Wednesday 10 August 2016 13:26, UK
Pep Guardiola begins his Premier League tenure against Sunderland on Saturday, but how will he set up his Manchester City team at the Etihad Stadium?
The Catalan coach has been busily re-shaping his squad since his arrival from Bayern Munich in the summer, with John Stones the latest new arrival.
As City fans prepare for a first glimpse of Guardiola's side at the Etihad, we take a look at their possible starting line-up…
City have been linked with a number of goalkeepers since Guardiola's appointment, with the Catalan reportedly unsure on Joe Hart's ability to play the ball out from the back. There have been no movements yet in the transfer market, however, so the Englishman will be hoping to get the nod over Willy Caballero against Sunderland.
Guardiola has experimented with a number of different formations in City's pre-season fixtures, but he has generally favoured a back three over a back four. The former Bayern Munich boss likes his defenders to be comfortable in possession, and in Sunday's friendly with Arsenal he picked Pablo Zabaleta, Fernando and Aleksandar Kolarov.
Stones will be expected to come in for his debut against Sunderland, and the back three would be flanked by wing-backs. Gael Clichy has taken up that role on the left during pre-season, and Raheem Sterling was picked ahead of Jesus Navas on the right-hand side in Sunday's friendly against Arsenal.
Fernandinho is expected to play an important role for Guardiola having played more minutes than any other Manchester City player during pre-season. The Brazilian could be partnered in central midfield by Fabian Delph against Sunderland. There are question marks over how Yaya Toure will fit in under the man who let him go at Barcelona.
Sergio Aguero will lead the line against Sunderland, with David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne the most likely candidates to play in support. That would leave Kelechi Iheanacho on the bench along with new signings Leroy Sane, Nolito and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who might not be thrust straight into Premier League action.
