Source: Team_Talk
Man City - Pick your starting XI
TEAMtalk's Simon Wilkes and James Marshment pick their first-choice starting XIs for Manchester City - and want you the readers to do the same.[LNB] Big-spending City have splashed out millions strengthening their squad in the summer transfer window, and manager Roberto Mancini now has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal.[LNB]With so many world-class players to choose from, it's hard to predict what Mancini believes is his first-choice team - but we thought we'd give it a go and give you lot the chance to select your number one line-up.[LNB]One thing is for sure, Mancini needs to get whatever team he selects clicking into gear as soon as possible as City's silverware-hungry owners will be expecting an assault on the Premier League title this season, as well as success in the cup competitions.[LNB]Follow the style of our writers, giving a starting XI and subs.[LNB]Simon Wilkes' Man City XI (4-4-2): Hart; Richards, K Toure, Kompany, Kolarov; Milner, Y Toure, Barry, Silva; Tevez, Balotelli.[LNB]Subs: Given, Zabaleta, Boateng, de Jong, A Johnson, Wright-Phillips, Adebayor.[LNB]Synopsis: Joe Hart gets the nod in goal, not just for his starring role at White Hart Lane but because I want him to be England's number one for years to come. I'd like to see Micah Richards given a regular run at right-back, while Vincent Kompany is my preferred centre-back partner for Kolo Toure, with Jerome Boateng the next in line in the pecking order. Aleksandar Kolarov is a brilliant left-back so ousts Wayne Bridge and links up on the left flank with David Silva, with James Milner providing width and top-class delivery from the right wing.[LNB]I reckon Yaya Toure and Gareth Barry would give City a balanced central midfield as I like a right-foot, left-foot combination in there, and up front I'd pair the prolific and hard-working Carlos Tevez with the maverick Mario Balotelli, whose blistering pace is going to give Premier League defenders nightmares.[LNB]James Marshment's Man City XI (4-4-2): Hart; Zabaleta, K Toure, Kompany, Boateng; Milner, de Jong, Y Toure, Silva; Tevez, Adebayor.[LNB]Subs: Given, Richards, Kolarov, Barry, Johnson, Balotelli, Robinho.[LNB]Synopsis: It illustrates City's strength in depth that I can't find room, even on the bench, for the likes of Joleon Lescott, Wayne Bridge, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Roque Santa Cruz (all top Premier League performers on their day). I had a straight choice between Gareth Barry and Nigel de Jong as Yaya Toure's central midfield partner and I've gone for the Dutchman as I feel he's slightly more mobile.[LNB]The vastly-underrated Vincent Kompany nudges his way into central defence alongside Kolo Toure, which means Jerome Boateng starts at left-back with Aleksandar Kolarov on the bench. Adam Johnson is unlucky not to get the nod on the left, while I feel Emmanuel Adebayor offers a more obvious threat than new boy Mario Balotelli, who may take time to find his feet at Eastlands and whose better work may be done when coming off the bench.[LNB]Over to you: Now it's your turn, add your starting XIs and comments in the field below. You don't have to be a Man City fan, as we want opinions from all sets of supporters.
