Manchester City has a bigger midfield problem than Ayyoub Bouaddi can solve
There seems to be a simple solution to the midfield holes that have plagued recent matches that Manchester City have played. That is to start Ayyoub Bouaddi as the number six and build from there. On paper, that should work. Bouaddi is the best number six in the Manchester City squad. The young Moroccan midfielder is also the best player for the role in Enzo Maresca’s squad. However, Bouaddi cannot be expected to be the solution to City’s issues on the pitch. If the midfield system isn’t altered by Enzo Maresca, then the same issues will persist.
Ayyoub Bouaddi will not solve the Manchester City midfield issues on his own.
Ayyoub Bouaddi has been underutilised so far this season. He has played 439 minutes in 10 appearances for Manchester City this season. Watching a team play where Elliot Anderson is being asked to be everywhere in midfield doesn’t seem right. Enzo Maresca has preferred a midfield trio of Rayan Cherki, Enzo Fernandez and Elliot Anderson for the majority of the season. That trio has had their moments but too often the City midfield is far too open and easy to play through.
Ayyoub Bouaddi would help alleviate this issue if he was given a more prominent role in Manchester City’s midfield, provided of course that Maresca uses the Moroccan midfielder in his preferred role. Bouaddi started alongside Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez in midfield when Manchester City lost to Brighton a fortnight ago. Strangely, Bouaddi played an advanced midfield role. That move didn’t pay off as Bouaddi only played for 55 minutes before being substituted.
If Enzo Maresca is going to turn to Ayyoub Bouaddi after the international break to solve Manchester City’s midfield issues, he has to play Bouaddi in his natural position. Not in a role that doesn’t let Bouaddi play to his strengths and in turn help his team. It is that simple but that one issue has been prevalent during Manchester City’s three-game losing run in the Premier League.
Enzo Maresca has to implement a midfield system that suits his players strengths not one that he hopes the sum of the parts will fix.
A major task for Enzo Maresca over the international break is to find a midfield system that aids the cause for Manchester City. An issue, as I see it, is that Maresca is trying to play far too attacking with his midfield system. Having Elliot Anderson as the sole six and be tasked with playing two roles is too much to ask from Anderson. Playing Enzo Fernandez in an advanced role with Rayan Cherki is also counter-productive. Finding a system with the right midfield balance should be at the top of Enzo Maresca’s priority list.
The simplest solution is to play Bouaddi as the six and Anderson as the eight so the pair can play to their strengths. That would give Manchester City the right balance in midfield. It would also allow Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden or Enzo Fernandez to thrive with space as the number ten. Enzo Fernandez could play a deeper midfield role as he does for Argentina. The solutions are there for Enzo Maresca. It is time for him to keep it simple to maximise the assets in the City squad.
Ayyoub Bouaddi won’t be the sole solution to Manchester City’s midfield issues. Not in a system that doesn’t see him play in his preferred position. You can also say the same about Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez. For Bouaddi, Anderson, and Enzo Fernandez to improve, the Manchester City midfield must suit their strengths. Finding that balance and solution should be Enzo Maresca’s major priority and if he can find it City’s play and results should improve markedly.
