Pep Guardiola doubles down on Riyad Mahrez claim in Man City friendly
Pep Guardiola was honest about the problem Manchester City face in trying to replace Riyad Mahrez.
Since news of a transfer to Saudi Arabia became obvious enough that the Algerian didn't travel with the Blues on their pre-season tour, fans have been keen to know whether there will be a replacement from the transfer window. The issue for Guardiola and the recruitment team is that it is not straightforward to swap in a newcomer for someone with the quality and experience that Mahrez had.
"We are not looking for a replacement for Riyad in terms of skill because every player is different," the manager said ahead of their final pre-season game. "We will see what happens with loan players, and which players stay here. A few things are going to happen."
Guardiola is right that there are options. The most like-for-like replacement from within the squad would be Cole Palmer or Oscar Bobb, although neither had been planned to play such an important role in the squad this season and Palmer was expected to head out on loan.
Pep Guardiola might already know his Man City XI vs Arsenal
Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden can also play on that wing, but do it very differently to the way Mahrez did. Any of those options would be lacking in either the experience or the similar skills then, and any new signing would have to adapt at the Etihad as so many recruits have.
Against Atletico, Guardiola did not try and replace Mahrez. Silva and Foden were both named in the starting XI yet both spent the majority of their time in the middle.
City shuttled far more of their play through the centre and out on the left with Jack Grealish, and - or because- when the ball did go to the right there was occasionally Kyle Walker but no reassured presence
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