Manchester City dominated English football this season. Not only did they seal their
second consecutive Premier League title, but they made it a treble by adding both FA Cup
and League Cup. Still, Pep Guardiola isn’t entirely satisfied, and he has already talked
of his team starting ‘from zero’ next term. New players are expected to arrive in
the summer, one of which could be Joao Felix. The 19-year-old has enjoyed a breakout campaign
with Benfica, scoring 20 goals in all competitions, and he may be the solution to a growing midfield
dilemma. Guardiola lined his side up in a fairly unsurprising
4-3-3 shape last season. Within this system, the number eights – usually David Silva
and one of Kevin De Bruyne or Bernardo Silva – continued to take on non-traditional roles,
operating in areas more advanced than those customarily associated with their position.
Often, they took up positions in the channels between defenders and/or between defensive
lines. From here, they could cause the opposition a number of problems.
They could draw out opposition centre-backs and create openings for through balls in the
channel for the Manchester City wingers to run onto with inwards runs from extremely
wide starting positions. They could find separation between the opposition’s defence and midfield
to offer a penetrative passing option. They could make forward runs in the channel to
get on the end of passes in from their wider teammates behind the opponent’s back line.
On top of all that, they could react quickly in defensive transition to help win the ball
back instantly after losing it in the opposition half. Alternately, they could tactical foul
and stop the opposition’s counter-attack at source.
The exceptional talent of Manchester City’s number eights, coupled with Guardiola’s
positional play approach, wreaked havoc for a number of opponents on course to the title.
However, there is a need for new blood in this area. Ilkay Gundogan has grown into the
number six role as an alternative to Fernandinho; De Bruyne has struggled with injury of late;
Phil Foden lacks experience; and David Silva – who turns 34 next season – cannot be
seen as a long-term option. With this in mind, Joao Felix might be the
sort of young creator Guardiola needs. But just what would Manchester City be getting
should they sign the teenager? Felix is seen by some as Portuguese football’s
heir to Cristiano Ronaldo, though the more suitable comparison – positionally and stylistically
– is to iconic former Fiorentina and AC Milan attacking midfielder Rui Costa.
The youngster has spent much of his debut season at Benfica acting as a second striker
with license to roam laterally and vertically within manager Bruno Lage’s 4-4-2 system.
In this role he has demonstrated good positional awareness, moving well on the blind side of
opposition midfield lines to create passing lanes. He has also consistently gotten between
defenders, pinning multiple players at once with his positioning and creating space elsewhere
for teammates in the process. Once on the ball in the final third, Felix
is excellent at identifying and executing penetrative passes. With a combination of
imagination and sound technique with either foot he is able to break defensive lines and
set up colleagues for scoring chances. This explains why only two players in Liga NOS
averaged more through balls than he did this season, and why only seven obtained more goal
assists. Felix doesn’t stop when the opposition have
possession. He is willing to apply pressure and is intelligent in his closing down, thinking
not only of the opponent on the ball but the potential passing options that must be blocked
off. He doesn’t act alone, communicating with teammates when pressing to ensure cohesion,
and he angles his runs well to form cover shadows on opponents behind him.
These qualities would be appreciated and utilised by Guardiola were Felix to move to Manchester
City, though the player would need to improve in certain areas in order to thrive within
the Premier League champions’ setup. The intensity of his pressing, particularly in
transition, would need to increase. This may come with time as he develops physically,
something that would also help him become tougher to knock off the ball. Fortunately,
given he is five years younger than Bernardo Silva, eight years younger than De Bruyne,
and 14 years younger than David Silva, time is something he would have plenty of.
Felix is a highly versatile player, which again is something Guardiola admires – if
not needs – in his players. The Portuguese can play behind a lone striker, out wide or
in a slightly deeper midfield area, though the number eight role within Manchester City’s
setup would be a unique one to adjust to. He is, however, very similar to the two Silvas
and De Bruyne in that they all started their careers as attacking midfielders or wingers.
And he, just like the aforementioned trio, possesses the technical and tactical qualities
to succeed as a nominal number eight under Guardiola.
The 19-year-old is intelligent when it comes to positioning himself to enhance the attack,
while he also has the control and composure to receive in congested areas of the pitch.
He has an eye for a killer pass and, as is shown by his goal record, he can finish off
chances too. Additionally, his willingness to engage in pressing is a positive sign for
someone in the formative stages of their development as a top-level player.
With key players suffering from injury and the ageing process, Manchester City need long-term
solutions in midfield. Joao Felix could be just what they are looking for.