Manchester City had a miserable campaign, but they managed to call on 30 players with an average age of 27 years and 81 days. Pep Guardiola’s team were entirely toothless, as evidenced by an abysmal goal-scoring record. The rest of the squad’s deficiencies were evident. They did not score in their first six Premier League games, as many goalless games as the club had in the last two seasons together. This article takes an extensive look at this season’s challenges for the team and Guardiola’s determination to revamp with the years to come at stake.
Guardiola’s team finished the campaign with their lowest possession figure since the Manuel Pellegrini days. This change is an obvious indicator of a broader change in their approach. The team’s problems compounded with the poor play of their stars. Remarkably, Jack Grealish was limited to just seven Premier League starts all campaign. Then, to make matters worse, they lost midfield lynchpin Rodri and his absence blew a massive hole in their shape. Consequently, they went an entire month without any wins while battling for consistency.
Analyzing the Team’s Performance
Manchester City’s struggles this season have been apparent, including how few goals they haven’t scored this season. The team suffered a huge decrease in scoring, putting the ball in the back of the net just 72 times, down from 96 a season ago. This drop can be excused with recent reasons like injuries and sudden loss of form from important players. Haaland was the clear leader with 24 goal contributions, including 21 goals and three assists. His cumulative contributions weren’t enough to compensate for the general deterioration of the team around him.
Guardiola admitted that the injury situation had made for difficult times – especially with Rodri out. His injury really threw the team’s balance off. He highlighted it as a key recruitment failure with the lack of cover for midfield options. The manager’s anguish is clear as he fumbles through these barriers all while trying to hole punch a squad for the next transfer window.
“New faces will come, especially in positions that are a little weaker, but I don’t think much, I don’t think a lot,” – Pep Guardiola
The team’s midfield issues were further exacerbated by Kevin De Bruyne’s decline. Arguably the most impactful player on the team, his sudden dip in form sent alarm bells ringing through the fanbase and football pundits everywhere. Phil Foden’s inconsistent performances added to the overall worries regarding the squad’s depth and capabilities.
The Road Ahead for Guardiola and City
The summer transfer window opens June 16 and closes September 1. Peering ahead Guardiola now faces a defining chapter for Manchester City. He’s been adamant about the urgency to rebuild the deep flaws that developed this season and to rebuild the team. predator-542.csv This summer, three of Guardiola’s assistants will depart the club. This departure will bring a very important change to the coaching hierarchy.
It’s clear the squad needs more reinforcements—including in midfield. Guardiola’s comments regarding player capabilities underscore his determination to enhance the squad’s quality. He expressed doubts about certain players’ suitability for key positions in midfield, stating, “I think he’s not a player to play in midfield because he’s not clever enough.”
The upcoming transfer window presents an opportunity for Guardiola to reshape his squad. The team clearly wants to target players who add depth and a bit of funk in the midfield. This strategy should keep future injuries from derailing their performance.
Key Takeaways from the Season
As Manchester City looks back on what was a tumultuous season, these are some of the biggest lessons learned. For the 2021-2022 season, the team will need to push through its scoring inequities and learn to find offense without its star players. Guardiola’s acknowledgment of recruitment failures indicates a willingness to learn from this season’s shortcomings.
The decision to mutually part ways with some of the coaching staff indicates a shift toward pursuing new ideas and approaches heading into next season. See how new signings and coaching adjustments can provide a much-needed boost to the team. They have flashed dominance but underwhelmed this season.
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