Samir Nasri has a new hair-do since he last played for City
A Spaniard, an Argentinian and a Frenchman walked into a football team - well, apart from the Frenchman, who had to get to the back of the queue.
Sounds like a joke, but you suspect that Samir Nasri will not find it too funny in the coming weeks.
David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Nasri are all expected to return to training next week, as Manchester City prepare to host Liverpool in the Premier League.
And while Silva and Aguero can expect a place on the bench, at the very least, as long as their recovery goes well, you have to wonder where Nasri fits into the picture.
It seems very straightforward in Manuel Pellegrini’s maths – he wants two quality players in every position, and Nasri fits quite snugly into that.
But the truth is that City’s attacking players are so flexible that Nasri will return from his latest injury as last choice of the Blues’ eight principle attacking players.
Not so long ago, Nasri would be Pellegrini’s go-to man whenever Silva missed a game.
These days Kevin de Bruyne, Jesus Navas, Raheem Sterling, Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfried Bony could all step in – with the manager re-arranging his team to suit, of course.
Sergio Aguero and David Silva
Presuming Silva and Aguero stay on course for a return against Liverpool, they will have been out for six weeks, and that probably means they will start on the bench.
The team’s run of seven games unbeaten since both men picked up injuries on international duty means there is no need to panic and rush them back into action.
Nasri will be lucky to find a place on the bench in that game, although he keeps proving that you write him off at your peril.
Manuel Pellegrini and Samir Nasri
Pellegrini appeared to be losing patience with the enigmatic former Arsenal star last season, as he spent five games on the bench before picking up an injury at Spurs that ended his season prematurely.
City would have been willing to sell had a decent offer come in – and had Nasri not vowed to fight his way back into the team this season.
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He has had further frustration this season, making just two starts and then picking up a hamstring injury.
Football - Manchester City v Hull City - Barclays Premier League - Etihad Stadium - 7/2/15 Manchester City's Samir Nasri receives medical attention after sustaining an injury while Sergio Aguero looks on Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Jason Cairnduff
City’s front four of choice would most likely be Aguero leading, with Silva, de Bruyne and either Sterling or Navas backing up Kun.
If one of those gets injured, Nasri would currently be behind either Sterling or Navas in the pecking order, while Bony and Iheanacho would also be preferred.
But the stats show Nasri is the most accurate passer in the Premier League, 93 per cent of his attempts reaching their target – and he lit up the win at Everton with a classy goal.
He has the ability – now we will see if he has the grit to win his place back.
A Spaniard, an Argentinian and a Frenchman walked into a football team - well, apart from the Frenchman, who had to get to the back of the queue.
Sounds like a joke, but you suspect that Samir Nasri will not find it too funny in the coming weeks.
David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Nasri are all expected to return to training next week, as Manchester City prepare to host Liverpool in the Premier League.
And while Silva and Aguero can expect a place on the bench, at the very least, as long as their recovery goes well, you have to wonder where Nasri fits into the picture.
It seems very straightforward in Manuel Pellegrini’s maths – he wants two quality players in every position, and Nasri fits quite snugly into that.
But the truth is that City’s attacking players are so flexible that Nasri will return from his latest injury as last choice of the Blues’ eight principle attacking players.
Not so long ago, Nasri would be Pellegrini’s go-to man whenever Silva missed a game.
These days Kevin de Bruyne, Jesus Navas, Raheem Sterling, Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfried Bony could all step in – with the manager re-arranging his team to suit, of course.
Sergio Aguero and David SilvaPresuming Silva and Aguero stay on course for a return against Liverpool, they will have been out for six weeks, and that probably means they will start on the bench.
The team’s run of seven games unbeaten since both men picked up injuries on international duty means there is no need to panic and rush them back into action.
Nasri will be lucky to find a place on the bench in that game, although he keeps proving that you write him off at your peril.
Manuel Pellegrini and Samir NasriPellegrini appeared to be losing patience with the enigmatic former Arsenal star last season, as he spent five games on the bench before picking up an injury at Spurs that ended his season prematurely.
City would have been willing to sell had a decent offer come in – and had Nasri not vowed to fight his way back into the team this season.
More Manchester City news
He has had further frustration this season, making just two starts and then picking up a hamstring injury.
Football - Manchester City v Hull City - Barclays Premier League - Etihad Stadium - 7/2/15 Manchester City's Samir Nasri receives medical attention after sustaining an injury while Sergio Aguero looks on Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Jason Cairnduff City’s front four of choice would most likely be Aguero leading, with Silva, de Bruyne and either Sterling or Navas backing up Kun.
If one of those gets injured, Nasri would currently be behind either Sterling or Navas in the pecking order, while Bony and Iheanacho would also be preferred.
But the stats show Nasri is the most accurate passer in the Premier League, 93 per cent of his attempts reaching their target – and he lit up the win at Everton with a classy goal.
He has the ability – now we will see if he has the grit to win his place back.
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