The puzzle is starting to take shape
Enzo Maresca's first Premier League starting XI raised a few eyebrows, and not just because the season opened with a last-gasp win over Bournemouth. The boldest call was Marc Guehi in midfield, a role he filled magnificently, but the arrival of Ayyoub Bouaddi changes the picture.
With Bouaddi in the building, the England man surely returns to the centre of defence. Ruben Dias, the captain, is not going anywhere, so the question becomes who partners him. For my money, the best pairing is Guehi and Josko Gvardiol, with O'Reilly bombing forward from left-back.
Right-back: a straight shootout
On the other flank, it is a straight choice between Matheus Nunes and Abdukodir Khusanov. Nunes offers control, but Khusanov gets my vote. He has the pace and aggression to handle the Premier League's quickest wide men.
Midfield: a new-look double pivot
The midfield has been stripped back. Bernardo Silva and Rodri have left, Tijjani Reijnders has moved on, and Nico Gonzalez looks likely to follow them out the door. That leaves Mateo Kovacic as an option, but going forward the likely pairing is Bouaddi alongside fellow new boy Elliot Anderson. It is a youthful, energetic base, and one that should give the back four some protection.
Attacking options
Further forward, the choices are more straightforward. Jeremy Doku on the left and Antoine Semenyo on the right are my picks, even though Phil Foden started on the right in the opener. The number 10 role, though, has to go to Rayan Cherki.
Cherki came off the bench against Bournemouth and grabbed two assists to win the game. On that evidence, he has to start.
Only two players pick themselves every week when fit: Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal and Erling Haaland up front. Everyone else is fighting for a place, but the bones of a strong side are there.