Manchester City’s attacking department for the 2025/2026 season boasts one of the most intriguing pairings in European football: Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush.
While the Norwegian striker needs no introduction following another prolific campaign in 2024/2025, the Egyptian forward has emerged as a rising tactical wildcard after joining Man City mid-season from Eintracht Frankfurt.
This data analysis seeks to explore the dynamics of their potential partnership under Pep Guardiola.
It examines each players positional roles, attacking tendencies, and statistical profiles to assess whether they are best utilised together or individually.
The analysis is built upon detailed data from Marmoush’s 2024/2025 season, encompassing his performances for both Frankfurt and Manchester City, alongside Haaland’s complete campaign with the Citizens.
By investigating their respective heat maps, shot profiles, dribbling zones, off-the-ball movement, and involvement in build-up play, we aim to determine which positional combinations are most effective and how their roles may evolve when deployed simultaneously.
A key aspect of this study revolves around identifying each player’s best position, not in isolation, but within the collective framework.
Is Haaland’s central presence more effective when flanked by Marmoush?
Or does the Egyptian operate more effectively from the left when Haaland leads the line?
The report will address who performs best as the primary striker and which role Marmoush is most suited to when both are on the pitch.
Ultimately, this analysis offers tactical insight into one of the season’s most fascinating selection dilemmas: can Marmoush and Haaland co-exist in the same XI without compromising City’s fluid attacking structure?
Or should Guardiola consider using them as rotational options depending on the opposition and match scenario?
The data will reveal the answers.
Tactical Heat Map Insights: Omar Marmoush Positional Distribution Post-January Move To Manchester City
The visualisation below maps Omar Marmoush’s positional distribution in Premier League matches for Manchester City following his January arrival, offering a revealing glimpse into his tactical usage under Pep Guardiola.
Omar Marmoush Position Heat Map At Manchester City Premier League 2024/2025
Omar Marmoush | Position Heatmap At Manchester City - Premier League 2024/25
Omar Marmoush | Position Heat Map At Manchester City Premier League 2024/25
It clearly illustrates that the Egyptian forward operated predominantly from the left-wing zone, occupying that channel in 35% of his positional actions, the highest single share across the pitch.
Just below that area, in the left half-space within City’s attacking half, Marmoush featured 9% of the time, often acting as an auxiliary playmaker when drifting inside.
His involvemen
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