4-2-3-1: Manchester City’s Best XI vs Sunderland with 2 new boys starting

Manchester City fans will be absolutely delighted with the signing of John Stones, which may or may not round off a summer of exciting spending.

New boss Pep Guardiola has pulled a few rabbits out of the hat and Gabriel Jesus looks like a wonderful addition to a squad already bristling with attacking intent.

He won’t join up until later in the season but the signing of Stones makes so much sense. He will make mistakes and take time to settle. But he may even turn out to be as good as the imperious Rio Ferdinand in time.

TFF would love to see Vincent Kompany get back to his best. But we aren’t that confident about the long-term fitness of the 30-year-old and he, along with new recruit Ilkay Gundogan, are out injured until September.

So, for now, we are possibly looking at a back line of Stones and Otamendi – not bad at all. And they will complement each other. The Argentinian is a grizzled performer who doesn’t muck about. Stones will provide the passing class which could see a good partnership form early.

TFF would play Zabaleta and Kolarov right and left, with Joe Hart in goal.

Until Gundogan returns, we would dress the midfield with Toure and Fernandinho.

Then the fun really begins further forward.

Quite how Pep is going to shoehorn Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane, David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Nolito and Gabriel Jesus (on arrival) into the side will be fascinating to see.

We are already massive fans of Leroy Sane and feel he could turn out to be the best signing of the lot this summer.

Again he will take time to settle. But we’d fling him in from the off. So here is TFF’s strongest line up for the big kick off against Sunderland on Saturday at The Etihad Stadium (kick of 17:30 local time).

Manchester City fans: thoughts?

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