Man City's best line up with Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khusanov could put three players at risk

It won't be easy, but Manchester City could add a centre-back and centre-forward to their squad this month.

City are interested in striker Omar Marmoush who has 18 goals and 12 assists this season for Eintracht Frankfurt, while young Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov was a longer-term target that could be accelerated this month.

Pep Guardiola's side would benefit from another defender given persistent injuries to John Stones, Ruben Dias and drops in form for others. Khusanov might not walk straight into the best starting XI, but he would be given the chance to play if (or when) others are not able to.

That puts pressure on those defenders who have struggled to be fit - who might be better players but that is only relevant if they are available to play.

Someone like Stones would be put on alert by a new centre-back arriving, especially if Khusanov would be a player for the future and there is talk of rebuilding the squad.

Moving further forward, a best XI with Marmoush would probably see him slot in either next to or behind Erling Haaland. That is currently the position occupied by Kevin De Bruyne or Phil Foden, so it would likely result in a system similar to when Julian Alvarez would play before his summer exit.

Back then, Alvarez was at number ten, with De Bruyne or Foden joining him as a second number ten from their starting position. Either Foden inverted from the right-wing with Kyle Walker covering the flanks, or De Bruyne would push up from number eight with Rodri and John Stones covering behind him.

The issue is that City don't have Rodri until next season, Walker has been poor all campaign, and Stones has barely been available. Taking a number eight from the current system to accommodate another number ten