Where Do Manchester City Go Next?
For the second season going, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are in a rough spot, having their worst start to a campaign since 2004. A side that were once unbeatable, Centurions, and domestic quadruple winners, have looked well below the heavy standards they’ve set for the league, and for themselves.
While Spurs remain City’s kryptonite, the Brighton loss stings more, especially considering it was set in motion by a James Milner equalizer. The former City and Liverpool midfielder converted a penalty after a second-half Matheus Nunes handball. “We forgot to pass the ball, to play. Just long balls. With that we are not good enough. It is what it is,” Guardiola said after the game.
With a derby against rivals United looming after the international break, the issues plaguing the club are multifold: recruitment, identity and squad depth. This window alone has seen the departures of former captains Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gündoğan, as well as Manuel Akanji and Ederson, along with the loans of Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish. The Kevin De Bruyne-sized hole in midfield is hard to plug, especially in chance creation and set piece output. The Belgian maestro registered 72 goals and 119 assists during his spell at the club.
City are in need of a creator, with that burden now falling to Phil Foden, Omar Marmoush and Bernardo Silva, given the recent departures and injuries. James Mcatee, who had a great run at the close of last season, left for Forest in search of more game time. Granted, with the attacking depth the club possesses, his minutes and development might’ve been hindered, though now is a different proposition.
A player of Ederson’s caliber is hard to replace, nigh impossible even. Eight glorious years at the club, seven assists and a vital save that secured the club’s first Champions League victory. Criticized at times for his decision-making or shot-stopping, the Brazilian kept 166 clean sheets while making 367 appearances for the club, racking up 18 major titles.
While Trafford was handed the coveted number 1, he faces competition from the newly arrived Gigio Donnarumma, as well as Stefan Ortega. Stylistically, Trafford is a blend of Joe Hart and Ederson, but he’s still raw, rather than a finished product. Donnarumma’s signing feels somewhat bizarre, despite the Italian being arguably one of the best goalkeepers about, particularly as he’s more a traditional shot-stopper than a distributor like Ederson.
Three top quality keepers feels excessive, even if they offer different qualities. While the trio may rotate, along with an outside shout for Marcus Bettinelli in cup competitions, a move away for either Trafford or Ortega may be likely in the winter. Both Kyle Walker and João Cancelo, the most experienced right backs at the club in recent years, have left, with Yan Couto being shipped to Dortmund and Issa Kaboré being unproven at the highest level. The Burkinabé fullback is currently on loan at Championship side Wrexham, having spent the previous campaign at Luton Town.
A move for Tino Livramento, rumored to be highly rated by City, never materialized, leaving only Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis as right back options — and maybe, in a pinch, Abdukodir Khusanov. For a team that’s competing on all fronts, the lack of a natural right back is concerning, particularly given how last season went.
Then there’s the question of identity, with some arguing City have lost their aura. The levels the team was playing at were unsustainable: the physicality, the pace, and certainly, the unrelenting press. Tired legs were to be expected, but when you go from dominating like City did to struggling like they are, there’s cause for concern.
That problem is exacerbated by the imbalance in outgoings and incomings. Established senior leaders have left, giving way to a younger group. There’s pragmatism in building for the future, but there are questions in the present. Though the current crop of players doesn’t lack leaders — Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Erling Haaland and Ruben Dias, to name a few — City have lost monumental figures through the departures this summer and indeed, in recent years.
From the players that brought home the title in that historic 17/18 campaign, only John Stones remains at the club. While the echoes of last season are still being felt, the turnover hasn’t been limited to players either. Sporting’s Hugo Viana arrived this summer, replacing Txiki Begiristain as the club’s director of football.
After struggling to get a replacement for Walker, Viana has been the subject of some criticism from the club’s fanbase. Team dynamics aside, there’s another thorn in Pep’s side: injuries. New signing Rayan Cherki is out and expected to be sidelined for two months.
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Abdukadir Khusanov was forced off against Brighton with a calf injury and remains doubtful for the derby. John Stones, meanwhile, left the England camp early Friday due to a muscle problem. Gvardiol is yet to make an appearance this term due to fitness issues. Rotating with Ait-Nouri, Nico O’Reilly may yet again be deployed in an unfamiliar role, like the days of Fabian Delph and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
For nearly all of last season, Rodri’s absence was felt, with the team struggling to control the midfield and progress in the final third. Though the acquisition of Nico Gonzalez was meant to fill that void, the former Barcelona and Porto midfielder fell down the pecking order with Bernardo and Gündoğan getting more minutes. So far this season, Rodri hasn’t quite looked to be at his best, but there is a greater danger in overexerting the Spanish international as he looks to find his form.
For a City side in transition, the period after the break is critical, with a run of games that includes Napoli, Arsenal, Dortmund and Liverpool. “I like many things we are doing but we are not able to win games. After we come back we will know the real squad we have. We are going to try to compete,” Guardiola said.
By: Manan Bhavnani / @mananbhavnani
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Martin Rickett – PA Images