How would Manchester City line up with Alexis Sanchez?
Manchester City look set to sign Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal for £60 million. Where will he fit in among their plethora of attacking talent?
It has been reported that Arsenal have accepted a bid from Manchester City for the services of Alexis Sanchez. City already have an excellent array of attacking players on their books though, so where would he fit into their side?
Pep Guardiola is a tough manager to predict. He employed eight different starting formations in the Premier League last season. However, the most common was 4-2-3-1, which Sanchez will be very used to from his time at Arsenal.
The Chilean international has played half of his Arsenal games on the left side of the three players behind the striker. He has contributed 33 goals and 20 assists in 73 matches there, so it hasn’t dulled his attacking instincts.
If Sanchez were to play there for City, then he would likely displace Leroy Sane from the side. Of the six players to feature on the left of midfield for Guardiola’s team last season, he made by far the most starts, with 15.
The young German has only started one of the three league games so far this season, though. In total he has played just 99 minutes, and hasn’t scored or assisted a goal. Sane may have to get used to a fairly permanent place on the bench. That said, City reportedly offered Raheem Sterling to Arsenal as part of the Sanchez deal. It could be that the former Liverpool wide man will be the one to make way.
Sanchez has also played on the right side for Arsenal. This would seem an unlikely way into the City side for him though. He hasn’t played more than nine league games per season there, and Bernardo Silva has already been brought in at great expense to take that spot.
Should Sanchez lead the line?
The Chilean superstar will perhaps play up front, as he has an impressive record. He has been directly involved in 33 goals in 34 appearances there for Arsenal. This would require at least one, or maybe both, of Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus missing out. As much as he’s a City legend, you would expect it more likely to be the former than the latter.
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In reality, Sanchez will probably need to get accustomed to multiple formations and positions at City. Guardiola wouldn’t have it any other way. A left sided berth of some description, either in a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1, seems the most likely.