24 November 2024
The collapse of Manchester City's season is unfolding before our eyes. After their 5th loss in a row across all competitions, and 3rd consecutive loss in the Premier League, City is expected to be in full emergency mode. The chances of them winning the league dropped from 60% before the start of the season, to less than 20% after Matchweek 12. Most predictions are now expecting them to finish third in the league.
However, what is more devastating for City is that their last defeat came with a drastic margin, a 4-0 loss at home to Tottenham Hotspurs. With many expecting a big response from Pep Guardiola's side after the international break, foreseeing a win at home against a weakened Tottenham which were missing 2 of their center backs, but instead, City crumbled in front of our eyes in the first half of the match.
What is more worrying is that the poor performance comes a week before their anticipated clash with table leaders Liverpool, who are in astonishing form. City has conceded 14 goals in the last 5 matches, scoring only 4 in return, which has cause pundits to label City's form dip as a crisis, especially considering Rodri is not coming back any time soon.
A key question raised after the loss to Tottenham, is are the team beginning to show signs of aging? Kyle Walker, renowned as one of the fastest full backs in the Premier League, was blown away by the pace of Timo Werner, Kevin De Bruyne is on his way out, Gundogan is slowing down and is definitely not the same player he was before departing to Barcelona. This can indeed be a sign of the decline of the dominant Manchester City side we have become accustomed to watching, possibly even 'the end of an Era', ironically coming after Jurgen Klopp and Erik Ten Haag's departure from the league.
Most team's who lose 5 in a row are usually sitting at the bottom of the table, with their managers coming under scrutiny and expecting the sack. Why are City no in this same situation? The reason why is this is appears to be a crisis in confidence rather than quality.
Will Pep Guardiola find a miracle in the upcoming winter transfer window? It is highly unlikely that the solution to Manchester City's issue will be found in the transfer market. The poor display have been a result of poor defending and a loss of identity, which means the solution needs to come out of the current squad, finding the energy and pride to fight back.
The absolute collapse in form has raised many eyebrows, with some wondering if this is the first time a Premier League reigning champion loses 5 matches in a row, ever? Perhaps the only consolation to City at the moment is that the answer to that question is, no. At least not since Chelsea did it in 1956.
Lets not forget so quickly that Man City have won 5 titles in the last 6 years, which is why the current standing is surprising to all, but it is also the reason why City cannot be under estimated and still have a chance to turn things around.
