Consistency of selection has been a new string to Pep Guardiola’s bow at Manchester City this season.
In August, the master of rotation caused a stir by actually naming an unchanged Premier League lineup. That XI beat both Norwich City and Arsenal 5-0, so all was well.
It’s fair to say fans were expecting a few more changes than the solitary alternation to the side that crashed to a 3-2 defeat against Tottenham ahead of Saturday’s tea-time showdown at Everton.
There has been a clamour for John Stones to be restored to the defence but in his specialist position of centre-back rather than replacing Kyle Walker at right-back.
Nevertheless, Stones has done a fine job when asked at full-back this season and will be a reassuring presence against his former club.
Although there was a focus on the defence after the Spurs capitulation, some of the problems were caused higher up the pitch as City lost control of midfield.
It is surprising, therefore, to see Bernardo Silva set to line up at false nine once again. Of course, no one really knows what a Guardiola lineup will look until it takes to the field but the Portugal star seems the most likely candidate to start as the central attacker.
As the two number eights, Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne are supreme operators but they cannot match Bernardo’s defensive output.
If City’s best player this season finds himself marooned away from the action in the forward line too often, then Everton have strong midfield runners in Abdoulaye Doucoure and Donny van de Beek to make hay. De Bruyne at false nine should be the call here.
At a guess, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden will line up on the right and left-wings respectively and target the hosts’ relative weakness at full-back.
Even so, Riyad Mahrez being left on the bench again feels like a potential misstep. City’s top scorer this season, no one is better than the Algerian right now in the clutch moments - whether those are from the penalty spot or in open play.
With the title very much up for grabs, Mahrez should be given every opportunity to make a decisive difference when those chances come along.
What do you think of Pep Guardiola making just one change to face Everton? Follow the City Is Ours editor Dom Farrell on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
