Manchester City had a busy transfer deadline day with Gianluigi Donnarumma arriving at the Etihad Stadium as Ederson and Manuel Akanji sealed exits.
Pep Guardiola made a priority of trimming his bloated squad, with Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and others leaving throughout the summer. Akanji followed them on deadline day, joining Inter Milan on loan, while Ederson’s eight-year spell at City ended with an expected move to Fenerbahce.
Savinho was denied a transfer to Tottenham, so will stay to compete with new signing Rayan Cherki in attack. Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Ait-Nouri also signed, with James Trafford re-joining on a permanent deal from Burnley.
Gianluigi Donnarumma playing against Arsenal for PSG.
Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images
With a summer of change at the Etihad, their strongest line up looks vastly different from last season’s side, particularly in attack – and especially in the goalkeeper department.
Man City strongest XI after transfer deadline includes Gianluigi Donnarumma ahead of James Trafford
Gianluigi Donnarumma completed a late transfer to Manchester City on deadline day as Ederson left for Fenerbahce. With both moves completed, and Stefan Ortega also free to leave, Guardiola’s goalkeeping department has had a complete overhaul.
Donnarumma, due to his experience, probably goes in ahead of Trafford in City’s strongest team even if there are doubts over his ability to play with his feet in Guardiola’s system.
James Trafford of Manchester City reacts after conceding during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Guardiola didn’t sign a right-back so Rico Lewis will compete with Matheus Nunes for that position, with John Stones and Ruben Dias the strongest centre-back pairing.
Josko Gvardiol can operate in the middle and at left-back, but will have fresh competition from Rayan Ait-Nouri on the left flank.
Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki start ahead of Jeremy Doku and Savinho in Man City’s strongest line up
Savinho has work to do to repair his relationship with Manchester City after looking to join Tottenham, and the summer business could also see a narrower approach from Pep GuardioLa’s side this season.
With Rodri back fit and Tijjani Reijnders starting well, there is a solid base to work with, and Rayan Cherki has shown flashes of his talents in his early games at the Etihad.
Strongest Man City XI after summer transfer window:
Donnarumma; Lewis, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Reijnders; Bernardo, Cherki, Bernardo; Haaland
Cherki’s preference to play at number ten could push Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva to the wide areas, able to come inside and rotate with Cherki behind Erling Haaland – with Omar Marmoush, Savinho and Jeremy Doku able to come off the bench.
Ilkay Gundogan could also leave City with Galatasaray interested. The Turkish side have until September 12 to complete the transfer, but would need to register him by midnight on Tuesday to use him in the Champions League this season.