Manchester City’s crisis seems to be deepening as they suffer a series of defeats. The latest blow came in Lisbon, where they were thrashed 4-1 by Sporting CP. This loss adds to their previous defeats against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup (2-1) and Bournemouth in the Premier League (2-1), making it three losses in a row.
This kind of slump hasn’t been seen since April 2018 during Pep Guardiola’s tenure. If City were to lose to Brighton next weekend, it would be an unprecedented event: four consecutive defeats for Guardiola in Manchester. The statistics also reveal that City hadn’t conceded four goals in Europe since October 2016, and their 25-game unbeaten run in the Champions League was abruptly halted.
Despite their current crisis, City still have some positives to hold on to. They are currently second in the Premier League, just two points behind Liverpool. In the Champions League, they sit sixth, with seven points in four games. They have also already won the Community Shield in August.
However, the question remains: why are City in this situation? Injuries have played a significant role, with a staggering 13 injuries since the start of the season. Pep Guardiola himself acknowledged this issue, stating that it had never happened in his nine years at the club. Currently, key players like Grealish, Bobb, Stones, Rodri, and Ruben Dias are out of action. Even players who have returned from injury, like Walker and De Bruyne, are still regaining their rhythm. This has led to a makeshift defense consisting of two 19-year-olds in their recent match against Sporting CP.
Another factor contributing to City’s struggles is the absence of Rodri Hernandez. The Spaniard, who won the Ballon d’Or recently, is out for the entire year. Pep is trying to find a suitable replacement, but temporary solutions like Kovacic and Gündogan have not satisfied the fans. The possibility of making signings in the winter market is being considered.
City’s heavy reliance on Erling Haaland is also evident. Out of the 21 goals they have scored in the Premier League, 11 have come from the Norwegian striker. Injuries to Doku, De Bruyne, and Grealish only increase this dependency.
The limited playing time for Phil Foden has also raised eyebrows among City fans. Despite being one of the best players in English football, Foden has only started in three Premier League games this season. His slow start to the campaign has had an impact on City’s performances.
Adding to the uncertainty surrounding the team is Pep Guardiola’s potential departure. His contract expires in 2025, and there are speculations about this being his last season. This creates instability within the team, especially with the news that director of football Txiki Begiristain will also leave next summer. Portuguese Hugo Viana is set to replace him, but it is no longer possible for Ruben Amorim, who is rumored to be Manchester United’s next coach, to take over from Guardiola.
Despite the challenging situation, Guardiola remains determined and committed to turning things around. He expressed his desire to fight and not give up, embracing the challenge ahead.
City’s upcoming matches against Brighton, Tottenham, and Liverpool will be crucial in determining their fate. With a fourth defeat looming, they need to find a way to regain their winning form and overcome their current crisis.
