Marc Guehi’s Man Metropolis debut assessed in The Debrief as ex-Crystal Palace defender exhibits what Liverpool missed

Welcome to The Debrief, a Sky Sports activities column through which Adam Bate makes use of a mix of knowledge and opinion to mirror on a number of the key tales from the newest Premier League matches. This week:

• Guehi’s passing highlights fast influence at Metropolis
• Summerville’s touches within the field for West Ham
• Maatsen’s dynamism a key issue for Aston Villa

Marc Guehi is a top quality Premier League participant who has already proven that he can match seamlessly into Manchester Metropolis’s facet. His signing is an enormous miss for Liverpool and there may be nonetheless time for his arrival on the Etihad Stadium to influence the Premier League title race.

Guehi virtually scored minutes into his Metropolis debut and he would have earned a formidable help too had Antoine Semenyo discovered the end. However the £20m signing from Crystal Palace will accept a clear sheet on his debut within the 2-0 win over Wolves.

Pep Guardiola solely wanted two coaching classes to see up shut why Guehi appears to be like to be one of many discount buys of the season. “How he moves, how he talks, how he sees what happens surrounding him, reading the situations,” mentioned Guardiola. “Really good.”

Because the Metropolis supervisor instructed reporters in that press convention after the sport on Saturday, “it is not necessary to tell about Marc and who he is” as a result of there is no such thing as a nice shock that he has been in a position to make such a robust begin in a Metropolis shirt. This was anticipated.

“You had a feeling from day one. I remember Ruben [Dias] had incredible focus in every action and winning duels. With the ball he had incredible composure.” Guardiola added: “He is a guy you can rely on.” Even so, becoming a member of a staff like Metropolis is an adjustment.

Guardiola made the purpose that he had hardly labored with him but however Guehi himself instructed Sky Sports activities that he had already observed the distinction in “attention to detail” at Metropolis. “It has gone up a level.” And the calls for on him in possession are better than earlier than.

Guehi had 115 touches of the ball towards Wolves. He accomplished 98 passes, which isn’t solely 20 greater than in any Premier League recreation for Crystal Palace this season, however it was greater than another participant within the competitors over the course of the weekend.

Extra focus is required on the ball and, in a way, extra focus off the ball too. There have been fewer defensive actions to make however with Metropolis usually defending excessive, he proved he may make that tactical adjustment whereas taking part in in a distinct formation.

“It is a good start but there is a lot of learning to do,” he mentioned.

Whereas the Metropolis followers have been leaving the stadium having been shortly gained over by the England worldwide defender, Liverpool have been producing one other efficiency away to Bournemouth that means their supporters will already be regretting lacking out.

With Ibrahima Konate and Giovanni Leoni out injured, Joe Gomez went off with an issue of his personal early within the recreation, whereas Virgil van Dijk was at fault for the primary objective and may need carried out higher for the opposite two. Wataru Endo was his associate on the finish.

Liverpool spent huge sums in the summertime and not using a clear plan of how they may match into the identical staff. Maybe Konate had carried out sufficient final season to make that very same argument towards investing in Guehi however he would have future-proofed their defence.

Guehi’s choice for taking part in on the left would have made him a pure long-term substitute for Van Dijk. As a substitute, it’s Metropolis who’ve acquired a peak-age centre-back – Guehi is 25 – who is usually a massive a part of their future and assist them win right here and now.

When it was put to Guardiola that this contrasts with the strategy within the earlier winter window, throughout which Metropolis introduced in Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis, he agreed that the strikes made by his staff this time round represented one thing else.

Talking about Guehi and Semenyo, Guardiola mentioned: “They have not come for six months. They have come for many years so the transfer is a really good price and they are the perfect age, 25, 26, so an incredible signing for Manchester City for many years.”

As for this 12 months, Guehi is obvious in regards to the goal. “Chasing Arsenal and trying to get that title,” he instructed Sky Sports activities. “Every training session and every bit of recovery is geared towards winning.” Guehi’s signing will assist with that. And hinder all of Metropolis’s rivals.

Summerville shines for West Ham

West Ham have spent this window prioritising a reshaping of their ahead line, bringing in two new attacking choices, so there was a sure irony that it was a strong header from the diminutive Crysencio Summerville that sparked their 3-1 win over Sunderland.

It was a vital win for Nuno Espirito Santo’s facet, who end the weekend nonetheless 5 factors from Premier League security however with renewed hope, nonetheless. Summerville may have a key function to play together with his tempo. His transformation has been vital.

The winger had his critics among the many West Ham assist however having extra motion round him has modified the image. Summerville is discovering more room and when he can get that within the ultimate third of the pitch then he has the standard to make an influence.

Summerville had 9 touches within the opposition penalty field towards Sunderland. That’s the most that he has had in any Premier League recreation this season. If Nuno can discover a approach to maintain getting the ball to Summerville in these areas, extra wins will comply with.

Maatsen’s dynamism key for Villa

One other participant who took a short time to persuade his personal supporters was Ian Maatsen, introduced in by Aston Villa for a big sum from Borussia Dortmund final season. Lucas Digne retained his spot at left-back for some time however it’s Maatsen’s now.

His dynamism was a function of Villa’s 2-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday. Unai Emery has endured some difficulties dealing with the physicality of Eddie Howe’s facet up to now however Villa greater than matched it at St James’ Park – and the statistics show it.

Not solely did Morgan Rogers cowl extra floor than another participant over the Premier League weekend however two of the three males within the competitors to make 28 sprints have been Villa gamers. Ollie Watkins, scorer of the second objective, was one. Maatsen was the opposite.

The 23-year-old Dutchman even shifted as much as play as a left-winger late on after Digne was launched – and he’s ok going ahead to do it. However it’s the truth that he has improved defensively that has earned Emery’s belief. He’s having a high quality season.