Pep Guardiola must consider tactical tweak to get the best out of star Man City signing

Is Pep Guardiola the only manager on planet earth who would get a brand new £77.6m centre-back and play him at left-back? Very possibly.

It's hardly surprising. The Manchester City boss prizes versatility as one of the most important traits a player can possess as it allows him to keep his squads small in personnel but large on options. Ruben Dias, Riyad Mahrez and Ederson were the only players not to play more than one role last season and you get the distinct impression the goalkeeper would play in midfield if only he got his own way.

So when Josko Gvardiol arrives and he's able to play as a full-back as well as his natural position... well, you just know Guardiola was getting giddy.

ALSO READ: City could secure transfer windfall from Liverpool

ALSO READ: City have clear target in sight for top-flight return

But just as the Blues boss would never dream of actually starting Ederson alongside Rodri in the middle, sometimes players should just be selected in their natural position. Of course, Guardiola had made a habit of playing centre-backs on the flank in 2023.

Last season's march to the treble triumph was typified by the likes of John Stones, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji playing at right and left-back as an entire back-line of central defenders took to the field. It initially looked as if Sam Allardyce had somehow replaced Guardiola with a dastardly plot to show his football was superior but - who'd have thought? - it turned out to be another genius innovation from the City boss.

Guardiola is obsessed with control. He wants his side to have the ball for as much as is humanly possible because the other side can't score if they don't have it. He wants to avoid quick transitions and minimise the chances of dangerous