Who are the runners in a Man City midfield?
I don’t think it’s huge necessity against Tottenham.
As our #9 most definitely. I don’t remember any games where he was at a high level while playing in the midfield. Which matches are you referring to?
His form picked up in general in 2024, wherever he played.
There have been games where he played both positions too like against Bayern, Wolves, Porto, Brentford, etc.
And even recently against Brighton and Wolves again.
In fact, the sub of Calafiori and pulling back Havertz helped us a lot. We nearly won the game in the end despite playing with 10 men and Brighton having the momentum with the equaliser that came shortly after the red card.
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You wouldn’t go five at the back though right? Straight swap at left back?
Yeah.
I’m wondering who will start at left back. Calafiori has impressed in both of his last cameos. Timber was decent but nothing noteworthy I’d say.
I think there is a case about White actually being dropped, Timber starts at RB and Calafiori at LB. He’s one of my favourites but White has looked sluggish in preseason and it carried over in the season too.
Arteta will play the players he trusts, especially in big games
White is one of them, so he won’t be dropped.
He’s dropped him for Tomiyasu before. I think Arteta also trusts Timber quite a bit and it looks like the same applies for Calafiori.
I think White being rested during the international break and preparing with the team ahead of the game gives him the edge though.
“At a very high level” is the only part I’d quibble over. I relent though. He did have games in midfield where he played well. I think against West Ham was when it worked perfectly.
The team went into a bit of a 5-4-0 versus Brighton. Havertz played well within the circumstances.
Havertz-Partey-Odegaard would make sense given Arteta’s general preferences. On-ball quality isn’t a primary requisite for his midfield.
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Yeah, it was 5-3-1(Saka up top) initially and then it became a 5-4-0(or 5-2-2) with the introduction of Martinelli.
He’s looked tired for sure, which is weird because he had the summer off. But I’m nervous about disrupting the right sided mind meld thing he has with Saka. Not saying Timber couldn’t do it, I just know White can.
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White has been dropped for Tactical reasons once the whole time he’s been here which was when City pumped us 3-1 at home and Tomiyasu gifted a goal.
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No he has not.
When?
There’s no choice other than Havertz LCM, we can’t have a midfield of Partey and Jorginho, we will get destroyed by any bit of pace or have to play a reserved game which is not our style.
Havertz - Partey - Odegaard with Martin being a bit deeper than usual and Havertz pushing on towards (and beyond) whoever is at CF so we still have the long out ball.
Jesus vs Trossard for CF
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Liverpool have fielded a midfield consisting of Elliott-Endo-Mac Allister last season and beat Spurs. Man City don’t have pace in there midfield either.
There’s going to be flaws in the midfield no matter what. But whatever we gain in pace we’ll lose in terms of general quality of play in the midfield.
EDIT: I’d prefer to play Zinchenko or Timber in midfield over Havertz being dropped deeper.
Yep.
If Jesus recovers soon he’ll probably play up top, if not, Trossard will get the nod up front and Martinelli and Sterling will have to fight for the spot on the left.
Everyone has a podcast these days
This needs to stop.
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It sound’s like shit and smells like spam
Wheres the bleach?