Who is England’s most Pep Guardiola-esque player? | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola is now favourite to be named the next permanent England manager.

Lee Carsley will take charge for the final Uefa Nations League matches in November. Carsley had been tipped by some to replace Gareth Southgate permanently but looks set to return to the under-21s afterwards.

There have been a few names mentioned to take over, including Thomas Tuchel. But Guardiola has stormed ahead as favourite. Guardiola’s contract as Manchester City manager is set to expire in the summer, and he was coy about his future after leading the club to their fourth consecutive Premier League title in May.

Guardiola is one of the most-successful managers in modern footballing history and has changed the course of the game with his tactics this century. He’s the manager most fans want for their teams, and would be an interesting choice for international football.

Tactics and player choice were a big issue for England under Southgate. And Carsley came under similar scrutiny against Greece and Finland. But which players would immediately catch the eye if Guardiola were to take over as England manager?

Defenders

Trent Alexander-Arnold – There may not be a more Guardiola player to have not played for him. The Liverpool right-back just screams Philipp Lahm/Joshua Kimmich, ready for the move into midfield. His passing range is unbelievable, able to pick out a teammate from anywhere. He’s growing defensively too. You could just see him as a holding midfielder for Guardiola’s England.

John Stones – Obviously, some of the best Guardiola options for England will be playing for him at Man City. John Stones hasn’t played as much under Guardiola this season, falling out of the first-choice XI. But in the previous two seasons Stones’ versatility was key to Man City’s success, pushing into midfield. In the Premier League last season, Stones had an impressive passing accuracy of 93.62%.

Rico Lewis – Rico Lewis has started six of Man City’s seven league games this season. He’s started four in defensive midfield, one at right-back and one on the left. Lewis was Guardiola’s first-choice partner for Mateo Kovacic with Rodri out injured. It could be a similar case in England, if Guardiola doesn’t want to use Alexander-Arnold there. Lewis could partner Rice at the base of England’s midfield, but he could just as easily start at left-back as he has for Carsley.

Ben White – How about a curve ball? Ben White didn’t want to play for England under Southgate and may not want to return no matter who’s in charge. But if he does make himself available for selection again, the Arsenal man could be a good option. This season, White has averaged 1.4 interceptions per 90 minutes in the Premier League, with 1.6 tackles made and 85.81% passing accuracy.

Midfielders

Phil Foden – Obviously. Phil Foden is arguably the Man City midfielder that has thrived the most under Guardiola. Last season he pulled Man City through some rough runs of form, particularly with Erling Haaland injured. Foden hasn’t really found his role in England’s squad despite his Man City performances. But under Guardiola? Foden knows exactly what he’s doing and where he needs to be.

Jude Bellingham – Jude Bellingham is a player we’d love to see play under Guardiola. The Real Madrid midfielder has completed 80% of his final third passes in La Liga this season, completing 17.96 on average per 90 minutes. He’s also happy to be on the ball, averaging 83.06 touches per 90 in La Liga. Now, this isn’t the Bellingham of 2023-24, who attempted the fourth-most through balls in La Liga (18), but he’s still quality.

Declan Rice – Declan Rice was signed by Arsenal to be a defensive midfielder. But under Guardiola Lite (Mikel Arteta) he has found a slightly new role, showing his versatility. Under Guardiola we might see the return of the Basmati Busquets, keeping things ticking at the heart of England’s midfield. Last season for Arsenal in the Premier League, Rice averaged 76.04 touches per 90 minutes and completed 90.66% of his passes.

James Maddison – James Maddison is a player Guardiola has previously tried to sign, calling him “incredible”. He’s also one of the opposition players Guardiola has had a word with after game, when Maddison was playing for Leicester City. Maddison is doing well at Tottenham under Ange Postecoglou this season, especially in a slightly deeper midfield role. He ranks third in the Premier League for through balls attempted (five) and final third passes attempted (177).

Attackers

Cole Palmer – The one that got away, which is rare for Guardiola. Normally, players who leave a Guardiola-managed club do so because they aren’t good enough. Guardiola will have wanted Cole Palmer to stay at Man City, but the now-Chelsea man wanted guaranteed playing time. What better way for them to reunite than working together at England. Palmer is second for through balls in the Premier League this season and inside the top 10 for possessions won in the attacking third.

Bukayo Saka – Guardiola has compared Bukayo Saka to Rodri with regards to their importance to their club teams. He has also adapted the way his teams defend to combat players like Saka. So could you imagine Saka in a Guardiola team? He’s already ranking high in the Premier League for possessions won in the attacking third (nine), and he’s completed 87.9% of his final third passes. We won’t speak of the possibility of Saka playing at left-back.

Ollie Watkins – Guardiola likes selfless players, and Ollie Watkins is just that. The Aston Villa striker always seems to play with the team in mind ahead of his own goals. You don’t get a striker with Watkins’ numbers of goals and assists without him being selfless. He’d be a great linkup man, and has pace in behind — as Guardiola himself commented ahead of Man City’s win against Aston Villa last season.

Harry Kane – For Harry Kane, see Ollie Watkins. Guardiola may have Haaland in his Man City side right now, but he’d have just as much use for someone like Kane. That’s why he tried so hard to sign Kane from Tottenham, who he dubbed an “exceptional striker”. Kane isn’t the same man Guardiola tried to sign, but he still has a lot to offer maybe in a deeper role.