LONDON, Dec 14, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Manchester City’s Premier League title
defence appears over before Christmas, with Pep Guardiola’s men travelling to
Arsenal on Sunday already 14 points adrift of runaway leaders Liverpool.
City have made the extraordinary routine, winning five of the past six
major domestic trophies in England but have dropped as many points in 16
league games this season as in the whole of last season.
So what has gone wrong for a hugely talented and expensive squad under the
tutelage of one of football’s greatest coaches? Injuries
Even a squad as rich in resources as City’s is not immune to injuries.
Leroy Sane and Aymeric Laporte suffered long-term knee injuries in the
first few weeks of the season, with Laporte’s absence leaving a gaping hole
at the heart of City’s defence.
Fernandinho has had to deputise out of position at centre-back, meaning the
Brazilian’s influence at the base of City’s midfield has also been missed.
Manchester United cut their local rivals apart on the counter-attack in
winning the derby at the Etihad 2-1 last weekend, while Norwich, Wolves and
Liverpool have also exposed City’s frailties in defensive transition to
inflict defeat on the champions.
Benjamin Mendy’s lack of fitness and an injury to Oleksandr Zinchenko has
also led to a rotating cast at left-back, with none of the options available
to Guardiola inspiring much confidence. Bad planning
Even before Laporte’s injury, City appeared short at centre-back following
the loss of captain Vincent Kompany, who left at the end of last season to
take charge of Anderlecht.
Kompany’s final years at the club were ravaged by injury, but he played a
vital role late last season as City won their final 14 league games to pip
Liverpool to the title by one point.
The Belgian was an inspirational leader and his departure left City without
a figurehead when things get tough.
Similarly, the issues at left-back were not unforeseen. Mendy has been
blighted by injuries since he joined the club but City instead strengthened
at right-back over the summer with the signing of Joao Cancelo. Fourth-season
fatigue
Guardiola is into his fourth season at City, matching his longest spell at
one club.
The Catalan quit Barcelona after four seasons from 2008 to 2012 that left
him burned out.
In explaining his decision, he suggested after winning 14 trophies in four
seasons at the Camp Nou that the Barcelona players needed a new message.
Guardiola’s intense demands can also have a physically and mentally
draining effect on players. End of an era
A core of players that have been constants in City’s most successful era
but Kompany’s departure signalled a changing of the guard.
David Silva, 33, Sergio Aguero, 31, and Fernandinho, 34, have also been
hugely influential, but are all beyond their prime.
Silva has already announced he will leave the club at the end of the
season. Aguero, City’s all-time leading goalscorer, is out of contract in 18
months’ time.
City have put a succession plan in place for Fernandinho by signing Rodri
for a club-record œ62.8 million ($84 million) in July. However, the 23-year-
old Spanish international has struggled as he adjusts to the rigours of the
Premier League.
There is a local clamour for Phil Foden to be the long-term replacement for
Silva and Gabriel Jesus has shared the striker’s role with Aguero under
Guardiola.
But Kompany’s departure shows that transition will not be an easy one.
Liverpool charge
City have helped create a monster they are now struggling to compete with.
Guardiola’s men re-wrote the history books by registering a century of points
for the first time in the English top flight in 2017/18 and backed that up
with 98 last season.
Liverpool’s tally of 97 was the third highest ever and yet still not enough
to end the wait for a first league title on Merseyside since 1989/90.
In most other seasons, City’s return of 32 points from their opening 16
games would at least be enough to keep them in the running.
However, they have raised the bar and Liverpool have risen to the
challenge. A relentless run of 15 wins and one draw from the European
champions has seen them disappear over the horizon and surely out of reach.