Enzo Maresca made an unexpected choice in his lineup for Manchester City’s opening match of the new Premier League season by fielding central defender Marc Guehi in midfield. The gamble paid off, as Guehi scored in the 84th minute, helping City secure a comeback win against Bournemouth.
Guehi partnered with Elliot Anderson in the centre of the pitch. After Marcus Tavernier's opener for Bournemouth, City found themselves trailing, but Guehi leveled the score late on, before Josko Gvardiol clinched the victory in stoppage time.
Speaking after the match, Guehi expressed his enjoyment of the new role:
I really liked it. Primarily because I received tremendous help and support from every teammate. When you feel that, it makes things much more comfortable — you just go out there, play, and try to do everything you can for the team.
Maresca explained that he had considered using Guehi in midfield long before the match:
It’s about finding solutions. I’ve known Marc since his time at Crystal Palace and have always felt he has the ability to play in midfield.
In the first two days after the match against Arsenal, we tried him as a centre-back who could push up higher, and in the last two days as a full-fledged midfielder. I think he had a pretty good game.
What's great now is that we have another option for the future.
However, competition in City’s midfield is set to ramp up soon, with Ayoub Boadi preparing to complete a move from Lille. Nonetheless, Maresca refrained from commenting on transfer matters post-match, as he had yet to receive fresh information from the hierarchy.
