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enzo fernandez
enzo fernandez
Manchester City head into the final match, before the super sized international break, with a nearly fully fit squad. Jeremy Doku could feature at Sunderland on Sunday, and he’s the club’s only injury concern. As Man City manager Enzo Maresca said on Wednesday: “Jeremy is quite close – we are happy!” Phil Foden remains out though, due to suspension. With that in mind, we could see a lineup shift, centered around Enzo Fernandez and Rayan Cherki, to make up for Foden’s absence.
Sunderland vs Manchester City FYIs
rayan-cherki
Kickoff: Sun. Sept 20, 2pm local, Stadium of Light, Sunderland, UK
Result Probability according to Google Analytics: Sunderland win 9% Draw 16% Manchester City win 75%
Premier League Standing, Form: Sunderland 14th, 4 pts LWDL Manchester City 2nd, 12 pts, WWWW
Let’s start with the £125 man, Enzo Fernandez.
We’re thinking the club record signing moves from a more defensive midfield position into a more attacking role. And with that in mind, summer signing Ayyoub Bouaddi then slots in to the holding midfield position group.
So up top, with Doku possibly playing here, but definitely not ready for starters minutes, we go with Cherki in the first team, over summer signing Iliman Ndiaye.
The rest of the lineup then, just basically picks itself. City are very likely to head into the extra large international period with another three points, and sitting pretty, with 15 taken from 15 possible.
Predict the Starting XI for Manchester City?
Gigi Donnarumma; Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Marc Guehi, Josko Gvardiol; Ayyoub Bouaddi, Elliott Anderson; Enzo Fernandez, Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo; Erling Haaland
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, RG.org and Ratings.org. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.