Grealish decision and Gundogan call - What Pep Guardiola's strongest Man City could look like

FIFA have issued a vague directive to clubs that they must take their 'strongest' squad to the USA for the Club World Cup this summer. Pep Guardiola reacted angrily to that idea, telling the governing body that nobody will tell him who to select.

What defines a 'strongest' squad anyway, he asked? And given Manchester City's struggles this season to maintain any semblance of form or fitness, what does Guardiola's strongest XI look like?

City have been open about the need to rebuild their squad this summer given the age of it and inability of too many players to stay free of injuries. Guardiola has favoured a younger group in recent outings with mixed results and performances.

He will want to continue to test out different systems and personnel in the final nine games of the season while doing what he can to secure a top four finish (and, he will hope, an FA Cup). There is also a Club World Cup campaign to navigate and some players to come back - Rodri, for example, could be back for the tournament in the USA.

But there is more to fight for before that, and individual players have their own futures to fight for. So what does Guardiola's strongest side look like when City return from the international break?

Oh boy - what a different question this is this season. I'm going to be controversial from the start and pick Jack Grealish; he hasn't played anywhere near enough games and that has to be telling of how he is seen, but when he has started this year he has made a difference - including against Real Madrid.

That probably forces Jeremy Doku out. The Belgian is a terrific dribbler but Savinho has the edge on him on the right, even if his finishing isn't as good on that side.

Erling Haaland obviously starts, and behind him