A Centre-Back's Unlikely Detour

When Enzo Maresca named his side to face Bournemouth, the team sheet raised a few eyebrows. Marc Guehi, a centre-back by trade, was stationed in central midfield alongside Elliot Anderson. It was a bold call, and for much of the first half, it looked like a gamble that might backfire.

City trailed to a 26th-minute goal, and the experiment seemed to be unravelling. But Guehi, showing the composure that has defined his career, headed home an 84th-minute equaliser from a Rayan Cherki cross, before Josko Gvardiol won it in stoppage time. The 2-1 victory was secured, and Maresca's thinking was vindicated.

A Solution for the Future

Speaking after the match, Maresca explained his reasoning. "I know Marc from Palace and I always thought he could be a good midfielder," he said. The Italian had tried Guehi as a central defender stepping in during the first two days of the week following the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, before switching him to a proper midfield role in the final two days of preparation.

"Overall, I think it was a good performance from him," Maresca added. "The good thing is he now also gives us a solution for the future." The England international, it seems, is now "another option in the middle" for City.

"I felt good and comfortable," Guehi said. "There was a lot of work on the training pitch with the manager in the week before. I'm fortunate enough to have so many good team-mates around me and helped me before and during the game to feel at ease to step into that position. It was really enjoyable."

Back to Basics Against Palace

For the visit of Crystal Palace, Guehi's former club, Maresca shuffled his pack. Guehi returned to his usual spot in the backline, with Rico Lewis at right back and Nico O'Reilly pushed further forward. The change worked. City ran out 4-1 winners, with Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki both grabbing braces.

Guehi was back to his defensive best, contributing five defensive actions, including three clearances and four recoveries, while maintaining a 98% pass accuracy over the 90 minutes. Maresca was quick to explain the switch. "We try to find solutions. Marc was in midfield last week. Today we changed something. It's my job to find the solution."

Cherki's Impact

Cherki, who had been left out of the starting XI against Bournemouth, came off the bench to replace O'Reilly in the 63rd minute and made a decisive impact, assisting both the equaliser and the winner. Against Palace, he was handed a start and repaid the faith with two goals.

Guehi was full of praise for the 23-year-old. "Rayan is a fantastic player with such a fantastic future ahead of him. He's definitely made a difference coming on and usually does in any game he plays. He's a player we love and just want to carry on doing well. He's always smiling – he's just a good guy to have around."

New Faces, High Hopes

City's midfield has been bolstered by the arrivals of Anderson from Nottingham Forest, Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille, and the record-breaking £125 million signing of Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea in the final week of the transfer window. Guehi, who has made 23 appearances for City since joining in January, scoring three goals and providing an assist, has been impressed by the new additions.

"Elliot looks like he's settled in very well. It's still early days but so far, he looks very comfortable and like himself. I think we'll only see more and more and the best of Elliot," Guehi said. "Ayyoub is a very exciting young player with loads of potential and a great future ahead of him. I know everyone here will take good care of him and everyone is excited to see him play."

With the squad now brimming with options, City sit top of the table after two games with six points, ahead of Arsenal, Hull City and Chelsea on goal difference. Next up is a trip to newly promoted Coventry City on September 5. The puzzle Maresca is piecing together is taking shape, and Guehi, it seems, is happy to be part of the solution, wherever that may be.