Marc Guéhi returns to Crystal Palace tonight with Enzo Maresca having an unexpected decision to make over the former Eagles defender.
Guéhi was brought to City as a centre-back in January, and that, of course, remains his natural position.
Against Bournemouth last weekend, however, Maresca surprised lots of people by starting the England international in midfield alongside Elliot Anderson and Nico O’Reilly.
It went rather well.
Guéhi produced an assured performance, was named man of the match and eventually headed City’s late equaliser before Josko Gvardiol completed the comeback.
Five days later, Maresca has to decide whether to do it again.
Guéhi gives Maresca something to think about…
Maresca revealed after the Bournemouth game that playing Guéhi in midfield was not quite as spontaneous as it might have appeared.
He had considered the possibility before and worked on it in training ahead of the game.
The City boss was delighted with the outcome, describing Guéhi’s display as a “complete performance”.
Guéhi enjoyed the experience too.
“I felt good and comfortable,” he told City’s official website this week.
Maresca has since confirmed that the 26-year-old remains an option in midfield against Palace.
There is now more competition for the position. Ayyoub Bouaddi has arrived from Lille and is available on Friday night, while Anderson is fit after suffering cramp against Bournemouth.
That could see Guéhi return to defence.
Equally, Maresca may decide there is little reason to abandon something that worked five days ago.
The Palace game adds another dimension.
Guéhi obviously knows Selhurst Park and tonight will be his first return since leaving the club for City in January.
He probably expected to go back there as a centre-back.
After last weekend, nobody can be entirely certain where Maresca will use him.
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