…to our country’s capital.
Last Sunday’s Community Shield whet the appetite and, so, it’s time to tuck into the main course that is the start of the English Premier League. Can’t wait!
Firstly…
Yesterday’s transfer window closure saw us add strength
to our depth of goalkeeping, with the season-long loan signing of Derby County’s Scott Carson.
As I suspected - and said in a recent blog-posting - it did appear obvious that Pep Guardiola wanted experience back-up to Ederson this season, with last season’s ‘number 2’, Aro Muric, going out on loan for the season; new signing Zack Steffen doing likewise, Daniel Grimshaw not seeing any pre-season game time despite travelling with the squad to the far East and our apparent interest, for most of the summer, in Asier Riesgo.
As I suspected - and said in a recent blog-posting - it did appear obvious that Pep Guardiola wanted experience back-up to Ederson this season, with last season’s ‘number 2’, Aro Muric, going out on loan for the season; new signing Zack Steffen doing likewise, Daniel Grimshaw not seeing any pre-season game time despite travelling with the squad to the far East and our apparent interest, for most of the summer, in Asier Riesgo.
However, for whatever reason we didn’t sign
the specialist back-up, Spanish stopper and, instead, we’ve gone for a keeper
who made 4 appearances for Liverpool in his
3-year stint with the reds and has 4 England caps to his name. Welcome Scott.
Slightly under a lot
of radar systems – and not reported at ALL in some considered, high-profile,
sports-news sources – is the signing of Sporting’s Felix Correia. The 18-year old
winger (mostly right-sided) joins our EDS team, for now, for an initial fee of
£3.2M.
Other than those, Angelino
retuned to the club to swell the ranks of our left-wing back department; Joao Cancelo has to be seen as an big upgrade on Danilo for the opposite side of the defence - and
should provide stiff competition for Kyle Walker - and
the much-needed signing of Rodri has most definitely strengthened
our defensive midfield area considerably.
Players have left, of course, but not
including the retiring Vinny; only Fabian Delph and Danilo could be classed as
first-team regulars. Basically, we’ve strengthened considerably…and most
certainly in the areas most City fans wanted us to.
There are still some decent arguments around
to say that we should have found a specialist, experience central defender to
come in following Kompany’s departure. I get that. In fact, I think the club
made serious efforts to do so on several fronts but were either beaten to players
by other, top European clubs or were, quite simply, unwilling to pay the
prices being tagged to at least 2, Premier League central defenders I can think
of.
But we do have Laporte,
Stones & Otamendi as our main 3 with, Eric Garcia, who
has some first-team experience from last season.
Also, with the added shield option of Rodri
in front of those; it allows Fernandinho to
adapt his game and play in central defence too, whatever your thoughts /
concerns may be of that consideration. And, let’s not forget, there’s an option also
of playing both Cancelo & Walker together; with the England man
having some experience on the right-side of a ‘back 3’, should we need to
switch to that system at some stage.
Basically, we have options whenever
injuries, suspensions and general fatigue ‘kick in’.
Additionally, some Blues might put a good
case forward to suggest that we needed to add to our striking department this
summer; a debate that been raised in the last couple of seasons, with some
getting jittery at running with just 2, recognised strikers. I get that too. And,
in fact, perhaps any slightly-jangling nerves over that subject may have turned in to loud
clanging noises, as news of Leroy’s Sane’s, serious-sounding injury came in; a
knee issue that is going to require corrective surgery and is likely to see the
German international out for a few months at least.
But, again, I think we have more than
enough in our locker with the vast array of creative & goal-scoring
midfielders & Wingers to cover us should both Aguero
& Jesus become unavailable at the same
time; not to
mention flying wing-backs and a keeper with a finely-tuned, passing radar!
Finally, before I move onto tomorrow's game, I’ll do my traditional, season predictions once the
OUTGOING transfer window closes, as Premier League clubs can still sell / loan
players to teams across Europe; with the main closing date being 2nd
September (with just 2 exception countries).
v West Ham United
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:
(Number correct
from starting line-up in the last game: 9/11).
Fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-3-3:
____________________Aguero____________________
_____________________Rodri_____________________
Zinchenko________________________________Walker
_____________Laporte________Stones_____________
____________________Ederson____________________
Despite
a fine pre-season, it’s not like our manager to let sentiment get in the way. I
think, therefore, we’ll see Ederson replace the fully recovered, Claudio in
net.
A back-4
that, for the time being at least, largely picks itself; with Oleksandr taking
up his left-hand position, Kyle on the opposite flank of the defence, for
now at least, with
Aymeric & John in-between those.
New-signing Rodders to sit in front of those with the more advanced,
attacking midfielders / wingers likely to be Raheem, David, Kevin &
Bernardo.
‘Topping the tree’ is Sergio - kicking a ball in a City shirt for the
first time since the end of last season.
Claudio the back-up stopper; Angelino & Nicholas the defensive
replacement options. Fernandinho may have-had enough rest and training
ground minutes to make ‘the 7’ as a defensive midfield cover; new-contract-signed,
Ilkay, Riyad & Gabriel make up the more creative / attacking
choice-replacement-options.
Notable
absences:
- Benjamin Mendy – Still
recovering from long-term injury.
- Joao Cancelo – Not deemed
ready for action.
- Phil Foden – Not
selected.
- Leroy Sane – Need
surgery and injured until around March 2020 (step up Mr Mahrez).
Update (10.08.2019): Fernandinho hasn't travelled with the rest of the squad - I'm guessing that gives Phil a spot on the bench.
Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted)
line-up?
No probs with that.
Result?
As a lot of teams have, our hosts have strengthened, of course. I’ve had my eye
on Sebastien Haller, in fact, and to the point where I’ve stuck him in my fantasy football team.
He’s a big but mobile forward who looks a real handful! He could well score on
his Premier League debut, I would suggest / if selected.
And, of course also, The London Stadium
should be rocking with new-season optimism. This could be a toughie…
However, I’m fairly confident that we’ll have
too much for The Hammers over the 90+ minutes (and the “+”, this season, comes with added V.A.R. of course)
and, so, I’m going for a City win.
Last season’s,
corresponding pre-match prediction and result…
Prediction: Win
Result: Win
Expected weather conditions during
the game: Windy! It could stay dry and the sun might even pop out at some stage but
that open stadium will allow the storm-force winds to affect the game, I'm sure. Keep it on the floor fellas…and welcome
to England in summer Rodders!
