Manchester City starting XI: Fernando or Fernandinho? Our writers select the best team Manuel Pellegrini can put out
Injuries ignored - what's the best team the Premier League champions can start with following their summer spending spree?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The latest round of Premier League fixtures are the first since the close of the transfer window, meaning that while squads have swelled, managers must now narrow their focus to pick their best starting XIs.
Many new players are in line to make their debut this weekend - but who should come straight in and which players have done enough in the opening few games to warrant a run in the first team?
Manuel Pellegrini is blessed with an incredible squad of players that got even better over the summer. Fernando arrived to add competition in midfield whilst Bacary Sagna and Eliaquim Mangala have boosted the defensive department. But it is not only in those areas Pellegrini has decisions to make.
This weekend, Manchester City travel to the Emirates to play Arsenal in which the Chilean manager's favourites will perhaps become a little clearer.
In the meantime, we've asked The Independent's writers and editors to pick their Manchester City starting XI. Any current injury problems were ignored, meaning the teams below are the best possible starting XIs available to Pellegrini according to our experts.
Glenn Moore - Football Editor
(4-4-1-1)
Hart;
Zabaleta, Demichelis, Kompany, Clichy;
Nasri, Toure, Fernando, Silva;
Jovetic;
Aguero
Ian Herbert - Football correspondent
(4-2-3-1)
Hart;
Zabaleta, Mangala, Kompany, Clichy;
Fernando, Toure;
Nasri, Silva, Jovetic;
Aguero
Jack Pitt-Brooke - Football writer
(4-4-2)
Hart;
Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov;
Silva, Toure, Fernandinho, Nasri;
Aguero, Dzeko
Tom Sheen - Digital journalist
(4-2-3-1)
Hart;
Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov;
Fernandinho, Toure;
Navas, Silva, Nasri;
Aguero
Matt Gatward - Sports Editor
(4-2-3-1)
Hart;
Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov;
Fernando, Toure;
Silva, Aguero, Nasri;
Dzeko
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments