Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher had last year rated Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City above Sir Alex Ferguson’s treble-winning Manchester United! Well, this was before City secured the treble and joined the pantheon of football’s greatest. Anyhow, it is not just City’s winning streak that impressed the likes of Carragher. But it is the way they dominate opponents on the field with style and ruthless efficiency that commands respect. The Sky Blues’ journey into being such a brutal force started when they handpicked the world’s best players to occupy key positions in Etihad. The squad is so deep that many modern pundits think they have two starting XIs capable of winning any match!

City squad’s depth has always been garnering the notice and appreciation of pundits since Guardiola’s reign. Sky Sports’ Paul Merson recently said, “Man City will probably go and win the league, they’ve got two players in every position.” Remember, Man City has now fallen behind Liverpool and Aston Villa. Yet, their squad brims with so much talent that the likes of Merson would blindly bet on the Sky Blues. Let us think of Merson’s claim. Does City really house two world-class players in every position? Or are their players just being versatile?

Manchester City- a pantheon of contemporary greats

Manchester City surely has a dream team that we usually come across in video games. For the goalscorer that he is, Erling Haaland is arguably the first name that will come to a Man City fan’s mind when they hear the phrase ‘world-class.’ Since his goals speak for himself, Haaland is surely the best striker in the world now. He fell short against Harry Kane this season because he got injured. His strike partners, Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden, are two versatile attackers in today’s game. Foden can play as a winger and a midfielder. The World Cup winner Alvarez is useful as a second striker and a midfielder.

In the middle, Guardiola has got Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, and Bernardo Silva. Since his move to City, De Bruyne has been dominating the attacking midfielder’s role like no other other. Rodri, on the other hand, has been enjoying the reputation as PL’s best player this season. Kyle Walker is the real gem, as far as Man City’s defensive line is concerned. Playing on the right wing, Walker goes coast to coast in a blink, thanks to his pace. Meanwhile, Walker’s defensive pals are yet to raise the stakes. But City goalie Ederson is surely a force to reckon with.

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However, even while boasting such an impressive lineup, does City really house two phenomenal players in a position? Can they comfortably afford to miss Rodri’s services because they have a replacement?

Does City really have two starting XIs?

The most straightforward answer would be no! Imagine that the defensive midfielder Rodri is out for long. Which other defensive midfielder will Guardiola rely on? Kalvin Philips? The player is close to being branded as a flop of a signing under the great Guardiola. Besides, Phil Foden is naturally a midfielder. As needs must, Guardiola deploys him as a right winger. There is Oscar Bobb, a right winger who delivered on some occasions but is yet to break through from the U-21 team.

Speaking of the Manchester squad’s defensive fleet, there too, one could find makeshift players in certain positions. The club lacks a natural left-back after they loaned Joao Cancelo to Barcelona. Now, Sergio Gomez, a natural attacking midfielder, plays as City’s left-back. Other than Gomez, Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol also serve Man City as makeshift left-backs. This clearly means City, as claimed does not boast at least two great players in each position.

Versatility masquerading as depth?

Kevin De Bruyne has not started for Man City since August 2023, due to a hamstring injury. Thanks to Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic, and Rodri, De Bruyne’s void has not been that detrimental to the team. Haaland has been out with an injured ankle since December 2023. But City won most matches in the period. Julian Alvarez had stepped in and did what Haaland is famous for doing. City’s record signing Jack Grealish, too, is an example of a player capable of occupying two unique positions. He can be deployed both as a winger and an attacking midfielder.

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Therefore, City in fact houses the world’s most versatile players of the day. Their ability to deliver in multiple positions makes pundits think Man City has got two players game-ready for each position. That is not the case. That never was. The absence of a left back, a natural winger, and a Kalvin Philips’ struggle to replace Rodri proves that Man City’s depth is actually a modern-day myth. But as Paul Merson said, Guardiola and co. will undoubtedly contend for the title, not because of their depth, but their versatility.

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