Why is Manchester City not performing well this season?

Manchester City, who have dominated the Premier League for a very long time, is now struggling to achieve their expectations. Mancity already has lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League Play-Offs. The typically dominant side, with its possession-heavy style, clinical finishing, and tactical flexibility, is not performing up to its usual standards. So, what’s gone wrong? Let’s dive into the factors that could explain Manchester City's struggles this season.

 

Injuries and Squad Depths

One of the primary reasons for City’s dip in form can be traced to injuries. Over the course of a long season, injuries are inevitable, but it seems like key players have been sidelined for longer than usual. Rodri, who is considered to be the best midfielder of this time, was injured at the beginning of the season. Rodri's absence was fatal to Mancity as they had no one to replace him. Also, Mancity's core player, Kevin De Buyne was also injured and is not in the greatest form after coming back from the injury. John Stones, Jack Grealish, and Nathan Ake were also the players who suffered injuries this season. The small depths in the squad are also a huge problem. The players easily get tired and even injure themselves by playing matches too much. There are only about 16-17 players who can actually play under Pep Guardiola's system right now. 

Players not performing well

Many players are not performing well or have even had a bad performance this season.

-Kyle Walker: Walker's speed dropped massively so he could not defend fast wingers. His attacking ability was the worst in the League this season. 

-Ilkay Gundogan: Gundogan could not press hard in the midfield as he became older. His passing skills and his ability to score inside the box are not seen often. 

-Jack Grealish: Grealish's stats are incredibly low as he has not scored any goals recently. His pattern of passing back is too repetitive and is not useful. 

-Ederson: Ederson has made too many mistakes this season. His ability to block shots is too poor compared to other goalkeepers in the League. 

-Phil Foden: If you see how well Foden performed last season, you will be surprised by how he is not playing well now. 

It is seen that almost all players in Mancity are not performing well this season. 

Inconsistent Performances in Big Matches

One notable feature of City’s season has been their inability to perform in some of the bigger matches. Games against top-six rivals have been marked by inconsistency, and City has failed to pick up as many points as they should have.

As you can see, Mancity has only won twice against the big 6 clubs in the Premier League. This is very fatal for them as they have to compete with those teams to qualify for the Champions League next season. Mancity also has been eliminated from their cup matches (except for the FA Cup), including the Champions League so it is almost guaranteed that they will not win any trophies this season. 

 

Conclusion

While Manchester City’s struggles this season may feel like a departure from their usual dominance, it’s important to remember that every team goes through phases of adjustment. Pep Guardiola’s teams are known for their resilience, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Manchester City managed to turn things around as the season progresses. This season may not end with the same level of dominance that City fans have expected, but there are still many games to be played. Mancity should try their best to win those games and prepare well for the next season.