Analysing the Surprise Selections Pep Guardiola Has Made so Far at Man City

Pep Guardiola is a manager who showed during his time at Barcelona and Bayern Munich that he works in mysterious ways. He takes conventional wisdom and often discards it, crafting systems that flummox opposition managers and finding roles for players most never thought possible.

Javier Mascherano, David Alaba, Javi Martinez and Philipp Lahm were all superb players before working with Guardiola, but they are now more rounded and knowledgeable about the game thanks to his contribution to their careers.

Guardiola altered their position, challenged them and tested their ability in a different area of the pitch. All of them prospered and had success under the Catalan’s guidance.

So far, it’s been a similar story at Manchester City. Five games into his tenure, his methods are clearly having an impact. City look far slicker than they did last season, and he has improved the performance of a number of players who were struggling before his arrival.

Here, we take a look at some of his surprising tactical and positional innovations that have surprised the majority of observers.

ANTHONY DEVLIN/Getty Images

Kolarov moved inside

There can’t be many who felt Aleksandar Kolarov would be welcomed into the Guardiola era, let alone be switched to centre-half.

The Serbian left-back struggled for form last season and saw Gael Clichy surpass him and reaffirm his status as City’s first-choice left-back option.

Kolarov’s days at the club looked numbered, particularly after his horror show away at Southampton—a game that saw him aimlessly jogging back towards his own goal while Sadio Mane sprinted past him and scored the Saints’ second in a 4-2 win. It was a moment that infuriated the fans and looked to signal his departure.

But Kolarov has managed to impress Guardiola. He was pressed into emergency action during pre-season, paired alongside Tosin Adarabioyo at centre-back against Bayern Munich and Fernando against Arsenal.

His passing between the lines impressed, as did his reading of the game. He’s since played there in City’s Premier League opener against Sunderland, leading to huge praise from his manager.

"I think Kolarov had one of the best performances I have seen in a central defender," Guardiola said afterwards. "He won all the long balls, he was quality with passes and he was strong. Kolarov not just today but in the last few games played really well."

It’s unlikely he’ll play regularly at centre-back. John Stones has established himself as Guardiola’s No. 1 defender, and Nicolas Otamendi has been picked alongside him wherever possible.

With Vincent Kompany possibly returning to the fold in the next few weeks, the need for Kolarov at the heart of the defence will be reduced.

But it’s given the player new direction in a career that was flagging. He’s looked more assured this season than at any stage during the last campaign and now has a new string to his bow, capable of moving inside when needed or even helping form a back three should Guardiola decide to go in that direction.

Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

Switching Sterling to the right

“I was curious to see him on the right side. I like to go and attack the byline.” Guardiola’s reasoning for putting Raheem Sterling on the right rather than his usual position on the left was simple, yet the result has been overwhelmingly positive.

Sterling has gone from being wildly out of form and struggling badly with shattered confidence to one of City’s star performers.

It’s early days and no one should get carried away, but the signs are very, very good.

Against St. Johnstone in a behind-closed-doors friendly and then again against Arsenal in Gothenburg, Sweden, Guardiola tried playing Sterling on the right flank. He started going past defenders and creating space, looking sharp and creative again.

That simple switch appeared to do him a world of good, and the flashes of improvements he showed in pre-season have turned into a period of exceptional form.

"

Raheem Sterling - Mudança do jogador. [@SkySportsNewsHQ] pic.twitter.com/Yhr4kLuEZc

— Man City Brazil (@ManCityBrazil) August 29, 2016"

He scored two goals against West Ham United in City’s most recent match, including one of impudent brilliance, and created goals against Sunderland, Stoke City and Steaua Bucharest.

He’s been absolutely superb and deserves praise for turning his form around despite an awful media backlash for his decision to leave Liverpool last year and his poor displays for England.

"

Man of the match, @ManCity's Raheem Sterling
69 touches
39 passes
74 sprints, most in match
1st goals since Mar 6 pic.twitter.com/VT525fLlwp

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) August 28, 2016"

Obviously, there’s more to his improvement than a simple tactical alteration. His confidence has been rebuilt by a manager who has belief in his ability.

Guardiola made a personal phone call to the 21-year-old during the UEFA European Championship, a tournament that saw Sterling hammered by the British press and England supporters, to offer him support before praising him in his first press conference as City manager.

As votes of confidence go, Guardiola’s have been emphatic.

It’s been a superb opening few weeks of Guardiola’s reign, and the improvement of Sterling has been at the heart of it.

Gareth Copley/Getty Images

De Bruyne and Silva given extra freedom

Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva are City’s two most creative players. For some, playing them in the same side and maximising their ability is impossible. Both like to play in the No. 10 role just behind a striker.

How do you ensure both are at their best when one has to move position?

Guardiola has found a way. City have lined up with (roughly) a 4-1-4-1 formation so far this season. De Bruyne and Silva have both played “free eight” positions, given freedom to drop into midfield and knit the play with Fernandinho, the sitting midfielder, or get into the final third and support Sergio Aguero in attack.

Both players are revelling and clearly enjoying their football. As noted by Sky Sports Statto, it's helped City dominate possession in their games so far:

"

Man City's 67% possession is also their average in PL, 6% more than next highest - Southampton, Chelsea, Liverpool pic.twitter.com/T8Iv8v5zqE

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) August 28, 2016"

It’s been particularly good for Silva, who suffered a dip in form last season. He was troubled by ankle pain, which restricted his movement and caused him nearly constant disruption, and his influence appeared to be waning.

He has arguably been the best City player in the opening weeks of the season—good news for anyone who loves to watch creative, instinctive footballers at their best.

Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

Guardiola needs time to shape this squad and transmit his ideas fully, but he’s already had a discernible effect. “Pep knows how to adapt and I’m sure he’ll do so in England,” Andres Iniesta said in an interview with Sid Lowe for the Guardian this week. “He’s also got staff like Mikel Arteta who’ll help that process, who know the league.

“City have signed well and have a very competitive squad.

“I’ve admired David Silva for years: I think he’s exceptional. Players learn day to day, from experience, team-mates and managers. I learnt a lot with Pep; he helped me to improve and he’ll do the same at City.”

It would seem he already is.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and follows the club from a Manchester base. All quotes and information were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.