Pep Guardiola hints at major position changes for Manchester City duo following recent scouting mission

Manchester City fans could be on the verge of witnessing two major position changes within their first-team squad following a recent assessment from Pep Guardiola.

The latest emergence of a tactical option for the Premier League champions comes after the international break, which saw three first-team stars from the Etihad Stadium selected for duties with England.

As interim head coach Lee Carsley looks to strike his own style upon the Three Lions in the post-Gareth Southgate era, two of Manchester City’s selected trio took on new roles in the England set-up at Wembley Stadium in particular.

Having starred in the first of two matches, Jack Grealish followed up his goal and all-round excellent showing against the Republic of Ireland by retaining his role as the number 10 in-behind Harry Kane against Finland under the iconic Wembley arch.

Rico Lewis also earned himself a senior Wembley debut for the Three Lions, operating from the left-back role under Lee Carsley, but venturing into the midfield role and at one stage, combining with Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right-wing.

Speaking during a recent press conference, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admitted to paying closer attention to the second of England’s two recent UEFA Nations League contests, in which all three of his called-up first-team stars featured.

“I didn’t watch the first game, I saw the second one,” Guardiola said. “I saw Jack (Grealish) really well in the position behind the striker, more of a central position. And Rico (Lewis) played on the left, but played more inside, because he’s an intelligent player.

“I think both played good, John (Stones) also played good minutes in the second game. Yeah, very pleased, they came back with no injuries, fit, and yeah, good.”

On the subject of Jack Grealish moving into a central position under interim England head coach Lee Carsley, Guardiola revealed that City are aware of the former Aston Villa captain having such an ability, whilst Rico Lewis could make a similar change for his club.

“If we need Rico to go up and down from the left and crosses from the left, he’s not good,” Guardiola continued. “But if he has to play more in a central position, short passes, and attack more in central positions, he’s really good.”

It remains to be seen whether Grealish or Lewis could feature in their newly-emerged roles for Manchester City, however the rate at which the Etihad club will have to compete in contests could require increasing tactical flexibility.

The home meeting against Brentford on Saturday afternoon will be followed up by the start of the club’s latest UEFA Champions League adventure, with Inter Milan visiting the Etihad Stadium on matchday one of the new League Phase.

That meeting with the Italian giants will then be followed by the mouthwatering clash against Arsenal in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium, before the Carabao Cup third round clash with Watford arrives just 49 hours later.