Pep Guardiola believes City’s attacking threat from the flanks will be crucial to the Blues’ success this season.
The return of Benjamin Mendy to the starting XI has proven fruitful with the Frenchman providing three assists in August, earning a nomination for the Premier League Player of the Month award.
Guardiola spoke of the importance of utilising the wings, particularly against sides who defend in numbers.
“It’s important,” he told press. “Mendy wasn’t there last year and we broke these kind of defences with other options because we try to be a team.
“Kyle Walker can do it, our midfielders can and our attackers can.
“Playing wide is one of the keys. If you are not wide, then everyone is going to be in the space – you’re more open.
“When you go narrow, so will they – it’s spaces. Simple as that.”
The Catalan boss also discussed team news ahead of Saturday’s clash with Newcastle and reflected on Thursday’s Champions League draw, in which the Blues were pitted against Lyon, Hoffenheim and Shakhtar Donetsk in Group F.
Watch part one of his press conference in full in the video above…
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