spot in the team given his heroics in previous seasons.
The 4-2-3-1 would be basically identical expect David Silva or Gundogan moving deeper along side Toure or Fernandinho and making it a slightly more defensive formation.
4-3-3
This simple yet effective formation would be identical at the back to the 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-4-1. The middle of the park would be pretty similar as well with De Bruyne moving further forward than
Toure/Gundogan/Fernandinho/D.Silva to slot in right behind the striker.
The front 3 could comprise of Aguero in the middle flanked by Jesus and Sane on either side as we saw during the end of last season. B.Silva and Sterling would be fighting for their place on either flank. Another possibility could also be Jesus being played in the no.9 role at times in this system with Aguero being forced out of the starting 11.
All in all Pep has a lot of decisions to make and a lot to live up to this season. But these are the kind of selection head aches any coach would love to have. City seem set to have a stellar season and Guardiola will definitely be rearing to go after a trophy less term last time around which is not what he is used to.
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My prediction: Manchester City to stay in the top two and possibly clinch the title in the end.
Words by Karan Manik - https://twitter.com/karanmanik5
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