What’s Gone Wrong at Manchester City in December 2024?
Manchester City, a club synonymous with dominance in the Premier League and beyond, finds itself in unfamiliar territory as December 2024 unfolds. Despite the brilliance of Pep Guardiola and a squad brimming with talent, cracks have started to show. Here’s a closer look at the issues currently plaguing the reigning European champions.
1. Defensive Instability
City’s defense, once a fortress anchored by Ruben Dias and John Stones, has become a cause for concern. Injuries to key players, including Stones and Nathan Aké, have left Guardiola scrambling for solutions. The experimentation with makeshift defensive pairings, such as Rodri and Josko Gvardiol in central defense, has disrupted the team’s rhythm. The defensive lapses have led to uncharacteristic errors, costing the team crucial points in both the league and European competitions.
2. Over-Reliance on Erling Haaland
While Erling Haaland continues to score at an astonishing rate, City’s attacking approach has become overly dependent on the Norwegian striker. Opposing teams have adjusted their strategies, often doubling up on Haaland to neutralize his threat. Without adequate support from other attackers, City’s once-fluid system has appeared predictable at times. Jack Grealish and Phil Foden have struggled for consistency, while summer signing Jeremy Doku has yet to fully settle into Guardiola’s demanding system.
3. Midfield Weaknesses and Rodri's Absence
The return of Ilkay Gündogan has bolstered City’s midfield with much-needed leadership and tactical intelligence. However, the season-ending injury to Rodri has left a significant void in the defensive midfield position. Rodri was instrumental in City’s title run last season, serving as the linchpin for both defensive transitions and ball progression. Without a natural defensive midfielder, the team has struggled to maintain balance, leaving the defense exposed and the midfield lacking its usual control. Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes, while talented, have not been able to replicate Rodri’s impact, exacerbating City’s midfield vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne’s injury woes have left a creative void that City has struggled to fill.
4. Fixture Congestion and Squad Fatigue
Manchester City’s relentless pursuit of success in multiple competitions has led to inevitable fatigue. The Club World Cup in December has added to an already congested fixture list, leaving players physically and mentally drained. Guardiola’s rotations have been necessary but have also disrupted the team’s cohesion, particularly in high-stakes matches.
5. Off-Field Distractions
The ongoing investigations into alleged financial breaches have cast a shadow over the club’s operations. While the players and coaching staff insist on focusing solely on football, the external noise has created an air of uncertainty. Questions about potential sanctions and their impact on City’s future have fueled speculation, further unsettling the club.
6. Pep Guardiola’s Commitment
In a positive turn, Pep Guardiola has signed a new contract, reaffirming his commitment to Manchester City. This has provided a sense of stability and long-term vision for the club. However, Guardiola’s historically finite tenures at clubs still raise questions about how much longer he will continue to evolve this team and maintain their dominance.
Can City Turn It Around?
Despite the challenges, Manchester City’s track record of bouncing back from adversity cannot be ignored. Guardiola is a master tactician, capable of reinventing his team mid-season. The return of key players like De Bruyne and Stones in the coming weeks, coupled with Gündogan’s influence, could provide the spark needed to reignite their campaign. However, addressing the absence of a defensive midfielder in Rodri’s mold remains a top priority. Additionally, the January transfer window offers an opportunity to address squad weaknesses, particularly in midfield and defense.
City’s current predicament may be concerning, but if any team can overcome such obstacles, it is the blue side of Manchester. However, the next few weeks will be critical in determining whether this season’s struggles are a temporary blip or indicative of deeper issues within the club.