PEP may already beer own Gabriel & Saliba in Man City

Manchester City They dominated Premier league At the best part of the decade, securing six titles in the last ten seasons, including phenomenal four consecutive titles, from 2020-2024.

One area that the citizens fought this season, however, is in the defense department, receiving 40 goals already in their 29 games played, which is the same number of goals accepted as rival Manchester United, which is sitting in the League.

Rodrija that was injured was a huge factor in this, losing protection in front of the defense line, but the fall of Kyle Walker mixed with injuries like John Stones, and Nathan Ake left City light on the back on the points of this campaign.

Meanwhile, last season’s runners – Arsenal – has received the least goals in the Premier League this season, after they have also acknowledged at least in the last term of the league, showing their defensive quality in the last few years.

Arsenal’s pairing in the central part

Gunneri had the best defense record in the Premier League in the 2023/24 campaign, receiving only 29 goals in their 38 games played, On average 8.5 shots recognized by match (2. In the division) and ends as league runners.

So far, Arsenal has been acknowledged 24 times in 29 games this season, which again made them the most demanding defensive side in the league.

A large part of this comes down to their solid base in defense, with William Salib and Gabriel, French international performance of 27 appearances In the league this season, while the Brazilian internationary is also performed 27 appearances in the league.

Comparing the basic metrics of the two veterans of this term, you can see how they are well balanced, Gabriel offers more air skills and features that deal with boxes to make blocks, while Saliba has a better pace of recovery to create struggles and be progressive through wearing.

Manchester City spent good money in January transfer, and PEP could now have its own response to Saliba and Gabriel’s partnership, with its new duet of £ 63.4 million.

Manchester City’s own Gabriel & Saliba

In the transfer window in January 2025, Manchester City spent £ 33.8 million On the Starlet of the lenses, Abdukodir Khusanov, while also pays around £ 29.6 million for Palmeiras Defender, Vitor Reis.

The first is 21 years old and the second is 19 years old, gives City a new defense foundation that could last a decade.

Like Gabriel and Saliba, Reis and Khusanov, they have traits in order to balance themselves, with Khusan’s more aggressive, having a much higher speed of recovery and therefore more participated in duels.

Indeed, the former man has won 64% of his Premier League air duels so far, while average he recovered the balls per game on average, According to Sofascore.

While Reis provides more air skills and calm on the ball, helping Manchester City in their approach based on possession, with South American starlet ranking in the top 15% His peers to end the passage, over the last 365 days, according to FBREF.

Khusanov has already received a faster platform to the side of Guardiola, Eight appearances for the club and to achieve one goal. His glittering speed and perseverance for involvement in the duels earned a 21-year-old high praise from Julien Laurens, marking a young defender as “outstanding‘

Reis only has Made two appearances For the first team since his arrival, but because of the teenager who came from the Brazilian league, Guardiola is likely to seek to integrate Reis in a slower, more methodical way, with the aim of forming his own Gabriel and Saliba in the years to come.