De Bruyne?

[SuperSilva]

KdB will play... regardless of him joining us or not. So nobody should be looking into this too much.

The only 2 ways he doesn't is if he a) is injured or b) WOB have agreed a deal with us and its all but official that KdB is a City player.

 

[Shaelumstash]

It'll be 4231. Silva in the middle, Sterling and De Bruyne on the wings, Nasri and Navas are rotation/back up players, and Lopes goes out on loan again as he'd go backwards staying here this season.

Strange you should say that when we've started the last 3 games in a 433? Especially if we buy Pogba, he has no natural position in a 4231, he's much more suited to 433 or a midfield diamond.

Personally, I think Pellegrini has been instructed to introduce the 433 to pave the way for Pep's arrival in 2016. All of the youth team are comfortable with it, Sterling is comfortable with it, so is Delph, so is Pogba.

I think we'll switch to 4231 for some games, and even switch to it during games. But personally I think the overall strategy is to play 433 in the long term, and I think next season will see a transition towards that.

 

[@BluePhil8]

You can play 433 with an attacking midfielder as part of the midfield 3 you know?

Barcelona do it with Iniesta and Rackitic.

Fernandinho - Delph
De Bruyne

Sterling - Agüero - Silva

Would be fine.

 

[dachoosen1]

Don't think De Bruyne has the defensive work rate of Iniesta or Rakitic. As it stands now I see our midfield as

Fernandinho, Yaya
Sterling, de bruyne, Silva
Aguero
At home and have delph come in for de bruyne and drop to a 4-5-1 in tricky games.

 

[CityFan94]

Something doesn't fit in those wide forward positions if De Bruyne comes.

Silva, Sterling, De Bryune, Nasri, Navas, Lopes.

6 for two positions. At least one has to go assuming we're playing this 4-3-3 and not the old 4-2-3-1.

Navas. I see no reason for him to be here season if De Bruyne arrives.

 

[sam-caddick]

Navas. I see no reason for him to be here season if De Bruyne arrives.

I agree, I would have Lopes replacing Navas.

 

[CityFan94]

I agree, I would have Lopes replacing Navas.

Lopes brings more versatility than Navas, which I feel will be important this season. Sterling, De Bruyne, Silva and Lopes can all play in several attacking positions.

 

[CityForever45]

Well today he played with a sort of 4-4-1-1, so nobody knows what's really in his head

 

[Shaelumstash]

Don't think De Bruyne has the defensive work rate of Iniesta or Rakitic. As it stands now I see our midfield as

Fernandinho, Yaya
Sterling, de bruyne, Silva
Aguero
At home and have delph come in for de bruyne and drop to a 4-5-1 in tricky games.

I don't think you'll be too far off with this mate, but personally if we are going to play 4231, I can't see any way that Silva won't play as the central one of the 3. De Bruyne has much more pace and energy than Silva, and his crossing is seemingly unrivaled.

Imagine Silva with the ball at his feet with the pace of Sterling, Aguero and De Bruyne all making runs off the defenders shoulders, a frightening thought!

 

[dachoosen1]

I would prefer Silva through the middle too, him and de bruyne are likely to switch regularly anyway but I think we are buying debruyne on the back of him playing outstanding through the middle and I can't see him willing to move back out wide after the season he has had.