Premier League 19/20: Manchester City's ideal midfield for the upcoming campaign

In a bid to mount a challenge for their third consecutive Premier League title, Pep Guardiola and his players have begun preparations for the upcoming season. The Catalan manager has a few absentees to deal with due to the Copa America and the Africa Cup of Nations being held this summer.

The Cityzens have been relatively quiet in this transfer window with Rodrigo from Atletico Madrid being the only marquee signing. Man City have a top-class squad at their disposal and Rodri's arrival has addressed the only weak link - lack of options at number six position barring Fernandinho.

Pep has opted for his preferred 4-3-3 formation thus far in pre-season and will try sticking to this tactic which has gotten him immense success at Etihad Stadium.

On this note, let us have a look at the likely midfield-three (one number-six with two free eights) to start Manchester City's season against West Ham on 10th August.

CDM: Rodri

The Spanish midfielder became Manchester City's most expensive signing after securing a move away from Atletico Madrid for a reported fee of £62.8 million. Rodri has ended the Cityzens' long search for a solid defensive midfielder who could succeed Fernandinho at the Etihad.

The former Atletico Madrid midfielder has featured over a combined duration of 130 minutes against West Ham and Wolverhampton Wanderers in pre-season. Rodri has fit into Guardiola's system like a glove, barely showing any signs of looking alien to his manager's demands, and with Fernandinho being unavailable for the early part of the season, the 23-year-old is set to shield the backline for first few games.

Guardiola praised his latest acquisition by saying,

"He is young, a typical holding midfielder who is so quick in his thinking. We expect him to have a long career with our club."

He is in the national team and in Spain they call him the second Sergio Busquets, so I think we have a good player."

A run of impressive outings for Rodri in the starting few weeks of the new campaign could also push Fernandinho to a substitute role.

LCM: Ilkay Gundogan

Manchester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League Asia Trophy Final

Ilkay Gundogan was deployed much deeper than his preferred role of a free number eight while deputizing for Fernandinho last season. Due to his versatility, the German international was able to shield the back-four with aplomb, whilst also initiating attacks by utilizing his impressive passing range. However, Rodri's arrival will help Guardiola in using Gundogan in his favored role of a box-to-box midfielder.

The 28-year-old has put multiple injury issues behind him, as he appeared in 31 Premier League games last season. Gundogan was forced to focus on the defensive side of his game even more as Bernardo Silva knitted attacks from midfield consistently.

Despite his deeper role, the former Borussia Dortmund man recorded six goals and three assists in the league in the midst of averaging almost five recoveries per game. Gundogan's nine-goal contribution could take a further rise next season with him most probably being deployed in a number eight position on the left side of central midfield.

Keeping Pep Guardiola's rotation policy in mind, Gundogan could be paired with David Silva to feature in alternate games for City's 2019/20 campaign.

RCM: Kevin De Bruyne

After enduring an injury-ravaged 2018/19 campaign, Kevin De Bruyne has looked fit and sharp in pre-season, leaving a multitude of fitness issues from last season behind. The Belgian suffered a torn knee ligament at the start of last season which kept him out for more than two months. A string of muscular problems followed which restricted the Belgian to notch up just 19 league appearances.

De Bruyne never got going last season due to sporadic playing time, managing just two goals and as many assists in the Premier League. However, Bernardo Silva took over the attacking responsibilities in his absence, stacking up 13 goals and 14 assists.

An optimum rest coupled with a shrewd fitness regime has helped the Belgium international in achieving top fitness levels ahead of the 2019/20 season. The playmaker has looked sharper than ever in his first two preseason games. After his compatriot Vincent Kompany's departure from the club, there have been talks to assign full-time captaincy to Kevin De Bruyne.

He'll look to repeat his exploits from the 17/18 season where he scored 12 goals and set up 21 for Man City across all competitions.

Edited by Zaid Khan