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Guardiola setting his attack from the back plan in full motion

Kyle Walker is a typical Guardiola player, one who can dominate the flanks at both ends of the pitch
Kyle Walker is a typical Guardiola player, one who can dominate the flanks at both ends of the pitch

Rahul Warrier looks at how Pep Guardiola is continuing to evolve Manchester City by adding defenders that play HIS way to the squad

For all of Manchester City’s investment in the transfer market in past years, there has been a clear imbalance in the way the squad has been assembled. While they’ve attracted attacking talent, they’ve neglected the full-back positions.

City last spent money on a right-back in 2012 (with Maicon being a failure), while spending money on Gael Clichy a year before. Pep Guardiola failed to address this last season, realising towards the end of the season that the full-backs at his disposal couldn’t go up and down the flanks for 90 minutes. The only chink in City’s armour has now been swiftly dealt with, and could be defining in the way they play this season.

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Bacary Sagna has long been past his peak, while Jesus Navas was converted into a right-back but rarely provided enough end product to be a viable option on the right, a reason to explain Fernandinho popping up there.

The ageing duo were both let go in order to accommodate the eventual signing of Kyle Walker from Tottenham, a deal that was excellent for many reasons.

Walker’s purchase may be a smarter deal than Dani Alves’ who snubbed City for PSG. Walker is much younger and provides pace and has a good cross on him, as seen with his five assists last season, the most for a defender in the Premier League.

Benjamin Mendy can set up goals as well as defend
Benjamin Mendy can set up goals as well as defend

Guardiola prefers to dominate the flanks, but was unable to really achieve this last season without a flying full-back to complement the numerous skilful attackers in the squad.

The total of 51 million euro (as per Transfermarkt) puts him in the top ranks when it comes to expensive defenders, but there is no doubt he completes the jigsaw, which makes it money well-spent.

In Benjamin Mendy lies the solution for the left-flank. His pace, technique and crossing bagged him eight assists in all competitions, including one against his new employers in the Champions League. Monaco stormed to the Ligue 1 title last season in part to the contributions of Mendy, whose contributions in the attacking half were crucial.

The 55 million euro for him is a hefty fee for a 23-year old defender who hasn’t really been tested at a high level but his potential is enormous and under Guardiola could be taken to greater levels of excellence.

City have also completed the transfer of Danilo from Real Madrid, a deal that only makes sense for the Brazilian’s versatility. He can cover both full-back positions, providing solid back-up for both, while also being able to play in defensive midfielder (the caveat being he only played here occasionally for Santos in the start of his career).

He was a big-money purchase at Madrid but flattered to deceive, which makes his move to City surprising. But City fans should trust in Guardiola, who must believe he will be a valuable member of the squad. The outlay on full-backs (with another left-back possible in) is in excess of 120 million euro, which may seem excess but makes up for several years of neglect.

Danilo has been brought in from Real Madrid and can play in midfield or defence
Danilo has been brought in from Real Madrid and can play in midfield or defence

At Barcelona Dani Alves provided an additional threat while linking up with Messi, by drifting in centrally at times, an example of the inverted full-back tactic Guardiola has become known for, but he generally stayed near the touchline.

In contrast, David Alaba and Philipp Lahm were known for their tactical flexibility under Guardiola: They would play as full-backs but would drift into midfield, providing a fluid shape to Bayern’s shape.

Guardiola attempted the same at City but eventually realised that Sagna, Clichy, Zabaleta and Kolarov were not capable of playing similarly to Alaba or Alves despite his attempts to push them in midfield. It is no wonder why he has gone for three specific full-backs.

Mendy and Walker are both explosive, bringing pace, power and technique, bringing into question whether they can play as inverted full-backs.

Whether Guardiola uses them as such remains to be seen, even though he is capable of re-inventing and moulding his full-backs into specific roles. Intriguingly however Danilo has the requisite skill-set to play the Alaba role.

This provides the manager with distinct styles in his full-backs, the remaining jigsaw to his puzzle. It may well be his most important position, and no matter whatever tactics he chooses to implement, City look set to soar in the coming season.

@rahulw_