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So, the transfer window is almost upon us, and Manchester City seem to be making headway on a number of targets already.
It has been reported that the reigning Premier League champions, who are well on course to secure a domestic treble, are poised to sign Atletico Madrid holding midfielder Rodri, along with Sporting Lisbon’s record-breaking attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes.
Once deals for those two are tied up, Pep Guardiola is also hoping to secure Benfica prodigy Joao Felix, who he sees as the heir to 33-year-old David Silva’s throne.
You may be asking yourself: “Where will all these talented players fit in amongst the current crop of world beaters?”
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If so, that is a fair question. If not, why aren’t you?
Rodri is seen as a replacement for Fernandinho, who has just turned 34, so his place in the team doesn’t need much explanation.
However, with the likes of Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne already at Guardiola’s disposal in the attacking midfield department, how could City squeeze Felix and Fernandes into their embarrassment of riches?
The potential lineup sees Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker as pushed on full-backs, the system that Guardiola prefers, and the centre-backs also split wide to receive passes from Ederson – in this system, Fernandinho drops between the pair, almost as a quarterback, something that the Spanish international Rodri will be expected to do.
The 22-year-old has been likened to a young Sergio Busquets; that should tell you all you need to know about what kind of player he is.
Further up the field, Felix – who can play anywhere behind the striker, but plays at No.10 for Benfica – could take on a left attacking-midfield role, where his strong right foot and preference to cut inside would cause huge danger for the opposition.
Alongside him, Fernandes, who is comfortable on either foot, will play more as a box-to-box No.8, helping assist Rodri before carrying the ball forward – he will also play close to Bernardo Silva, whose industry and ability would make the life of any player on his team easier.
Where does De Bruyne fit in, you ask? He will almost certainly start ahead of either Fernandes or Felix should they arrive, but the Belgian’s serious injury problems this season seem to have caused some concern about his ability to play consistently – David Silva also cannot be depended on to step up anymore as his powers are waning.
At left-forward and centre-forward respectively, Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero will effectively go about their business as we know they can – the pair have 37 Premier League goals between them this season.
If Guardiola manages to get the heavily-linked trio to put pen to paper on a contract with the club, the Citizens’ dominance in England could become unparalleled to anything we’ve ever seen before.