Pep Guardiola says that Manchester City are perfectly comfortable playing without a striker — but quickly made it plain that he still wants one.
The Blues have been in supreme form this season despite missing out on the signing of Harry Kane in the summer, and failing to replace the departing Sergio Aguero.
In fact, they have been so good, and their various ways of playing with a false nine have so bamboozled opposing defences, that some believe they are a better team without having that focal point up top.
Having a striker like Kane or Aguero gives the opposition centre backs someone to mark, and to track — but trying to work out which one of three or four players will move into space, and whether they will drop deep or run in behind
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