Manchester City could solve two problems at once with one clever selection decision
· Yahoo Sports
It isn’t a stretch to say that Marc Guehi has been below his best in recent matches. Three of the four goals that Manchester City have conceded against Ipswich Town and Aston Villa have come via mistakes from the England international. Guehi does look like he is in need of a rest. To start this season, Enzo Maresca has preferred to partner Ruben Dias and Guehi in the heart of City’s defence. With Guehi being down on form there is a simple solution on offer for Enzo Maresca to use to give Guehi a break and keep the heart of Manchester City’s in strong shape.
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It is time for Abdukodir Khusanov to move back to centre-back for Manchester City.
There looks to be one simple move for Enzo Maresca to make to give Marc Guehi a much-needed break. That is moving Abdukodir Khusanov back to his natural position at centre-back. For the majority of this season Khusanov has played at right-back. The Uzbekistan international has been serviceable at right-back but that isn’t his natural position. Khusanov thrives at centre-back and his pace and strength in a challenge does add a different dimension to the Manchester City defence. Shifting Khusanov across will help Guehi get rest as he does look fatigued and also keep Ruben Dias at the back.
The variable in this equation is the situation at right-back for Enzo Maresca’s side. Matheus Nunes has recently been injured. Nunes’ injury has forced Khusanov to be deployed at right-back. If Nunes is fit, Khusanov could easily slot back into his natural role. Enzo Maresca could even start Rico Lewis at right-back if need be. Lewis may not be suited to playing right-back in the Premier League due to the pace and power that many wingers in England’s top flight possess. But it is an option available to Enzo Maresca to give Guehi a rest and allow Khusanov to play the role that best suits him and his team.
There is also another option for Enzo Maresca to consider.
The same option also exists at left-back for Enzo Maresca to consider. Josko Gvardiol could shift to centre-back with Nico O’Reilly starting at left-back. Provided, of course, that Nico O’Reilly is fit. O’Reilly has been suffering from a back injury. That option is there for Enzo Maresca to pursue. Either way, there is a way for Maresca to rest Guehi and keep the heart of the Manchester City defence strong.
A shift at either full-back position is an option for Enzo Maresca to consider. Marc Guehi needs a rest. His recent displays indicate this. The number one option would be to get Abdukodir Khusanov alongside Ruben Dias. Playing at centre-back is where Khusanov does his best work. If that isn’t an option, Josko Gvardiol could also make the shift across. Either way the option is there for Enzo Maresca. You do feel that it needs to be considered to give Marc Guehi a break.