Manchester City lost 1-2 to AFC Bournemouth in a Premier League match last weekend. With that defeat, the Cityzens dropped to the second position in the league table with 23 points from 10 matches, which is two less than Liverpool’s tally.
However, Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle United on the same day meant that Manchester City managed to maintain its five-point lead over the Gunners. Still, the Cityzens’ form in its last few matches should keep Pep Guardiola worried.
The midfielders have not been scoring enough goals for Manchester City
Erling Haaland continues to have another great season and has scored 14 goals in 14 matches so far. However, with two of their best midfielders in Kevin de Bruyne and Ballon D’or winner Rodri being injured, the Cityzens have not had enough productivity from their midfielders. Things will certainly improve with de Bruyne’s comeback, but one cannot guarantee that it will happen anytime soon.
Phil Foden, the PFA Player of the Year last season, has scored only three goals in 13 matches this season. İlkay Gündoğan has scored only a solitary goal in 13 matches. Bernardo Silva, who has played on the right flank mostly this season so far, has scored a goal in 14 matches this season.
In comparison, a defender like Joško Gvardiol has scored three goals in 16 matches so far and John Stones has scored three more in 10 matches. Those numbers are not healthy for the Cityzens’ star midfielders, who have been contributing consistently for the last few seasons to help the Manchester club win four Premier League titles in a row.
Foden, who should be in his prime at 24, has failed to score a single goal in his seven Premier League appearances this season. He should definitely try to get more often into the opposition penalty box and not always rely on crosses played by the wingers from the flanks.
He should try to play passes with his fellow central attacking midfielder more often or also try playing a one-two with Haaland to get into the opposition penalty box. De Bruyne has combined so effectively with Haaland to breach the opposition defence at times in the past.
Gündoğan, who is approaching 34 and is past his prime, should also try to contribute more to the cause of the team. Bernardo could have thrived playing in a central role, with Savinho playing on the right flank. Guardiola has tried the above in a match this season as well and might think of doing so more often in the future.
Haaland cannot bail the team out every time
Haaland is leading the race for the Golden Shoe in Premier League once again this season. However, he cannot be expected to score in every match. To make matters worse, he has suffered an injury in a training session recently.
With Julián Álvarez, who used to guarantee at least 10 goals in a season by playing behind the striker, no longer there in the squad, the midfielders will have to step up to keep things running for the Cityzens.
The Cityzens do not have as many prolific forwards as Liverpool does. Hence, Guardiola will have to extract more form his attacking players other than Haaland to keep the pressure on the Reds.