The beasts on the flanks

The Manchester City defence cost exceeds the annual cost of defence budgets of a few nations. Teams do need this sort of dream defence line ups with the influx of new strikers and creation of new look strike forces in the Premier League. After all, this is war and it looks as though 7 teams can challenge for the title, and in the EPL, anyone can beat anyone.

Benjamin Mendy

WAS IT NEEDED?

With the departure of right backs Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna and left backs Aleksandr Kolarov and Gael Clichy, the Citizens were in need of major reinforcements for the full back positions. The EPL’s best right back of the last two seasons Kyle Walker was signed from Tottenham Hotspurs for a whopping 45 million pounds. The left back position will be occupied by Benjamin Mendy who was signed for 52 million pounds from A.S.Monaco. 

With the purchase of Danilo from Real Madrid for 26.5 million pounds, who will mostly be the backup right back and start in cup competitions. Pep Guardiola has spent an unprecedented 123.5 million pounds on fullbacks. Yes, the purchases were needed.

HOW WILL THEY LINE UP?

With Benjamin Mendy in his line-up, Pep Guardiola could be tempted to switch to the 3-5-2 formation which has been utilised by Antonio Conte in helping Chelsea win the Premier League. But, he already has extremely good wingers in Leroy Sane on the left and Raheem Sterling/Kevin de Bruyne/Gabriel Jesus on the right. Wing back play would mean nullifying his team’s advantage.

It's more likely that he invested heavily in full backs to counter the oppositions 3-5-2 formation which sees the wide player operate as a wingback, with a 4-4-2 or a 4-1-4-1 formation. No wide player will be able to operate for the whole 90 minutes dealing with city's powerful threat on the flanks. Take for example, a right wing back dealing with the combined threat of Benjamin Mendy and Leroy Sane down City’s left flank. He may be able to do it but will he have the legs to get up front and provide crosses into the opposition penalty box?

This would result in them committing an extra body on the flank thus freeing up space in the midfield for guys like Kevin de Bruyne (if he plays as a 10) or David Silva to work their magic in the middle of the park.

IS IT WORTH IT?

While many may ridicule the spending and term Guardiola as the reason for the inflation in prices of defenders and a manager who can’t win anything without spending exorbitant sums of money, this decision was a masterstroke as it was the only place that needed strengthening. The two first choice full backs are proven players and at clubs like Manchester City, instant success is desired. They can hit the ground running. These purchases make City look like a complete unit with no chinks in their armour. With the beasts on the flanks, City, are now the favourites on paper for the 2018 Premier League Title.

Why couldn’t Pep promote a youth team player?

That just doesn't happen in world football anymore. La Liga’s Athletic Bilbao are the only club that would promote a youth player into their first team. Even if Pep Guardiola did promote a youth player, it would take a minimum of two seasons for that player to establish himself, thus throwing the desire of instant success into jeopardy.

Defence has always been the area which has traditionally seen the least amount of money invested. Even the football awards are dominated by the forwards. The transfer records also are held by the attackers. With top class attackers costing in the region of 70-80 million pounds, a quality defender with an average price of 40-45 million pounds, is reasonable.