Playing quickly could be the next tweak from Pep Guardiola to his Manchester City side | OneFootball

At times last season, Manchester City played too safe in possession. There was a tendency for Pep Guardiola’s side to play the ball sideways and recycle possession outside their opponents’ penalty area. This did stand out when City played against teams who employed a low and deep defensive block. A new report from Rob Dawson for ESPN indicates that Pep Guardiola wants his players to move the ball more quickly next season. That is an exciting development and could help Pep Guardiola make his team a more dangerous proposition.

Pep Guardiola wants to see his team move the ball quickly when in possession.

Rob Dawson’s report for ESPN contains a host of interesting pieces of information from Manchester City’s FIFA Club World Cup training camp which is being held in Boca Raton, Florida. One particular piece of information does stand out.

Dawson reports that Pep Guardiola wants his team to move the ball quickly when in possession. Furthermore, Dawson reports that Guardiola has in part been inspired by the play of PSG in their 5-nil thrashing of Inter Milan during last season’s Champions League final. Dawson adds that new Manchester City assistant Pep Lijnders has been constantly yelling “speed, speed” while the City players train.

Manchester City’s new signings and the return of key players could help Guardiola get his wish.

As Manchester City steadied late in the 24/25 season, Pep Guardiola employed a system that suited the players he had in his squad. A 4-2-2-2 formation was employed that suited the players and masked their weaknesses. A midfield unit of Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, Mateo Kovacic and Kevin De Bruyne was preferred by Pep Guardiola. That group of players could control possession and added stability to City’s play. But they couldn’t cover the pitch well so the 4-2-2-2 system covered that flaw. If the Manchester City squad of 24/25 was to move the ball quickly, it wouldn’t have suited them. But the current squad Pep Guardiola has to utilise is a different proposition entirely.

Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki are players who are technically brilliant and intelligent. They have the capabilities to play quick passes and move into space. The same can be said of Rayan Ait-Nouri. Their addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad should cater to Guardiola’s wish to move the ball quickly. Factor in the return of Rodri, and the possibility of Phil Foden returning to his best next season and this City squad should be able to cater to the new demand of Pep Guardiola. Add players like Omar Marmoush, Savinho, Nico and Jeremy Doku to the mix and Pep Guardiola does have the players in his squad to play with a quicker tempo when in possession.

Perhaps playing with a quicker tempo will also create more opportunities for Erling Haaland. It will also help Manchester City unsettle the low defensive blocks they face with regularity. Quick ball movement can pull defenders out of position and the entire City side should benefit from this approach.

Summary.

Rob Dawson’s new report is a promising sign for what could be for Pep Guardiola and his team. The Manchester City squad has the players to move the ball quickly and play with a quicker tempo when in possession. So it will be interesting to see if and when Guardiola’s apparent tactical shift can be noticed on the pitch.