The Manchester City Lineup That Should Start Against Bournemouth
By George Cannon
Manchester City can return their full focus to playing football after their two-year European ban was overturned on Monday.
Guardiola's men have already secured a second-placed finish in the Premier League ensuring they'll be playing Champions League football again next season.
The Citizens blew Brighton away at the Amex Stadium on Sunday. Back to back 5-0 victories coupled with Leicester City's recent fall in fortunes means City now have the luxury of prioritising the FA Cup and Champions League starting with Saturday's trip to Wembley where they face Arsenal.
Victory in those two competitions would complete an impressive treble adding to the Carabao Cup collected in March pre-lockdown.
1. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Ederson (GK) - The Brazilian keeper is just as renowned for his ability with the ball at his feet as he is for stopping it with his hands. He's kept five clean sheets since football's resumption.
Joao Cancelo (RB) - The summer signing from Juventus has been largely impressive when he's played but has found opportunities at a premium. The Portuguese full-back missed the Brighton game with a knock but should have recovered in time for Wednesday's encounter.
John Stones (CB) - The England international is 26 but we're still waiting for Stones to fulfil his potential. He started against Newcastle recently and came on as a sub at Brighton and could be used in order to give Aymeric Laporte a rest.
Nicolas Otamendi (CB) - The Argentine has been a divisive figure during his spell in England. Guardiola is currently blooding 19-year-old Eric Garcia at the heart of his defence and with the young Spaniard convincing so far, he is expected to be given a break ahead of a Wembley run out on Saturday.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) - The Ukrainian was originally bought as an attacking midfielder but has been moulded into a modern-day full-back at the Etihad. With Benjamin Mendy proving more effective but still unable to play multiple times a week, Zinchenko should start against Bournemouth.
2. Midfielders
Fernandinho (DM) - The 35-year-old has been a fan favourite at City for some time now. The Brazilian has proven to be a consistent performer and his cameo appearance off the bench at the weekend may point towards a starting role in mid-week.
David Silva (CM) - A fellow veteran midfielder alongside Fernandinho could start against the Cherries. The former Valencia man is into his final months at City and will want to go out with another piece of silverware or two to add to his brimming collection. The Spaniard tends to play a slightly lesser role these days and could be brought in to allow Kevin de Bruyne time off during this congested fixture list.
Bernardo Silva (CM) - The Portuguese playmaker appears to have endless amounts of energy. Despite not hitting the heights of last season, the 2019 Manchester City player of the year is still a constant threat.
3. Forwards
Phil Foden (RW) - The Manchester City academy graduate has been impressive since football's return and he'll be desperate for more minutes on the pitch against Eddie Howe's struggling side. He's often been deployed on the right-wing to good effect, most notably in the 4-0 thrashing of Liverpool.
Gabriel Jesus (ST) - With Sergio Aguero ruled out with injury for the rest of the Premier League campaign, 23-year-old Gabriel Jesus is currently performing an open audition to stake his claim as City's number one striker.
Raheem Sterling (LW) - Following his hat-trick against Brighton it would come as a shock to see the England international on the bench against Bournemouth. Sterling will want to add more goals to his tally in a late bid for this season's Golden Boot.