Starts were given to youngsters Muric, Foden and Diaz while some more experienced heads were welcomed back into the first team. It was good, for example, to see Vincent Kompany back in the side. So what would we have learnt from yesterdays progression to the next round?
John Stones: An Answer?
Going back to the summer transfer window, Manchester City were actively pursuing a defensive midfielder. Fred had been linked before he decided to join Manchester United while Jorginho opted to follow Maurizio Sarri to Stamford Bridge.
The window closed with no purchase to satisfy the position, and when Douglas Luiz was denied a work permit, City were scrambling for a solution. Gundogan hasn't impressed fully in the defensive role while Fabian Delph, who is naturally a DM, is currently employed as a left back.
In stepped the Englishman, John Stones. A defensive minded player who is comfortable in possession and moving the ball forward was tried in the position. Taking his role in the final knockings of the Premier League game against Cardiff, he went the full 90 last night.
He started out not convincing in the role, seemingly still thinking he was playing his usual position. However, as the game went on, I think he began to grow. Maybe a week on the training ground, along with competitive minutes, he could be a short term answer.
Foden - Stockport's Iniesta:
Talking about a guy who is growing in his role, Phil Foden had a milestone of a performance. We had always been told he was a talented individual, and some of us who have seen him in the last two pre-seasons, didn't need much more convincing.
The call to give him more minutes is understandable but we also need to make sure we do his growth and skill justice in the way we nurture it. A miss aside, Phil was my man of the match. A great pass, cutting between two defenders, was something David Silva would have received plaudits for. For me though, the composure he showed for his own goal was immense.
He also received a gushing endorsement from the opposition manager, which is always good. Will he start the next game? Probably not. But, if dealt with correctly, he could be a legend for the Blues for the next decade.
Fringe Players Grow:
This competition is great to get competitive minutes into legs of the fringe players. As with last season, you never know when you'll need to call on one. Gabriel Jesus started, and got himself a goal to boost his confidence.
Vincent Kompany partnered Nicolas Otamendi with Danilo on the right and Zinchenko on the left. None of the quartet did anything to harm their standing in the Managers eyes, and may have even given him a few thoughts for the weekends game.
Mahrez Settling In:
Two goals at the weekend, and another last night. Some City fans were starting to wonder if he was capable of recreating the form we saw from him while he was at Leicester. What a difference a week makes though, three goals from two games and signs of the Algerian starting to settle in his new club.
It must be somewhat of a change in his own mentality from being the guy relied on by the team to make things happen to being in a side full of talented, comfortable on the ball, attack minded players.
Youth Given A Chance:
Earlier I had said that these games give the manager a chance to keep the fringe players warm and ready. It also allows the manager to take a closer look at some of the younger players at the club. Training ground is good, and EDS matches are also fine. However there is nothing that can recreate the in game atmosphere of competitive fixtures.
Phil Foden was the stand out performance while keeper, Muric also did well. One rush of blood to the head aside, he did well. Brahim Diaz was forced off with a knock barely ten minutes after the restart. We await to see how he recovers, but the 55 minutes we saw him was, once again, positive.
There was even time for youngster Adrian Bernabe to make his first team debut, although not too much to see what the 17 year old has.
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