If the squad stays as it is, what is our strongest 11?

Dr Jacoby said:
I am flabbergasted that so many of you have omitted Yaya from your line-ups. He would be awesome in a 4-2-3-1 formation, in which Gundogan and Fernandinho would be shielding the defence.
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A bit surprised myself but Yaya seems to have fallen from grace. Assuming as now seems likely he stays everything hinges on him bothering to get his mind and body into gear. If he still has some fuel left in the tank and feels he still has something to prove he could make a significant contribution. A lot of '"if's" but.
 
Father Paul said:
Nothing is guaranteed but it seems highly probable that Pep anticipates that Stones will be a regular starter this season commencing with a start TM perhaps
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I'm sure he will be once Pep has fine tuned him. Whether he has managed that in just a few days, we will find out tomorrow.

Really excited for the game, the place will be buzzing before the match, particularly when the team coach arrives
 
Father Paul said:
A bit surprised myself but Yaya seems to have fallen from grace. Assuming as now seems likely he stays everything hinges on him bothering to get his mind and body into gear. If he still has some fuel left in the tank and feels he still has something to prove he could make a significant contribution. A lot of '"if's" but.
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coming to the twilight of his career I fear his best days are behind him and will only feature as an impact sub in my opinion
 
From January:

Hart
Stones Kompany Otamendi
Sane Fernandinho Gundogan Sterling
KDB
Aguero Jesus
 
I'd say the defence and gundogan with fernandinho picks itself.
If we were hitting teams on the break, I'd favour toure joining the middle 2 with navas and sane with aguero for pace.
If we were defending high and looking to unlock a defence, I'd favour silva, kdb and sane with aguero.
We've not just got the option to play multiple tactics but also a manager who isn't afraid to change the system if it isn't working.
 
Dr Jacoby said:
I am flabbergasted that so many of you have omitted Yaya from your line-ups. He would be awesome in a 4-2-3-1 formation, in which Gundogan and Fernandinho would be shielding the defence.
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http://spielverlagerung.com/2016/08/05/guardiolas-tactical-challenges-at-manchester-city/

Read the tactical analysis which a lot of us saw watching our games last season, it's a perfect explanation. Yaya isn't disciplined enough or fit enough to play, however good he is at passing and retaining "safe" possession, Pep hates tika taka and that's all Yaya is capable of these days.
 
Shaelumstash said:
I think the target is to end up playing this team at home against weaker opposition.

I'm pretty sure Pep usually likes to play 3 at the back against a 4231. That's why he's gone all out for Stones and Bonucci, because it's essential to have centre backs who are comfortable on the ball to play that way.

Also this shape is the best way to get Silva and KDB in to the same team operating in their favoured area of the pitch.

Perhaps KDB will play further forward as he is a bigger goal threat, but Silva would take the piss in that team. Having two energetic grafters behind him who have the quality to get the ball in to his feet, KDB nearby on the same wavelength, real penetrating runs with pace out wide from Sane and Sterling for him to feed, and the movement of Aguero pushed right on the last man, we could actually score 10!
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I like the idea of Silva and KdB playing in positions where they can hurt the opposition. If any manager can create a system where they can play in the same side it is Pep. I remember having doubts that Ali B and Berkovic could play together but that team produced some wonderful football (at a lower level).
 
4 at the back:
Hart
Fernandinho Kompany Otamendi Clichy
Stones
Silva Gundogan
Sane Aguero De Bruyne​

3 at the back:
Hart
Stones Kompany Otamendi
Sterling Fernandinho Silva Gundogan Sane
De Bruyne
Aguero

Realistically (ie Vinnie injured):
Hart
Sagna Stones Otamendi Clichy
Fernandinho
Silva Gundogan
Sane Aguero De Bruyne

*Dinho/Gundogan either position​
 
Hart
Stones kompany otamendi
Fernandinho gundogan
Sane kdb silva nolito
Aguero
.kdb and silva in the middle where
They are most effective two protecting
The back three two wide players
Playing up and down the wings
The four across the middle in
Support of sergio
 
Silva_Spell said:
4 at the back:
Hart
Fernandinho Kompany Otamendi Clichy
Stones
Silva Gundogan
Sane Aguero De Bruyne​

3 at the back:
Hart
Stones Kompany Otamendi
Sterling Fernandinho Silva Gundogan Sane
De Bruyne
Aguero

Realistically (ie Vinnie injured):
Hart
Sagna Stones Otamendi Clichy
Fernandinho
Silva Gundogan
Sane Aguero De Bruyne

*Dinho/Gundogan either position​
Click to expand...
That's the killer one for me.
 
Hart
Maffeo
Stones
Angelino
Zaba
Gundogan
Fernandinho
Silva
De Bruyne
Sane
Aguero

I don't think Kompany will feature this season. Fitness not ability. Otherwise he'd have been in above Stones.

That is a very versatile 3-5-2 with Zabaleta in a Mascherano type of role.
 
---------------Hart-------------
---------Komps-----Stones---------
Sagna-----Fernandinho----Clichy
------Gundogan-------KDB--------
----Sane------Aguero------Nolito---
 
All of these teams have merit.

And as an opposing manager, I would be worried about the various potential combinations. But aside from the obvious trying to hurt City with set pieces etc, I know what I would try to do, in order to beat each & every one. If I got it wrong, I would be fucked, but if it worked, City would be fucked. And it's the same tactic, with pretty much every team folks have come up with.

There is a huge glaring potential weakness which 'could' be exploited if the oppo manager has the balls to do it.
 
Have we got a strongest eleven any more?
Assuming a 4-1-4-1 formation, how do you choose four from Silva, KDB, Sterling, Sane, Gundogan and Nolito for the attacking 4. I've left out Yaya and Navas and I'm assuming Fernandinho and Aguero are the "1s".
 
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