Premier League: what is happening at Manchester City?

What's going on at Man City? The Skyblues, who were martyred on Wednesday evening at Aston Villa (1-0), seem to have been stalling for several weeks. Indeed, Pep Guardiola's players signed a fourth match without a win in the Premier League in Birmingham. The last time that the Cityzens had posted such a series, it was... in April 2017. In terms of accounting, nothing dramatic for the Mancuniens, who find themselves fourth, two points from Aston Villa, four from Liverpool and six from the leader Arsenal. This is still the worst start for the English champions since 2019. Even if they lost to Aston Villa, the Mancuniens remained undefeated in this series against Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham. There is worse.

The treble winners last season must also do without their midfielder Rodri. The other metronome of the Mancunian team, Kevin De Bruyne, should make his return in the coming weeks. The Belgian, injured since August, was selected by the Skyblues to play in the Club World Cup in mid-December. What is most worrying at Man City right now are some of Pep Guardiola's choices. The Catalan coach tries and tries things by aligning several of his players in positions that are not theirs. Recently placed in No.10, at the heart of the game, Julian Alvarez cannot find his way there, he who is a pure center forward. Same problem for Josko Gvardiol. The young Croatian, a central defender by trade, finds himself occupying a position he does not like, as a full-back. This creates imbalances in the Manchester squad and the players perform well below their usual level.

City's defense, which has conceded 17 goals in its last 15 Premier League matches, is much less airtight than last season. The Cityzens had not been so feverish defensively since the 2009-2010 season. Worse still, against Aston Villa, they only shot twice on goal. Erling Haaland was notably ghostly throughout the meeting. Pep Guardiola has never seen one of his teams be so harmless in 535 matches as coach. That is to say. The Mancuniens were victims of 22 shots on Wednesday evening, once again, never has a team of the Spanish coach been put in so much danger. Guardiola himself admitted after the defeat against Villa that his team was “in difficulty” and that he was “looking for solutions”. “We know our level and as a coach we have to find a way to win games. We're having a little trouble. I am here to help them,” added Guardiola.

All four of City's defeats this season have come in Rodri's absence. The Spaniard is the cornerstone of this team. With the presence of their midfielder, the Cityzens are unbeaten in their last 43 matches, and Guardiola knows this very well, and admitted that he had to “find a way to win without him”. Good news for the European champions, the irreplaceable Rodri should be back for their next match on Sunday, at promoted Luton Town. Man City will be expected at the turn and will have to take points to catch up with Arsenal and to find a smile again.

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