The end of inverted full backs? Why Rayan Ait-Nouri joining Manchester City could signal end of Pep Guardiola’s philosophy

Dubai: Pep Guardiola isn’t messing around. After Manchester City’s first trophyless season since 2016/17, the Catalan mastermind is orchestrating a rebuild at the club, which began in the January transfer window under new sporting director Hugo Viana. They secured Egyptian Omar Marmoush, Spaniard Nico Gonzalez, Uzbek defender Khusanov, and Brazilian youngster Vitor Reis.

Now Rayan Ait-Nouri’s £31 million arrival from Wolves represents an intent from Pep as he returns to using a natural full-back in the left-back position after the experimentation of deploying centre-backs in that role. They’re finally acquiring a genuine left-back since Mendy. It’s been four years since he last kicked a ball for City.

The 24-year-old becomes the fourth Algerian to represent Manchester City in the Premier League after Djamel Belmadi, Ali Benarbia, and Riyad Mahrez. The former two featured for City before the arrival of the Abu Dhabi group to Manchester, while Mahrez enjoyed a glorious trophy-laden career at the Etihad, playing a pivotal role in the treble-winning campaign under Guardiola. Riyad is now enjoying his football in Saudi Arabia. The new arrival will be hoping to replicate what his countryman achieved at City but from the left flank with a completely different role to fulfil.

The Algerian has completed a dream move. The player is about to hit his peak; he brings five years of Premier League experience from Molineux. More crucially, he’s a natural left-back who understands the attacking demands of modern football. He can invert and has even operated as a No 10 during the Gary O’Neil era at Wolves.

Pep will adore that flexibility. He’s an exceptional dribbler with an ability to score from that left flank, and his decision-making has been exemplary. City desperately need players with superior decision-making, especially following KDB’s departure.

The former Wolves star played a vital role in their Premier League survival during the recently concluded campaign. Even when their star attacker Cunha was sidelined, the versatile defender delivered from the wing-back position. He is brilliant in attack, but the key question persists: can he defend effectively in a 4-at-the-back formation? Throughout his career, he has excelled more as a wing-back in a five-man defensive system in the Premier League. He has operated as a traditional left-back too, but we’ve witnessed him struggle with one-on-one defending when deployed there.

Pep’s system will control possession, and during the build-up phase, they have used a three-man defence — we have to wait and see whether he can enjoy the attacking freedom he experienced at Wolves. The Spanish tactician will undoubtedly have a strategy to maximise his potential. Having said that, this shift back to conventional full-backs signals intent and represents evolving dynamics in football once again, where marauding full-backs are becoming crucial again.

Is Guardiola abandoning inverted full-backs? Is that the plan? Pep’s squad struggled off the ball last season. He requires more dynamism in the team. The Algerian possesses energy and flair that will only flourish under Pep’s guidance.

The timing of this signing couldn’t be more perfect. We know Pep might take his time to integrate new signings, but with the Fifa Club World Cup commencing this week, the new signing might get a chance to be involved in the group stages where they will face Moroccan club Wydad AC, UAE’s Al Ain and Italian giants Juventus. Winning this competition would deliver instant redemption after last season’s disappointments.

City remain extremely active in the transfer market. Following January’s spending spree on four players, they’re reportedly pursuing AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders and Lyon’s Rayan Cherki alongside their latest acquisition. Manchester City are conducting serious business to restore their dominance. Pep was wounded by last season’s failures and is determined to redeem himself and return City to winning major silverware.

— From code to kick-off: Gulf News’ Mohammed Shamsheer spends his weekdays in DevOps and weekends watching football — a proud Chelsea supporter through and through.