Manchester City’s bid to defend their Premier League title is unraveling, with Pep Guardiola’s team enduring a sharp decline after a promising start to the season. Fourteen games unbeaten have been followed by seven without a win, exposing deep-rooted issues stemming from questionable recruitment decisions and squad management.
City’s struggles have been exacerbated by the absence of Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder Rodri, sidelined with a serious knee injury. His absence has laid bare a glaring lack of depth in key areas. Ilkay Gundogan, now 34, has been pressed into service as a defensive midfielder despite being more suited to a playmaking role. His limitations were evident in City’s 4-0 humbling by Tottenham, where he was outpaced by younger, more dynamic opponents.
Ageing Core and Unbalanced Squad
City’s ageing squad has become a significant concern. Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Gundogan, all pivotal to Guardiola’s system, are now in their 30s. Similarly, Kyle Walker, whose game relies heavily on pace, is showing signs of decline. The squad lacks players in their mid-to-late twenties, with only Rodri, Ruben Dias, and Matheus Nunes fitting that ideal profile.
This imbalance has led to a reliance on younger, less experienced players like Rico Lewis, 20, who is still developing the skills required to thrive in City’s demanding system.
Recruitment Missteps
Guardiola’s transfer dealings have also come under scrutiny. The decision to sell Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid has left City without a backup striker for Erling Haaland. Meanwhile, the £53 million signing of Matheus Nunes has raised eyebrows, as the midfielder has struggled to secure a central role and has even been deployed out wide.
City’s focus on wide players has yielded mixed results. Jack Grealish, signed for £100 million, has scored just twice in three and a half seasons, while recent arrivals like Jeremy Doku and Savinho have yet to make a significant impact. The contrast with former wingers Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling, who consistently delivered goals, is stark.
Defensive Fragility and Counter-Attacks
Defensive vulnerabilities have compounded City’s woes. The absence of a true defensive midfielder has left them exposed to counter-attacks, with opponents increasingly finding success on the break. This weakness undermines Guardiola’s possession-based philosophy, where control is paramount.
A Decline Long in the Making
City’s current plight reflects years of inadequate planning. While Guardiola has overseen periods of dominance, the failure to refresh the squad has allowed cracks to form. For all their spending power, City have struggled to address key areas, leaving them reliant on ageing stars and untested youngsters.
As the champions sit adrift of the title race, Guardiola faces a daunting task. Correcting these flaws will require time and careful squad reconstruction—factors that might already make this season’s defence an impossible task.
Next match: Manchester City vs Brighton, Saturday, 5:30 PM BST.
