Manchester City have the full set: 3 top Premier League dribblers now under the Etihad roof

If there's one thing that feels totally at odds with a black-and-white, by the book, clinical team that operates on pure robotics rather than individual flair and creativity, it's players known for their dribbling. So, with Doku, Cherki, and Semenyo now all under the same roof – not to mention Illiman Ndaiye, another prolific dribbler on the pitch – is it finally time to retire the idea that Manchester City has computerised and mechanised its players into some sort of rigid formula that (often) trumps the more inventive, resourceful teams in the league? That isn't a view I agreed with, but it was prevalent during Pep Guardiola's decade as Manchester City manager.

Perhaps, although there will always be those who wrongly insist that Pep Guardiola's impressive record stems from one thing and one thing only: a decidedly unhuman, unbeautiful approach to the beautiful game that the rest of the footballing world wouldn't want anything to do with, even if it did produce six premier league titles in the space of one highly competitive decade. Not a view I agree with after watching some of the most breathtaking football seen in English football during Guardiola's decade kn charge of Manchester City. Still betting in the UK has long-since centred around the idea that Manchester City are here to plant balls in the net. Under Pep Guardiola, City did it while focusing on controlling matches which formed the backbone of the treble success during the 2022-23 season and much of their success under Guardiola.

There are similarities between Pep Guardiola's philosophy and that of Enzo Maresca. The start to the 2026-27 season has demonstrated some striking resemblances. Particularly when it comes to maintaining possession of the ball and maintaining relatively fixed positions on the pitch in a 3-2-2-3 shape of sorts with a full-back pushing into midfield, namely Josko Gvardiol, to provide attacking support.

Then again, among Manchester City's highest scorers were also the league's best dribblers. Last season, Doku and Cherki scored a respectable 9 goals between themselves in the Premier League. Rayan Cherki assisted the most of any Manchester City player in the Premier League, with 12. Doku ranked second for successful dribbles per 90 in the Premier League last season , and Cherki 9th, with 56.8% and 48.1% respectively. The choice to add Semenyo and then Ndaiye to the ranks – two players who are prolific at moving the ball across the pitch – seems to shed light on a preference for maintaining strength in transitional football, and reserving that ability to break through on dangerous counterattacks.

With Liverpool now practicing a higher press under Iraola, Manchester City having so many strong dribblers dangerous on the bounce could prove pivotal in the title race (If one including Manchester City eventuates after this week's events ). It may also be the only way to break down Arsenal's ever-strong defense.

This is something that Guardiola himself predicted: a growing emphasis on transitional styles over purely positional play. Looking at the evidence over the past few years' worth of signings, it would seem that the writing has been on the wall all along: diversify the philosophy, maintain rigid positional play and let the opponents start to forget that, behind it all, you have a dangerous penchant for sudden, intense attacks seemingly out of the blue.

Iliman Ndaiye's signing for Manchestwr City at the end of the summer transfer window signals exciting times ahead for The Citizens. Provided they can strike that ideal balance between control and creativity. It may just be enough for another winning season, even after the surprising loss of their long-time leader.