As Manchester City prepares for their Boxing Day match against Everton, Pep Guardiola's side, the defending champions, are facing an unprecedented season. A string of consecutive defeats has left City in seventh place in the Premier League, 12 points behind league leaders Liverpool. With only one win in their last 12 matches across all competitions, Guardiola and his team find themselves in a challenging situation, struggling to salvage their season.
The situation reflecting Manchester City's struggles is astonishing. Losing nine out of their last 12 matches signifies a significant decline for Guardiola, who is known for consistent victories. In previous seasons, it took Pep Guardiola nine losses in two seasons played. This decline is unprecedented and new. They have faced four defeats in five Premier League games as the away team.
These players were previously in a series of seven matches without a win, which was even worse than the six-match winless streak that Guardiola experienced in his first season at City. Compared to other top teams in the "big six," such a situation has not been seen since 1954.
Manchester City's struggles cannot be blamed on one single issue. They are due to injuries, the lack of rotation among substitute players, and the aging of key players.
The Absence of Key Players
Rodri's absence has been a heavy blow for City. The Spanish player has been the core of City's midfield, also scoring crucial goals during the toughest moments. Since Rodri got injured, City's structure has weakened. Since last season, City has lost nine Premier League matches out of the 19 games Rodri has missed.
Similarly, Ruben Dias's injuries have further exacerbated Manchester City's defensive issues. The team is at risk of conceding many goals when Dias is not in the lineup, while the average number of goals conceded significantly decreases when he is on the pitch.
Aging Core
The aging players have also become a challenge for Guardiola's ability to implement his strong playing style. Kyle Walker (34), Kevin De Bruyne (33), Bernardo Silva (30), and Gundogan (34) are among the players who are unable to maintain their highest level of performance.
City started this season with 11 players aged 29 and above, which is the highest in the Premier League. The reliance on older players explains the difficulty the team has in maintaining consistent victories.
Similarly, in his first two seasons playing for City, Haaland was in excellent form, scoring many goals. However, after starting this season in an amazing way, scoring 14 goals in 13 matches, his performance has now dropped as his team is experiencing a decline.
In 11 matches, Haaland scored only four goals, with his goal conversion rate from the chances he received dropping by 9.8%. The average number of touches he has inside the penalty area has also decreased by six per game.
Guardiola admitted that Haaland needs to perform well, stating:
"When Erling scored a lot of goals, it was the performance of the whole team."
Guardiola’s Response
Amid increasing pressure, Guardiola continues to make decisions aimed at restoring Manchester City's form. The manager has requested that the entire team commit to effort, even if it means breaking the training schedule rule set for Christmas Day. This decision has attracted criticism, but it highlights Guardiola's determination to stop the team's decline.
When speaking about the Everton game, Guardiola spoke in a firm manner:
"Today we are training, and tomorrow night we will train again. After that, we are here to play on Boxing Day. I hope they want to stay here—and that’s our job."
The captain of the City team, Kyle Walker, agreed with Guardiola's statement, saying that the team's situation requires specific actions.
He said, "We were lucky in the past that we didn't have to train on Christmas Day. But this year, it's important."
Opportunity to Return
Although the team's position in the league has significantly dropped, they still have many opportunities to rebuild. With important matches against Everton, Leicester City, and West Ham during the break, Guardiola and his team have a chance to regain momentum.
In the Champions League knockout stage, City face an important match against Paris Saint-Germain in January. A victory could restore their confidence and continue their European campaign. Additionally, the FA Cup match against Salford offers another opportunity for City to showcase their strength.
Opening of the January market
The transfer market opportunity in January gives City a chance to address some of their issues. Strengthening the midfield and defense could help Guardiola stabilize the team. However, the ongoing legal battle regarding the financial allegations from the Premier League is complicating their future, raising doubts about what lies ahead.
The recent extension of Guardiola's contract, meaning he will stay at the Etihad until 2026, shows that the club still has confidence in the manager's leadership. However, Guardiola faces some of the toughest challenges of his career: rebuilding a team that has led the highest levels of English football.
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