Man City may only have two free spots in their best starting XI for title run-in and FA Cup final

The Manchester City starting XI that beat Wolves on Saturday was arguably the strongest they could field on the day - but was it the strongest when everyone is fit?

The front line was familiar. Erling Haaland was back in attack and only scored four goals, Kevin De Bruyne was behind him and Phil Foden was out wide, tasked with coming inside wherever possible. On the opposite flank, Bernardo Silva held the right flank supported by Kyle Walker pushing up from the back.

Rodri is undroppable and undefeated in 70 City games and on this occasion it was Mateo Kovacic asked to step into midfield alongside the Spaniard.

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Kovacic is probably the player in that XI most likely to drop out and his performance against Wolves was mixed with moments of promise and a few occasions where possession was conceded to the frustration of Pep Guardiola. Kovacic offers control in the middle and City eventually wrestled that from Wolves who had started well.

If Guardiola was to shuffle his attack, he could consider moving Bernardo back into a number eight role at the expense of Kovacic and returning Jack Grealish to the left wing and shifting Foden over to the right. There is also an argument for Jeremy Doku to come in - although he is still not ready to be considered as part of a first choice XI - and Julian Alvarez has shown his qualities at number 10.

In all those scenarios Kovacic would be the player to drop out, with Haaland, De Bruyne, Foden, Bernardo and Rodri guarantees to start the title-defining games and FA Cup final if fit.

Moving backwards and the