Amid the hype surrounding Liverpool signing Florian Wirtz with a fee that broke the record in English football, Manchester City have completed a double signing that will revamp their midfield.
The Cityzens, winners of six Premier League titles in the last eight seasons, have signed Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki to fill in the gaps in their midfield.
With Kevin De Bruyne having left already and Ilkay Gundogan likely to do so as well, the Manchester City midfield needed a revamp. Now, with the signings done, it remains to be seen how Pep Guardiola’s men go about things next season.
Manchester City Likely To Persist With a 4-2-3-1 Formation
Manchester City are likely to play with their customary 4-2-3-1 formation that often becomes 3-2-4-1 with one of the full-backs shifting to the role of a defensive midfielder.
It can be assumed that Rodri will start alongside Reijnders in a double-pivot, with the latter having the license to play in an advanced role if and when the full-back shifts to midfield.
Reijnders can play box-to-box at times, going forward and then dropping back with almost equal ease.
Reijnders scored 15 goals for AC Milan last season and thus will provide the Cityzens with another goal-scoring option in the midfield.
Rayan Cherki will have the unenviable job of filling in the shoes of De Bruyne, providing the creative spark that the Belgian midfielder had been providing for a decade for City.
He will have to combine with the likes of Omar Marmoush, Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland to add the edge to Manchester City’s attack.
Cherki has scored 12 goals and registered 19 assists for Lyon last season, which certainly indicates the potential Guardiola saw in him.
De Bruyne has the record for the most assists in the history of the Premier League. Hence, Cherki will have a tough act to follow.
He will also likely have to fight against Phil Foden for a place in the starting XI, unless, of course, Foden starts as the right-winger.
In fact, Marmoush, who was signed last January and has played in 22 matches for the Cityzens so far, can also be considered as a part of the Cityzens’ midfield revamp.
He should primarily play as the left-winger, but might play as the man behind the striker as well, should Guardiola decide to change the formation.
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How the Club World Cup Will Help
Manchester City will play in the Club World Cup this month, which will give them a fair idea about their new signings.
The likes of Cherki and Reijnders will get an opportunity to adjust themselves in Manchester City’s set-up in real match situations.
It should provide them with some valuable experience ahead of the start of the 2025/26 season.
Stopping Liverpool will not be an easy task for the Cityzens, but they should give the Reds a good fight if their reinforcements in the midfield work according to their expectations.
It now remains to be seen whether Guardiola manages to replace De Bruyne and Gundogan in a way he would like to.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Sports Press Photo
Recording Date: 18.06.2025