As Manchester City look to put the off-day against Tottenham behind them and look ahead to the next fixture at Everton, one major decision must be addressed by Pep Guardiola this week.
City's defeat to Spurs appears to have given the rest of the Premier League plenty of encouragement that there will be a different name on the trophy this season, just as most had given up on hopes of a competitive title race.
As City return to training ahead of the Everton trip, they must ensure that they bounce back and reaffirm their position as title favourites.
It won't be a straightforward task, with Everton something of an unpredictable opponent following Frank Lampard's appointment — and Goodison Park is never the easiest of venues for Guardiola.
A resolute defensive display will be needed after Harry Kane and Heung-min Son drew them all over the Etihad pitch on Saturday, so that might mean changes are required at the back.
Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte have been Guardiola's most-used centre-back pairing this season by some distance this season. They have started 21 of City's 37 games in all competitions.
However, Tottenham's ploy of letting Kane come deep and having Son run into the vacant space in behind him worked time and again for Spurs against City, just as it has done in previous meetings between the sides.
For the first time in a long time, Dias and Laporte looked far from the composed, world-class defenders they are. Meanwhile, John Stones was sat on the bench with a 100 per cent record of wins and clean sheets when starting in the Premier League this season.
It should be said that City have three brilliant centre-backs, all in good form this season. Unless Guardiola plays three at the back, or uses one out of position, one will always have to be left out. Then there's Nathan Ake who is a fine Premier League option too.
After two seasons of giving Dias a regular partner, Guardiola has opted to rotate who plays next to him this season to try and keep everyone happy. In general, it's worked, and one bad game for him and Laporte shouldn't provoke any rash decisions.
Overall this season, Dias and Laporte have been the go-to partnership, especially in the league. It gives Guardiola a right-footer and a left-footer at the back, with Dias' pace and positional awareness complemented by Laporte's ability on the ball and forward passing. Of those 21 games started together, City have kept 10 clean sheets at a rate of 56 per cent of games, losing just three times and winning 16.
They have a win percentage of 76 per cent when playing together, and have even chipped in with four goals or assists between them. There should be few arguments about their partnership.
Interestingly, the next most-used pairing is Dias and Ake, helped by their availability as the only two fit centre-backs at the beginning of the season. When Ake plays, it is usually for rotation purposes or in a cup competition, so their win rate drops to 42 per cent when playing together.
Dias and Stones have only played together twice, despite being first choice last season, with two wins from two and one clean sheet. Stones and Laporte have partnered up four times, with four wins and two clean sheets. Interestingly, City have two wins from two when Stones has come in at right-back alongside Laporte and Dias, with the Blues scoring 12 and conceding none in those games.
Stones and Ake have three starts alongside each other, all away from the Premier League, with one win, one draw, and one defeat.
Individually, Ake has a win rate of 61 per cent, Dias has 73 per cent, Laporte has 80 per cent, and Stones has an impressive 83 per cent.
So while Dias and Laporte have started significantly more games together, if Guardiola wants a partnership that will offer slightly more solidity and confidence, Stones may have to come back in at Everton.
With the England man yet to concede a goal in the Premier League and boasting a 100 per cent win rate when starting in the competition — plus the fact that his best partnership has been with Laporte this season — it may be Dias in the frame to drop to the bench.
It would be a bold call to drop the second captain in the side, but Guardiola knows the most important thing on Saturday is three points. Stones may be the key to that against his former club.
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