In just 12 months, Manchester City has gone from the best team on the planet to a shadow of their former selves. How did Pep Guardiola’s juggernaut turn into a team that’s losing more often than not? Let’s break it down.
The Goals Dried Up
City used to score for fun and shut teams down at the back. Now? Not so much. Pep himself admitted it: “We haven’t scored the goals we scored before, and we’ve conceded the goals we didn’t concede.” That’s the crux score more, concede less, and win. Simple on paper, right? But on the pitch, it’s been anything but.
The Rodri Effect
Losing Rodri to injury has been massive. He’s the glue in midfield, and without him, City’s system looks fragile. Players are being asked to do things they’re not great at, and it shows. Since his injury, City’s form has nosedived, and the team looks lost.
Is Haaland the Problem?
Yes, Erling Haaland scores goals, but does he actually make City better? The numbers are weird City scored more goals without him in previous seasons. With Haaland, they average fewer goals per game and even concede more. He’s great at what he does, but he’s not a playmaker, and City’s famous passing game has suffered.
Pep Fatigue?
Guardiola is a genius, no doubt. But after years of intense, high-pressure management, has the magic worn off? Some players might be tired of the constant demands. Even Pep himself hinted at this after winning the treble, saying, “There’s nothing else to win; the job is done.”
Transfers Haven’t Clicked
City’s recent signings haven’t hit the mark. Aside from Haaland, no one has truly transformed the team in years. The squad looks stale, and the lack of new ideas on the pitch reflects that.
What’s Next?
City needs a reset fresh energy, a tactical tweak, or just a spark to reignite the fire. Pep’s teams don’t stay down for long, but right now, they look more like zombies than champions.
Can they turn it around? Don’t count them out just yet. After all, this is still Manchester City.
