Pep Guardiola - 2024/25

[Lavinda Past]

Nobody knows what Pep's plans are.

The players obviously don't.

 

[meeesh]

That's becoming a lot more apparent every week.

Sad but true, I really thought once we'd won the CL that would have been the final piece of the jigsaw, as much as none of us wanted him to go I think he will look back and think maybe that was the time.

Even when bingo left the dippers I thought Pep would follow suit, but he's a winner and a fighter, and hopefully will get the full backing of the supporters, not to mention the club, and we see if he can finish on a high next season, where I deffo believe he will leave, no matter what the team achieves.

But back to this season or what's left of it, a top 4 or 5 (if applicable) to qualify for the CL is a minimum requirement, and I think we will do it, as for the FA Cup, that would be a huge bonus if we were to win that, as tough as the next round is, but it could well be the shot in the arm that makes him keen as fuck to have one big last blast next season.

 

[bluethrunthru]

 

[skybluepower]

 

[WallyA]

I figure this thread is as good as any to discuss the winger dilemma, Doku and Savinho.

Now ive seen some people want Savinho more LW, and to play Doku RW instead.

And those arguments havr alot of merit, even though almost nobody in europe plays with classical wide wingers.

If I think back to all of Peps winger combos, in which there are many, the ones that stand out are:

1) Sane and Sterling
2) Sterling/Foden and Bernie/Mahrez
3) Grealish and Bernie/Mahrez

The dynamic of the team around those players always made sense.

1) Sane and Sterling provided so many assists, while also getting some goals, but primarily we used them to create chances.

Being on their natural side playing wide suited them, this also meant our striker or 10 benefitted alot to score lots of goals (Kevin usually).

2) Then we lost Sane, so Pep went to inverted wingers, this is the birth of the more goal scoring Sterling, which being inverted attributed to.

Foden started as a LW here as well, and also got some goals around this time, even though he didnt invert.

His partner also being inverted scored some goals too, but was more focused on creating when inverting for the balance.

3) Then we have the last one, which kept 2 inverted wingers, but this time neither focused on goals, but both on control and creating.

This system only really worked because the midfielders had to score goals (Kevin, Gundofan, Foden) and they did.

4) Now onto Doku and Savinho, if that is the future winger partnership, how do we set this up?

I dont see them as a Grealish/Bernie combo, where you want them to create as inverted wingers, thats not their playstyle.

If we want them to focus to create, they are more similar to Sane and Sterling, go classical, stick Foden and Marmoush behind Haaland and score goals through them as the wingers create.

That will work.

Another alternative is to emulate the Sterling/Mahrez partnership, stick them as inverted wingers, but keep Savinho wide to create (his goal scoring is worse than Doku), and let Doku be like Sterling, not stuck purely wide, but allowed to run into the box more and be more of a goal scorer.

I think that will also work.

To summarize, I think currently Pep is playing our wingers akin to the Grealish/Bernie partnership, but they would be better suited in a Sane/Sterling combo, or a Sterling/Mahrez combo.

 

[warringtonblue]

I figure this thread is as good as any to discuss the winger dilemma, Doku and Savinho.

Now ive seen some people want Savinho more LW, and to play Doku RW instead.

And those arguments havr alot of merit, even though almost nobody in europe plays with classical wide wingers.

If I think back to all of Peps winger combos, in which there are many, the ones that stand out are:

1) Sane and Sterling
2) Sterling/Foden and Bernie/Mahrez
3) Grealish and Bernie/Mahrez

The dynamic of the team around those players always made sense.

1) Sane and Sterling provided so many assists, while also getting some goals, but primarily we used them to create chances.

Being on their natural side playing wide suited them, this also meant our striker or 10 benefitted alot to score lots of goals (Kevin usually).

2) Then we lost Sane, so Pep went to inverted wingers, this is the birth of the more goal scoring Sterling, which being inverted attributed to.

Foden started as a LW here as well, and also got some goals around this time, even though he didnt invert.

His partner also being inverted scored some goals too, but was more focused on creating when inverting for the balance.

3) Then we have the last one, which kept 2 inverted wingers, but this time neither focused on goals, but both on control and creating.

This system only really worked because the midfielders had to score goals (Kevin, Gundofan, Foden) and they did.

4) Now onto Doku and Savinho, if that is the future winger partnership, how do we set this up?

I dont see them as a Grealish/Bernie combo, where you want them to create as inverted wingers, thats not their playstyle.

If we want them to focus to create, they are more similar to Sane and Sterling, go classical, stick Foden and Marmoush behind Haaland and score goals through them as the wingers create.

That will work.

Another alternative is to emulate the Sterling/Mahrez partnership, stick them as inverted wingers, but keep Savinho wide to create (his goal scoring is worse than Doku), and let Doku be like Sterling, not stuck purely wide, but allowed to run into the box more and be more of a goal scorer.

I think that will also work.

To summarize, I think currently Pep is playing our wingers akin to the Grealish/Bernie partnership, but they would be better suited in a Sane/Sterling combo, or a Sterling/Mahrez combo.

You have more faith in the 2 current wingers than I do

 

[Dax777]

I figure this thread is as good as any to discuss the winger dilemma, Doku and Savinho.

Now ive seen some people want Savinho more LW, and to play Doku RW instead.

And those arguments havr alot of merit, even though almost nobody in europe plays with classical wide wingers.

If I think back to all of Peps winger combos, in which there are many, the ones that stand out are:

1) Sane and Sterling
2) Sterling/Foden and Bernie/Mahrez
3) Grealish and Bernie/Mahrez

The dynamic of the team around those players always made sense.

1) Sane and Sterling provided so many assists, while also getting some goals, but primarily we used them to create chances.

Being on their natural side playing wide suited them, this also meant our striker or 10 benefitted alot to score lots of goals (Kevin usually).

2) Then we lost Sane, so Pep went to inverted wingers, this is the birth of the more goal scoring Sterling, which being inverted attributed to.

Foden started as a LW here as well, and also got some goals around this time, even though he didnt invert.

His partner also being inverted scored some goals too, but was more focused on creating when inverting for the balance.

3) Then we have the last one, which kept 2 inverted wingers, but this time neither focused on goals, but both on control and creating.

This system only really worked because the midfielders had to score goals (Kevin, Gundofan, Foden) and they did.

4) Now onto Doku and Savinho, if that is the future winger partnership, how do we set this up?

I dont see them as a Grealish/Bernie combo, where you want them to create as inverted wingers, thats not their playstyle.

If we want them to focus to create, they are more similar to Sane and Sterling, go classical, stick Foden and Marmoush behind Haaland and score goals through them as the wingers create.

That will work.

Another alternative is to emulate the Sterling/Mahrez partnership, stick them as inverted wingers, but keep Savinho wide to create (his goal scoring is worse than Doku), and let Doku be like Sterling, not stuck purely wide, but allowed to run into the box more and be more of a goal scorer.

I think that will also work.

To summarize, I think currently Pep is playing our wingers akin to the Grealish/Bernie partnership, but they would be better suited in a Sane/Sterling combo, or a Sterling/Mahrez combo.

I think the problem is less so with the wingers ( even though they have their individual issues), but more so with the team at large. Our philosophy as a team, and our abilities as a team to meet the challenges of the philosophy we aspire to.

We are first and foremost supposed to be a high possession team with quick progressive passing. We are good at the first part but very poor at the 2nd.

I feel like until we solve the first problem of being able to progress the ball quickly out of the back and get it up to the wingers in advantageous positions ( more often than we currently do), our winger problems will be greater than it should be.

I was particularly impressed with our press in the first 60 minutes against Brighton and that too helped getting the nall early to our attacking players.

The way i envision it going forward, we really have 2 sets of wingers. The scoring wingers ( Marmoush and Phil Foden), and the man beating wingers (Doku and Savio).

Pep should consider keeping those 4 as the Wide options The dribblers hug the line, while the scorers come inside more to shoot and let the fullbacks run the line.

I think we need better technical players in midfield. Rodri and Gonzo when e want to be more defensive with one AM, and either one plus 2 AMs. I particularly will like one of Bobb and Echeverri to be one of those AMs and then we need a technical or flair/Vision passer to complement Bobb/Echeverri player in the double 8 role if (The original Kevin/David role,)

Wirtz being the favorite. But there are many who cam play this role.

Also at the back Khusanov and Dias cant both play unless one of them becomes significantly better at possession. Our spine needs to be full of technical and tactically excellent players. We can at most only carry 2 players who aren't exceptional technically for their position.

Right now Id vote Khusanov and Eeling as the 2. So Dias and Khusanov have to either sub for each other or get up to speed technically.

Erling is currently a nonstarter. He plays a the tip of the spine. Everyone else from Goalie through should become passing proficient.

 

[WallyA]

I think the problem is less so with the wingers ( even though they have their individual issues), but more so with the team at large. Our philosophy as a team, and our abilities as a team to meet the challenges of the philosophy we aspire to.

We are first and foremost supposed to be a high possession team with quick progressive passing. We are good at the first part but very poor at the 2nd.

I feel like until we solve the first problem of being able to progress the ball quickly out of the back and get it up to the wingers in advantageous positions ( more often than we currently do), our winger problems will be greater than it should be.

I was particularly impressed with our press in the first 60 minutes against Brighton and that too helped getting the nall early to our attacking players.

The way i envision it going forward, we really have 2 sets of wingers. The scoring wingers ( Marmoush and Phil Foden), and the man beating wingers (Doku and Savio).

Pep should consider keeping those 4 as the Wide options The dribblers hug the line, while the scorers come inside more to shoot and let the fullbacks run the line.

I think we need better technical players in midfield. Rodri and Gonzo when e want to be more defensive with one AM, and either one plus 2 AMs. I particularly will like one of Bobb and Echeverri to be one of those AMs and then we need a technical or flair/Vision passer to complement Bobb/Echeverri player in the double 8 role if (The original Kevin/David role,)

Wirtz being the favorite. But there are many who cam play this role.

Also at the back Khusanov and Dias cant both play unless one of them becomes significantly better at possession. Our spine needs to be full of technical and tactically excellent players. We can at most only carry 2 players who aren't exceptional technically for their position.

Right now Id vote Khusanov and Eeling as the 2. So Dias and Khusanov have to either sub for each other or get up to speed technically.

Erling is currently a nonstarter. He plays a the tip of the spine. Everyone else from Goalie through should become passing proficient.

I suspect Doku would excel if he is allowed to be a goal scoring winger as well (like Marmoush), with his dribbling being a great asset there (like Raphinha).

I agree regarding the role of the others as wingers.

I was more pointing out the systems of the wingers also require how the midfielders fit with them as well, as you mentioned.

I think Doku RW and Savinho LW for example could work if we have more goal scorers in the middle (Marmoush, Foden, Bobb for example).

But if we do the balance of what you said, 1 goal scoring and 1 chance making winger, we then balance that with 1 midfielder who needs to get goals, with the other being there as more support (like a 6/8 hybrid).

 

[Scoobz3]

Good article here re the changing tactics and different styles of clubs in the Premier league

https://theanalyst.com/2025/03/prem...acks-verticality-transitions-guardiola-iraola

 

[citymad]

Good article here re the changing tactics and different styles of clubs in the Premier league

https://theanalyst.com/2025/03/prem...acks-verticality-transitions-guardiola-iraola

The opta stats on goal kicks from 2015 to date is really interesting. Quite a lot of teams playing out from the back.

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

Good article here re the changing tactics and different styles of clubs in the Premier league

https://theanalyst.com/2025/03/prem...acks-verticality-transitions-guardiola-iraola

Very good article. Pep is trying to adapt to the new style by essentially playing two up front (Erling and Marmoush) but he needs more pace, creativity, and energy in midfeld to make it work. We need younger and faster players in midfield and this summer will be crucial. It is fascinating the way that football has evolved during the 58 years I have watched it. The modern game is unrecognisable from the muddy battles of the past. Much more athletic and technical but not always better to watch. I trust Pep to get it right again next season.

 

[TheGhost]

Very good article. Pep is trying to adapt to the new style by essentially playing two up front (Erling and Marmoush) but he needs more pace, creativity, and energy in midfeld to make it work. We need younger and faster players in midfield and this summer will be crucial. It is fascinating the way that football has evolved during the 58 years I have watched it. The modern game is unrecognisable from the muddy battles of the past. Much more athletic and technical but not always better to watch. I trust Pep to get it right again next season.

My mind was wandering during the England game last night and I was trying to work out if Haaland and Kane could have played in the same team. It might just have worked with Kane dropping deeper as a 10?

 

[Nevizade]

My mind was wandering during the England game last night and I was trying to work out if Haaland and Kane could have played in the same team. It might just have worked with Kane dropping deeper as a 10?

Don't think so personally. What we were desperately missing prior to Marmoush's arrival is someone to run beyond Haaland to stop us playing this horseshoe passing in front of the opposition's back four/five/nine, Villa away this season being the worst example of this although there have been a few. Don't think Kane gives you that option.

 

[uwe rosler 28]

My mind was wandering during the England game last night and I was trying to work out if Haaland and Kane could have played in the same team. It might just have worked with Kane dropping deeper as a 10?

2 players that can't press don't think it would have worked.

 

[Saddleworth2]

Good article here re the changing tactics and different styles of clubs in the Premier league

https://theanalyst.com/2025/03/prem...acks-verticality-transitions-guardiola-iraola

excellent article mate. Thanks for posting. It just shows how much Pep has changed things since he came. Not just the obvious with teams copying his philosophy/ playing out from the back etc. but teams like Bournemouth and Forest who have designed how they play to counteract how Pep plays. Teams that play low block football now are far far better at it than 8 years ago. They have had to be. He has changed English football from top to bottom. More than anyone else in the modern era.

 

[Kippax Street 1880]

Fuck have you shared this for pretty sure I'm on this thread saying he's a pretentious wanker. In fairness I was ride or die for Bobby at the time lol

 

[citymad]

My mind was wandering during the England game last night and I was trying to work out if Haaland and Kane could have played in the same team. It might just have worked with Kane dropping deeper as a 10?

Don’t think it would work unless you have two great wingers. Can you imagine Robben and Ribery with either Kane or Haaland up top? Talk about a goal fest!

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

Wouldn’t work unless you have two great wingers. Can you imagine Robben and Ribery with either Kane or Haaland up top?

Can you imagine what this City team would be like with wingers like those two. The number of times Doku and Savio fail to pick out the huge unit that is Haaland is unbelievable. I think Bayern are missing that sort of quality as well.

 

[Corky]

The opta stats on goal kicks from 2015 to date is really interesting. Quite a lot of teams playing out from the back.

The law on goal kicks changed in 2018 which had a massive effect.

 

[SouthStandStander]

@salfordpaul you was bang on with Pep signing.... Any news on the 115 case? When's the decision dropping?