- Marmoush role at Man City questioned
- Pep Guardiola selection pattern noticed
- Summer uncertainty emerging around attacker
Omar Marmoush’s Manchester City future is already facing questions after Pep Guardiola’s recent tactical decisions.
Omar Marmoush arrived at the Etihad last year. However, he’s only made seven starts in the Premier League this season.
Likewise, questions are starting to emerge regarding how Pep Guardiola truly views the Egyptian within the squad.
He initially looked like a player who could drift inside from wide areas and operate close to a striker, but Guardiola’s recent team selections have created doubt over his importance.
Man City podcaster explains why Omar Marmoush may struggle for game time
Speaking on The City Social podcast, content creator LNobbins has explained why Marmoush’s game time at the Etihad could become an issue.
He suggested that Guardiola now views Marmoush and Erling Haaland as alternatives to one another instead of a duo.
“If Haaland’s fit for a season, he starts at least 32 games in the Premier League. So Marmoush is never going to play,” the content creator said.
City did try to use Marmoush as an inside forward, allowing him to operate as a second striker alongside Haaland. However, injuries and AFCON disrupted that experiment prematurely.
“Whenever Pep has a press conference or an interview, he’s always very careful to not mention Marmoush’s name when he brings up the wide players. And when he’s bringing up forwards specifically, he brings up Marmoush and Haaland,” LNobbins added.
Haaland presence could block Marmoush pathway at Man City
Haaland’s presence is the main blocker for Marmoush if Guardiola actually sees him as a striker. The Norwegian is usually fit and plays almost every Premier League game.
The goal machine missed only seven English top-flight games last season and a total of 13 across competitions due to injuries.
That is a relatively small number considering the multi-front war that Man City is usually involved in. While big game injuries might give Marmoush a chance, he probably will never compete with Haaland for the main striker spot.
Summer could become important for Marmoush future
At Frankfurt, the forward scored 15 goals and made nine assists in just 17 Bundesliga starts last season. Then at 25, he joined Man City, expecting regular minutes in an even better league.
However, he hasn’t been trusted as much by Guardiola. That doesn’t directly force a move this summer, but it asks him to make tough choices.
Although much also depends on Guardiola’s future, who is rumoured to be leaving this summer. Despite a contract lasting till 2027, the Catalan gaffer is reported to have burnt out of elite football.
Likewise, Enzo Maresca has been determined to be the replacement if Guardiola leaves this summer, and that can be good news for Marmoush.
Maresca constantly used Cole Palmer as an inside forward from the right flank. The City Academy graduate drifted into central pockets and combined with the number nine like a second striker under the Italian manager at Chelsea.
