Sport

Marmoush’s debut hints at a change in philosophy for Pep

Manchester City’s win over Chelsea on Saturday was a tale of two contrasting debuts. Abdukodir Khusanov won’t want to remember much of his first Premier League appearance, costing City a goal within the first few minutes. Omar Marmoush, however, demonstrated what he will offer Pep Guardiola’s team.

The Egyptian was energetic throughout the match and gave Manchester City a different dimension in attack. On paper, Marmoush was positioned on the left side of a front three, but he was afforded the freedom to come inside and link up with Erling Haaland. The two showed a good understanding for it being their first game together.

Marmoush’s debut hinted at how Guardiola plans on evolving his Manchester City style of play. The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has spoken about the modern game moving towards a direct approach and the way City played against Chelsea on Saturday suggests they are heading towards that.

Of course, Manchester City had already added an element of direct play to their game before Marmoush’s arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt. Haaland gives City the option to go long and this was evident as the Etihad Stadium outfit won the Treble two seasons ago. Opponents couldn’t handle the Norwegian’s physicality.

This season, though, Haaland had become an increasingly isolated figure at the head of the Manchester City attack. City were struggling to get players around the centre forward, eliminating him as a factor in and out of possession. This is another reason why Marmoush’s debut was so encouraging.

Not only does Marmoush pose a goal threat of his own, he could bring the best out of Haaland again, giving him someone to link up with in quick transition moments. Chelsea’s high defensive line might have played into Manchester City’s hands, but the energy of the hosts’ new look attack is something more opponents will face.

“It was not easy for Marmoush, as Reece James was monitoring him individually throughout the match,” Guardiola explained after the win over Chelsea. “When James is at his best, he is a very strong and fast player, but Marmoush made wonderful runs and movements that continued throughout the match. Marmoush is a calm player who has great speed, and is also able to shoot accurately. He has distinguished defensive intelligence.”

City’s rebuild has only just started. Kevin de Bruyne will be out of contract at the end of the season along with Ilkay Gundogan with Kyle Walker already pushed out the exit door to AC Milan. The defending Premier League champions have to get younger to play Guardiola’s high-intensity, high-energy game.

The midfield will surely be an area of focus in the summer. Rodri’s injury has exposed some of the structure issues Manchester City have in the centre of the pitch with Guardiola in need of more physicality. Martin Zubimendi has been linked with a switch to the Etihad Stadium with Atalanta’s Ederson also believed to be on City’s radar.

Defensively, City could also do with a left back to provide Josko Gvardiol with some cover. There are also questions over Ederson’s future at the club after strong links with the Saudi Pro League last summer. It’s become clear over the past few months that Manchester City are at the start of a whole new cycle.

While Guardiola was the architect of the ‘Tiki-Taka’ era as Barcelona boss, he has shown a willingness to try new ideas and methods as Manchester City manager. City might never be a long ball team, but with Marmoush now in their forward line they could look, and play, rather different over the coming seasons.