<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1YaHWi_0vX4iDWR00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1YaHWi_0vX4iDWR00" width="1210" height="806" ></figure>The basis of this article comes from the over-reaction to a simple question asked by the creator of Esteemed Kompany, Steven Mcinerney:<img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3mTlJM_0vX4iDWR00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3mTlJM_0vX4iDWR00" width="737" height="295" >That’s it. That’s the tweet.A simple question about the predicament that Pep has after the international break. But, like people do on social media, overreactions a plenty:“You wouldn’t ask this about Rodri!”“We still have a lot of games and competitions to play. So, calm down”“The pfa player of the year starts ahead of everyone easily except KDB.”These are just a few, but you get the gist. And with the Brentford match coming up in a few hours, it makes sense to take a closer look. So, we will touch on Phil Foden’s versatility and effectiveness, why it isn’t as easy a decision as people are making it out to be, and why being the PFA Player of the Year does not make you exempt from Pep Guardiola’s style of lineup management.Phil Foden’s Versatility &amp; EffectivenessAlongside Bernardo Silva, Foden is probably Man City’s most positionally versatile player. Last season alone we saw him play in every attacking position on the field. According to Football Critic, in his last 50 appearances for club and country Foden has played on the left 19 times, on the right 12 times, centrally 15 times, and three other positions in the midfield and attacking lines. And for City, he has been effective in each of those positions. Using FBRef Shot-Creating Action (SCA), which are actions that lead directly to a shot (passes, take-on’s, and drawing fouls), Foden was only second to Rodri with 144 SCA last season (2023-2024). He was also second to Rodri in Goal-Creating Actions, which are actions that lead directly to goals. Rodri had 23 and Foden had 21.These are just a snapshot of how effective he was last season, and it was capped off with the PFA PotY trophy. A little shine was taken off it by his EURO performances, but City fans know what he brings.We also know that Pep likes to have his creative players float around and trusts them to find the best areas to attack. We see it with Kevin DeBruyne and every match that he starts. He will start centrally, but often will get into the channels and wider areas to deliver his crosses or make it easier to let the winger play off him. Foden plays in a similar style to KDB, finding the open space between defenders and dictating play from there. The main difference is their final action. DeBruyne is a pass-first operator, whereas Foden is not afraid to take-on any defender and trust his ability/decision-making in tight spaces.So, the best season of his career last year and being the PFA PotY, what is making his shoehorning into the team a question? Well, that would be the incredible start that City has had to the start of this campaign!3/3 &amp; Back to an Old SystemSo, let’s start with the obvious; City have looked great to start the season. And, going into the international break, City are joint-top with Liverpool in the table. And it is not just that they are three out of three, but the way the team is playing is more intense and sharper than previous seasons. One of the reasons for that start has been the cohesion and effectiveness of the midfield.In each of the three games, Pep went with Kovacic, Bernardo, and De Bruyne midfield. Before a game was played, City fans were concerned because Rodri had a long summer and knew he would be getting an extended break. But they have been the strength of the team. Kovacic has done well filling in for Rodri, controlling the tempo of the game and even contributing to the scoresheet against Chelsea. Bernardo and De Bruyne have been their typical selves, with both providing assists and creating opportunities for the big man at the front of the attack.A quick look at FBRef shows a glimpse at the start of the year. xG is by no means the end all be all, but it highlights how effective the midfield, and Haaland, have been to start the season. Even just looking at the goals and assists from these four players shows their terrific start. It also shows a unique name that I do not think many would have had as a contributor to City’s attack.Rico Lewis has, arguably, been the biggest surprise for City fans this season. Not that there was a lot of doubt that he could do it, but the fact that he is playing with so much confidence that he is showing off midfielder type footwork from the inverted fullback position. It’s also been noticeable how far up field he has been getting. He routinely has been getting on the edge of, and into, the box. Seeing him take this huge step adds to the concern about how Pep gets Foden back into the starting lineup. Foden loves to work in the areas that Rico has been occupying, and it’s been effective because the wingers haven’t floated inside as much. Doku, Grealish, and Savinho before his injury all showed aggressiveness from the outer parts of the field. This left the middle open for De Bruyne, Bernardo, Kovacic, and Lewis to control. With Foden coming back, the question is whether he has the self-control to maintain the width of the pitch and allow the midfield guys room to operate. This isn’t to say that he won’t float with De Bruyne and Bernardo, but City look like they are playing a mix of last year’s style with the style they had with Sterling and Sane on the wings.ConclusionWith all the above being said, the original question isn’t as crazy as some of the responses suggest. Yes, Foden is the reigning PFA PotY. But we also know that Pep is ruthless when picking his lineups. With what we have seen last season and this season, there are two true statements: Foden is a terrific player who deserves to be in the squad, and through three games the team has showed a cohesion and effectiveness of a City team that we see show up in January or February. Pep has his work cut out for him to pick a squad every week, but it’s a position that any manager would envy with the talent available. And when in doubt, you must trust the man who has led City to four Premier League Titles in a row!</div></body>

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Momentum/Cohesion vs. Best Squad: Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City Lineup Question

The basis of this article comes from the over-reaction to a simple question asked by the creator of Esteemed Kompany, Steven Mcinerney:. That’s it. That’s the tweet. A simple question about the predicament that Pep has after the international break. But, like people do on social media, overreactions a plenty:

Momentum/Cohesion vs. Best Squad: Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City Lineup Question

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