Pep Guardiola has admitted that he loves cramming midfielders into his Manchester City team.
But the manager was quick to assert that he also fully appreciates the value of strikers like Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling.
The Blues boss essentially fielded five natural midfielders and winger Riyad Mahrez in his “front six” against Paris St Germain, whilst also playing the last half-hour with another, Aleks Zinchenko, at left back.
There are also plenty of people who think John Stones is more of a defensive midfielder than a centre back.
Guardiola has confessed his love for midfield players before, and explained why he was so happy to put his faith in so many of them, and leave serial goalscorers like Aguero, Jesus and Sterling on the bench.
“I like players with the ability to keep the ball, it is one of the biggest principles I look for,” he said, ahead of tomorrow’s league game at Crystal Palace, when he could well play all three strikers.
“The ball is the best way to defend and people have to keep the ball in difficult circumstances,” Guardiola continued.
“In all my career, I have played with a lot of midfield players. I have the feeling that you can play better with this, but at the same time we need everyone.
“Gabriel was so important this season, and I'm not going to talk about how important Kun has been and was in the past.
“Unfortunately he was injured most of the last year but now he is fit again. Raheem again - everyone is important but I have to admit that the players know I like it when they keep the ball and after we see what I produce with that.”
