2 Formidable ways in which Pep Guardiola could line up his £175m+ star duo at Manchester City

Manchester City never cease to amaze with their expenses in a transfer window and this summer should be no different. Having spent heavily last summer, the club seems ready to splash the money yet again with Mahrez and Mbappe linked with moves. The two superstars of the game would surely cost a colossal sum, with Mahrez costing £75m and Mbappe costing more than £100m. However, that shouldn’t be a problem for the club.

Let’s explore the two exciting ways in which Manchester City’s attack could line up with Mbappe and Mahrez.

4-3-3: The feasible choice

(Mbappe as inside forward on the left and Mahrez as the inverted right-winger)

This looks like the most feasible way for Pep Guardiola to integrate Mbappe and Mahrez in his attacking line-up. Mbappe is a natural inside forward on the left who likes to cut inside whenever there is an opportunity.

Similarly, Mahrez also loves to cut inside onto his favorite left foot from the right before going for a curling shot into the far corner or a cross to an attacker. This formation would give Guardiola the change to get the most out of two top-class players by playing them in their favorite positions.

Mbappe and Mahrez playing as inverted wingers will also help Pep in stretching the game on the wings with his wing-backs bombing forward – a trait common in all of his teams so far. The two wingers, Mbappe and Mahrez, will come in-field to congest it for the opposition and free their wing-backs out wide.

4-4-2: The Gamble

(Mbappe as the striking partner of Jesus and Mahrez as the inverted winger on the right)

It is unlikely that Pep would go for this formation, however, it could prove to be the ultimate wildcard. Mbappe is more than capable of operating as a striker up front and the French international even bears similarities to a certain Thierry Henry in this role.

Mahrez would form a part of a 4-man midfield as the right-winger and look to set the two mercurial strikers in Jesus and Mbappe free.

This formation might not give Pep the control he seeks in central midfield as it would take one player from the central midfield to the attack.

Yet, it could be the most deadly combination of a set of players ready to destroy the opposition with attack after attack. The two central midfielders, however, will have all the defensive work to them as rest of the players will find them in attacking positions more often than not.