Centre Midfield

The pivot needs to be someone who is good defensively and can pass well.

Only Gundogan and Stones (if/when he joins) fit the bill atm imo. A.Garcia could grow into the role later on, hopefully we get to see him there at times this season.
 
Silva_Spell said:
The pivot needs to be someone who is good defensively and can pass well.

Only Gundogan and Stones (if/when he joins) fit the bill atm imo. A.Garcia could grow into the role later on, hopefully we get to see him there at times this season.
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Well, Yaya would certainly fit the bill as well, the question with him is his energy level. And given our preseason games, it seems like he still hardly gives a fuck, or was just off form. Anyway, yeah, you're probably right, though Fernandinho with good coaching can be an asset in this role too, hopefully.
 
As far as I can work out, in central midfield we have:

Fernandinho, Fernando, Delph, Gundogan & Ya Ya

plus; M Garcia, A Garcia, Zuculini (?) and the possibility of utilising Kompany and Zabaleta. Please add anymore i've forgotten.

I've read a lot about how some central mids could play central defence etc, but it seems to me, unless Delph really comes on, we might need another defensive mid? especially on 4 competition fronts.

that's mainly bcos i dont rate Fernando, Ya Ya might not be mobile enough anymore, Zuculini is shit and Garcia is young.
 
I think maybe think a bit looser in terms of central mid, as we may well play 3 in there..... 2 of which wont be far off CAM's.

So in terms of Central Midfield it could easily be a holding player with two attacking mids in front. So in that case i'd Add Silva, Nasri and DeBruyne who could play that role.

Like Busquets with Rakitic and Iniesta ahead. Then ahead of them, two wide men and a striker.
 
Johnny_on said:
I think maybe think a bit looser in terms of central mid, as we may well play 3 in there..... 2 of which wont be far off CAM's.

So in terms of Central Midfield it could easily be a holding player with two attacking mids in front. So in that case i'd Add Silva, Nasri and DeBruyne who could play that role.

Like Busquets with Rakitic and Iniesta ahead. Then ahead of them, two wide men and a striker.
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I said this in another thread the other day. Start of the season I think it will look like this

-----------------------Dinho---------------------
------------De Bruyne-----Silva----------------
Sane--------------------------------------Nolito
------------------------Kun----------------------

Then swap silva for Gundogan when fit, and use Silva in various positions in rotation.

So exciting. Hopefully we get a real glimpse of what's to come against arsenal on Sunday.
 
I would reserve judgement on Delph and Fernando. Delph was injured or played on the left of midfield under Pellegrini who seemed to think he was a replacement for Milner. Pep looks like he's willing to trust him in the centre of the park, where he's much better. He's quick and good on the ball and his energy is crucial in the league where we were completely overrun at times last season. He looked good against Dortmund and if Pep can really get him to understand his role in the side I think he'll be a key part of our side moving forward, particularly in the league. In Europe we might need a little more guile and finesse.

Fernando similarly might actually be played as part of a three man midfield where all three actually are central midfielders and he can protect the defence as part of a unit as opposed to on his own.

Yaya is the biggest conundrum. I don't see him fitting into our side. He's not mobile enough anymore and we can't allow any of our midfielders to have a free role in the side. Perhaps Pep will use him as a deep lying playmaker, but I think Yaya fancies himself being further up the field, but he lacks the legs to get back and defend these days. Vieira used to say he had to choose the times to get forward later in his career - do it once a half rather than consistently. I'm not sure Yaya has that discipline. Or whether he wants to be that disciplined.

Aleix Garcia seems to be an emerging player that Pep likes the look of in that pivot role. He's a class act and Pep will use him this season I believe.

If Delph stays fit, Fernando is played in a more complimentary formation and with Aleix Garcia and the signing of Gundogan we have a decent midfield. That's taking the glass half full approach. If Delph doesn't step up, Fernando is inconsistent and Aleix Garcia doesn't quite make that full step up so quickly, we've only added Gundogan and Yaya is a year older...

I think Pep will be on the look out for another central midfielder, but is perhaps happy to work with what he has this season and try and prize Kroos or Alcantara away from Real/Bayern in the next 12 months.
 
ah ok, so if Pep is going to push 2 of a midfield 3 forwards, then Fernandinho and Gundongan will fight for the remaining place nicely.

Interesting to see how 1 holding midfielder will work in the current Premier League. One holding mid was the case for many years but football recently has turned into a game of sit and pounce.

(cheers for merging, i didnt check in here)
 
Dax777 said:
If I'm reading this right there will only be one deep role, with 2 ahead. So potentially both Silva and DeBryune can occupy the 2 positions ahead of the deep guy. Unlikely due to their combined laxed work rate, but perceivable. That said, more likely than not, it will be Captain Dihno, Gundogan when healthy and one of Silva or DeBryune. The real question is who is the 3rd guy prior to Gundogan starting? Silva/DeBryune? Yaya? Nasri?

My instincts suggests the 3rd guy is actually Fernando. I think Fernando starts at DM until Gundogan is healthy. So Nando , Dihno and one of Silva, DeBryune will be the middle 3. That said I can see DeBryune starting outside in the beginning before the Nolito's and Sane's catch up. And then he moves to predominantly playing in the middle.
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How many of them do we have? we do know Pep likes many options
 
Adebayor said:
I said this in another thread the other day. Start of the season I think it will look like this

-----------------------Dinho---------------------
------------De Bruyne-----Silva----------------
Sane--------------------------------------Nolito
------------------------Kun----------------------

Then swap silva for Gundogan when fit, and use Silva in various positions in rotation.

So exciting. Hopefully we get a real glimpse of what's to come against arsenal on Sunday.
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Yep, and boy does that look good. He'll play around with all sorts i'm sure but similar to this would be our formation in most of the homes games.

Also it could be Fernando, Yaya, Gungodan.

Loads of options for midfield...
 
Neville Kneville said:
Just to mention, I don't see either Gundogan or Fernandinho being left out of the team very often unless it's to rest them or the oppo is considered cannon fodder.

I think both will play together quite a lot. Positions ? Dunno.
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I agree with you the only issue is we don't have much options to replace either at the moment. Yaya legs aren't quite able to keep up with his brain, Fernando is too slow, Delph isn't technically good enough for me. After that its Aleix Garcia or a totally different kind of player like Silva or de Bruyne.
 
pavelsrnicek said:
I agree with you the only issue is we don't have much options to replace either at the moment. Yaya legs aren't quite able to keep up with his brain, Fernando is too slow, Delph isn't technically good enough for me. After that its Aleix Garcia or a totally different kind of player like Silva or de Bruyne.
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Fernando might not be everyone's cup of tea, but slow, he isn't
 
Gundogan, Fernandinho, Yaya, Nasri, Garcia, Delph and Fernando.

It could be a lot, lot worse.

Still think full back is our weak area.
 
pavelsrnicek said:
I agree with you the only issue is we don't have much options to replace either at the moment. Yaya legs aren't quite able to keep up with his brain, Fernando is too slow, Delph isn't technically good enough for me. After that its Aleix Garcia or a totally different kind of player like Silva or de Bruyne.
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I don't see a problem with any of those players in a Guardiola team tbh. Just depends on what system he chooses. I think the problem was Pellegrini.
 
CityFan94 said:
Gundogan, Fernandinho, Yaya, Nasri, Garcia, Delph and Fernando.

It could be a lot, lot worse.

Still think full back is our weak area.
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I expect Gundogan and F'dinho to be the main 2 and if we keep Yaya he will play as an impact sub. I think Nasri will go, he lacks discipline. The rest will be in competition for a third midfield starter slot although that could go to one of the more attacking options as well!
 
Neville Kneville said:
Just to mention, I don't see either Gundogan or Fernandinho being left out of the team very often unless it's to rest them or the oppo is considered cannon fodder.

I think both will play together quite a lot. Positions ? Dunno.
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Same.

If we are to play 433 I can see it being dinho gundogan and silva in a midfield 3 and the front 3 being kdb Kun and sane.

Dinho captain when vinnies not fit
 
IWasHere said:
Same.

If we are to play 433 I can see it being dinho gundogan and silva in a midfield 3 and the front 3 being kdb Kun and sane.

Dinho captain when vinnies not fit
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There is also the possibility of Dinho in a back 3 thus enabling us to change formation to a 433 or 4141 whatever, any time during the game (& back again).
 
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