Three weeks into the new season and how do Manchester City stand up tactically?

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Man City were touted as title favourites by most of the football pundits. They had a very successful summer transfer window as they managed to get rid of deadwood i.e older players who did not fit into the scheme of things under Pep as well as managed to sign major targets for all key positions.

The signings of Kyle Walker from Tottenham Hotspur, Benjamin Mendy from AS Monaco and Danilo from Real Madrid cost the club around £138 million but they have certainly strengthened their fullback areas. Benfica’s goalkeeping sensation Ederson was drafted in to further add to the side’s defensive strengths. In attack, they did not need much reinforcement but still managed to snap up the impressive Bernardo Silva from Monaco.

Despite the £220 million spending spree, Man City haven’t enjoyed the best of starts in the Premier League. They do have 7 points from the first three games and are yet to be beaten but they have not been as fluidic as the fans and Pep would have liked.

Against Brighton, they came up against a well-organised defence and although they did dominate the game, it took them 70 long minutes to find the breakthrough. As for the Everton match, they trailed for most of the game and were even made to deal with a sending off for Kyle Walker but managed to scrape through with a point. In the third game against AFC Bournemouth, City went behind after a screamer from Charlie Daniels but pulled one back immediately through Jesus. They looked shoddy throughout the second half until they managed to find a controversial 96th-minute winner via Raheem Sterling who was later sent off for celebrating with the crowd.

Pep has used a 3-5-2 formation for the first 2 games, although he had to alter it after Walker was sent off against Everton. In the third game, he started with a 4-5-1 formation as he looked for more clinical gameplay from his boys.

Once City have their whole squad at their disposal and free from injuries or suspensions, it looks like 4-3-3 will be the perfect formation for City.

Ederson will be in goal. Kompany and Otamendi will make up the central defence. Despite Stones’ presence, the former are more reliable when it comes to defending. Walker and Mendy should likely be the first choice fullbacks. Walker was Man of the Match in the first game while Mendy looked impressive on his full debut. In the midfield, Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva pick themselves while Fernandinho should be making way for returning German Ilkay Gundogan. Gundogan simply provides better ball retention ability and is more creative although, the Brazilian is stronger on the ball and could be needed in certain big matches. The front three ideally would be Leroy Sane and Bernardo Silva flanking Gabriel Jesus. Sane’s pace and Bernardo’s creativity could prove to be a great combination for City and Jesus’ ability is known to everyone.

So while Pep is adamant to make the Aguero, Jesus partnership to work, it increasingly looks like 4-3-3/4-5-1 is the way to go for City if they want to play the attractive brand of football that Pep demands from them.

Read: Man City players ratings vs Bournemouth.