With an unexciting Manchester City starting XI, the club continues a disastrous run after their shocking 1-2 defeat at the hands of city-rivals Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium last Sunday, December 15. The title contenders have now won only one out of their last 11 matches and lost eight of them.
That is a kind of run that will have any manager under pressure, but Pep Guardiola, who has effectively monopolized the Premier League in the recent past, is immune to it for the ongoing season at least. However, that does not mean that he should not do anything to the reverse the tide. It is quite clear that a few of his top players are not quite up to the mark at the moment.
Youth Needed in Manchester City Starting Rotation
Both Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva, who have been simply brilliant for the Cityzens for the last seven years or so, are enduring a tough season this year. City veterans Bernardo and Foden have scored five goals between them this season with Christmas approaching. It can be mentioned in this context that they scored a very impressive 39 goals between them last season.
Guardiola has tried playing Bernardo on either flank as well as the centre of the pitch as a central midfielder in a 3-2-4-1 formation. However, the incisiveness that could be associated with him in the recent past, has been missing this season.
The same goes for Foden, who has suffered a significant slump in form since the European Championships in 2024 and looks a shadow of his former self. Neither Foden nor Bernardo has been able to break through resolute defences, as most of Manchester City’s opponents have crowded their own penalty box area to frustrate them.
As a result, It is probably high time for youngsters like James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly to enter the Manchester City starting XI. McAtee, who can play in the central midfield or as a winger, scored his first goal in a Manchester City shirt in the UEFA Champions League against Slovan Bratislava last October. He could easily replace either Foden or Bernardo in the upcoming matches for the English champions.
However, he has made only eight appearances, almost all of them as substitutes, this season for the Cityzens. O’Reilly, who is primarily a defensive midfielder, could be used at times to allow Mateo Kovacic to play in an advanced role.
The likes of Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes have also flattered to deceive so far and hence, playing O’Reilly as a defensive midfielder alongside the likes of Ilkay Gundogan or Kovacic might not hurt Manchester City, given their current situation.
Manchester City With a Tough Holiday Season Ahead
The Cityzens have a tough match coming up against Aston Villa next Saturday, December 21. Dropping points in that match will push them further back in the title race. With Liverpool ahead of the Cityzens by nine points with a match in hand, the title might have already gone out of their reach.
Thus, it is time for Guardiola to act and replace his non-performing players with fresher and younger ones. It remains to be seen whether the Manchester City does that in the immediate future.
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