Riyad Mahrez struggled to make a telling impact in Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday evening and is likely to lose his place against Wolverhampton Wanderers as a result. Bernardo Silva was surprisingly named on the bench in midweek but should return to the starting eleven in the 31-year-old’s stead.
Mahrez failed to register a shot, create a chance or whip in an accurate cross against Dortmund, so Pep Guardiola has to call upon City’s stellar playmaker. Silva has contributed more goals than the Algerian international this season and has put in better performances, so it’s a no-brainer to make the switch.
Where will Manchester City finish in the Premier League this season?
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th or lower
Silva is 3rd in the City squad for successful dribbles (1.2 per game), 2nd for goals (2), 5th for chances created (1.3 per game), 3rd for tackles (1.2), 5th for accurate crosses (0.3 per game), 2nd for assists (2) and 5th for shots on target (0.5 per game), so he’s having a good campaign.
Despite almost selling the Portuguese international over the summer, Guardiola can’t be without Silva. He’s effective in multiple roles and has proven more dependable in 2022/23 than Mahrez.
In other news, Pep Guardiola should drop Jack Grealish v Wolves after woeful midweek showing
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