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Enzo Maresca still has a big Manchester City midfield puzzle to solve
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- Enzo Maresca still has a big Manchester City midfield puzzle to solve
Enzo Maresca still has a big Manchester City midfield puzzle to solve
It is a fair conclusion to draw that at this stage of the season, Enzo Maresca is yet to find the ideal midfield mix for Manchester City. His preferred midfield trio has been Elliot Anderson as the six, with Enzo Fernandez partnering Anderson with Rayan Cherki further advanced as the ten. The issue with that midfield trio is that it is far too open. The apparent obvious solution to this issue is for Maresca to play Ayyoub Bouaddi as the six with Elliot Anderson alongside him with Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden or Enzo Fernandez as the ten. As of yet, we are set to see Anderson and Bouaddi start a match together.
Enzo Maresca explained the City midfield situation yesterday and based off of his answer he has found the anchor for his midfield. The rest of the Manchester City midfield picture remains a work in progress as Enzo Maresca elaborated on further yesterday.
Enzo Maresca explained why he used what seems to be the ideal midfield trio for Manchester City the way he did against Brighton.
Manchester City lined up with Ayyoub Bouaddi, Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez in midfield for their 1-0 loss to Brighton last Saturday. However, the shape of that midfield trio caught everyone by surprise. Elliot Anderson played as the six, with Ayyoub Bouaddi leading City's press alongside Erling Haaland. Enzo Fernandez seemingly operated on the left of midfield but he looked lost and was ineffectual. Enzo Maresca was asked why he made the midfield moves he made against Brighton yesterday. He explained, jm quotes relayed by The Manchester Evening News : " The idea was to have Elliot close to the central defender for different reasons: for the transition, for the build-up. Both, they can play, they are a No.6 at the moment. But it depends the way we want to build and press, or use the other one a bit higher. "
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" It's a matter of balance. We have Elliot, Ayyoub, Enzo, Rayan, Phil, Mateo Kovacic when he played some games. So game by game and it depends a little bit on the game plan to use different players. For me, Elliot in this moment is playing more as the holding midfielder, but in future he can also play a little bit more up front. "
The ideal City midfield would seemingly have Bouaddi as the six and be built from there.
Enzo Maresca has now stated that Elliot Anderson is the six in his Manchester City midfield. Anderson has made a terrific start to life at City and has earned the right to be the heart of Manchester City's midfield. However, a major strength of Anderson's game is his ability to get around every blade of grass on the pitch. On the rare occasions that Anderson is bypassed when he drifts out of possession that is where Manchester City's issue lies. Teams can cut through City's midfield, especially when Rayan Cherki and Enzo Fernandez play with Anderson. That has been an issue for Enzo Maresca's side all season. Looking at the City squad there is a clear solution to this issue.
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Starting Ayyoub Bouaddi alongside Elliot Anderson would give Manchester City the midfield security that they need. Bouaddi thrives as a number six and his game does look to dovetail perfectly with Elliot Anderson's strengths. Anderson could cover the entire pitch knowing that Ayyoub Bouaddi is behind him to mop up any danger. Also, playing Bouaddi and Anderson together would allow Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden or Enzo Fernandez to play more in the final third, which is their strength. Looking at the City midfield, there seems to be a clear answer to fortify this area of the pitch.
Enzo Maresca has only worked with this City squad for four months. It is understandable that he is yet to find the ideal midfield for his team. However, looking at what midfield unit would best serve Manchester City, building a midfield with Ayyoub Bouaddi as the six with Elliot Anderson alongside him would be the ideal starting point. Rather than trying to complicate matters, perhaps it is time that Enzo Maresca utilises this option and builds the rest of his City lineup around that.
