Pep Guardiola is expected to select an unconventional starting XI when Manchester City take on Celtic in their first pre-season friendly of the summer.
The two sides face each other in North Carolina in the early hours of Wednesday morning, as preparations for the 2024/25 campaign begin. But with 16 players missing, the team chosen by the City boss will look completely different from the one which ended last season in the FA Cup final.
All of those who were involved in Euro 2024 and Copa America remain absent, and from that group just Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic will play any part in the US. Jack Grealish, Ederson and Erling Haaland were the only regulars from last season who were named in the 27-man group that flew from Manchester last week, with a plethora of underage talents chosen to beef up the squad.
While it means there will be plenty of opportunity to see City’s precious youngsters given minutes, and for fans to learn a few new names, trying to predict who will start against Celtic is difficult. Defence is a particular puzzle with none of last season’s centre-backs or left-backs available. In fact, Rico Lewis is the only recognised defender who is part of the squad.
In midfield there are a few more options, especially with the returning Kalvin Phillips, who has been handed one last chance to resurrect his City career. In the attacking areas, Haaland and Grealish will hope to get plenty of minutes into their legs over the coming weeks, and will almost certainly play a key role across the four friendlies.
With all that in mind, here’s the XI we think Guardiola could select against Celtic…
1. GK: Ederson
Has been linked with a move away from City all summer but could start in North Carolina. Goalkeeper is one area Guardiola isn't limited in, with Stefan Ortega and Scott Carson also named in the squad.
2. RB: Rico Lewis
Said in a recent interview that he sees his future in midfield, but with the dearth of defenders Lewis will most probably be selected at right-back.
3. CB: Jadel Katongo
Has returned from a loan spell at Peterborough United last season, where he mainly played right-back. But Katongo could revert to his natural role in the middle on Wednesday.
4. CB: Jahmai Simpson-Pusey
The captain of last season's FA Youth Cup winning side, the young defender has been at City since the age of eight and could represent the first team against Celtic.