5 reasons why Manchester City have started so well

Manchester City are currently first in both the Premier League and their respective Champions League group. They have won all of their league games except one draw to Everton and boast a one hundred percent record in Europe, impressively defeating Napoli both home and away.

The Citizens are not just winning but are looking extremely impressive in their victories. Last season's defensive frailties are no longer apparent and the team is now more than able to dismantle any opposition at will.

It seems that manager Pep Guardiola is set to continue his impressive managerial record after a trophy-less first season in England. Here we take a look five reasons why City have been running riot this season:

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#1 Pep Guardiola's tactics

Pep Guardiola arrived at the blue side of Manchester with a huge reputation, but also under a lot of expectations due to his antics with Barcelona and Bayern Munich. His team started well and won all of their first ten matches in all competitions.

However, by 23rd October 2016 they had gone five games without a win and City's form was inconsistent for the rest of the trophy-less season. Guardiola's tactical approach was accused of being too rigid and unable to adapt to English football

As a result, the following summer involved somewhat of an overhaul at the club, in order for Guardiola to continue his same system.

His system has been named as the Tiki-taka style of football that relies on high possession retention and a high defensive line. He first developed and perfected the system while managing at his boyhood club of FC Barcelona.

Dutch legend Yohan Cruyff changed the footballing culture in the Catalan capital and when Frank Rijkaard lost his job in 2008, it was decided that then Barcelona B manager, Guardiola would replace him.

He won a club record of fourteen trophies in his four seasons before moving to German giants Bayern Munich. He would record further success here, winning the title in each of his three seasons.

City are currently reaping the benefits of his tactics and made it 10 consecutive wins in the league after their recent triumph over Leicester City away from home. However, it remains unknown as to whether Guardiola can maintain the high standard for the rest of the season, but if so, they could emulate his all-conquering Barcelona side.

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#2 Kevin De Bruyne's on a different level

De Bruyne is tracked by Marc Albrighton

The Belgian star arrived at the club in 2015 from Wolfsburg for a fee of £55 million. He had already played in the Premier League at Chelsea, but failed to make an impact due to the lack of opportunities and moved to the German club.

At the time of his return his transfer fee was heavily criticised. A very large fee for a player that Chelsea had allowed to leave for just £18 million three seasons prior.

However, the 2015 Footballer of the Year in Germany had scored 16 goals and assisted 27 times in the season prior to his Manchester move.

He has shown glimpses of form at City but nothing like what he showcased in the 2016-17 season. He has also shown the ability to find a teammate with a pass like not many others.

De Bruyne's international manager has moved him into a deeper role in the team in which he excelled and at the start of the current season his club manager followed the same path. He now sits alongside Fernandinho in a midfield two, which gives him greater control of the game.

In the past he was often isolated with his back to goal, but now he is the one starting the attacking movements; both scoring goals from deep as well as assisting for the fluid front players.

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#3 New signing Ederson

Brazilian Ederson is the new number one

Last season City were unable to settle on a number one goalkeeper. The English goalkeeper and fan-favourite Joe Hart was an ever-present before the new manager had arrived.

Claudio Bravo was signed as a replacement for Hart in order to establish the new tactical system. A key to Tika-taka is that the goalkeeper acts as a sweeper that is able to find teammates with passes as well as any outfield player.

However, Bravo failed to impress and rotated with Willy Caballero for the keeper's jersey. Both would be awkward under high balls and often poor with the ball at their feet. Ederson's arrival has meant that the defence now has confidence in their goalkeeper.

Defenders Nicolás Otamendi and John Stones have excelled with Ederson behind them. They have the confidence to commit into challenges because they know a shot at goal can be saved. Now sitting on the bench, Bravo had an unwanted long run of conceding from every shot he faced.

Despite his Premier League career being in its infancy, Ederson looks assured with his feet and is a fine shot-stopper. He is vital in keeping out shots but also staring attacks.

He will be keen to continue his form with the World Cup 2018 in the summer as a starting place in the Brazil team is yet to be claimed.

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#4 Players that fit the system

Kyle Walker on a Champions League night

Pep Guardiola arrived in Manchester to an ageing squad. Particularly the full-back department was Gaël Clichy, Aleksandar Kolarov, Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta. All were in the wrong side of thirty and unable to fulfill the tactical requirements.

As mentioned previously, Guardiola's fullbacks are very important. At Barcelona, he had Brazilian Dani Alves who rarely played in his own half and was allowed an attacking role in the team.

The club backed the manager and spent heavily on fullbacks Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy. Despite Mendy's injury, he was impressive in the system, and Walker has been extremely important for City.

After Mendy's injury, Fabian Delph was surprisingly able to adapt to the role and has flourished ever since.

An important signing actually made last season was Brazilian teenager Gabriel Jesus in January. He made the switch from Palmeiras following their domestic season and made an instant impact.

The potential star scored 7 goals in just 10 league games in a debut season affected by injury and has so far scored 8 league goals in 11 games this season. He is now able to play alongside club record goalscorer Sergio Aguero and is also an able deputy.

One of the team's major strengths is their depth. They have at least two very good players for each position, meaning they are able to cope with a long and busy season. As a result, they are also less susceptible to injury than others.

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#5 Fernandinho is worth two players

Fernandinho and Kolašinac battle

Fernandinho is now a veteran in a fairly young City side. At thirty-two, he moved to England in 2013 and his role has developed over time. Initially, he played alongside Yaya Touré and stayed deep and won the ball which gave Touré a free midfield role.

He has also shown that he is capable of playing at the highest level in the Brazilian national team and like his teammate Ederson he will be hoping to start in the World Cup next summer.

Since last season he has expanded his game, retaining his ball turnover skills but and has even managed to score two league goals.

Now playing alongside De Bruyne and his manager describes his strengths to the club website as:

“He can play in 10 positions. Last season he played full-back many times. It’s important to create a good team with good guys and he is one of them. He is a fundamental player for us and I am happy to have him.”

At Barcelona, Guardiola had the luxury of a midfield three of Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta and Xavi. However, because of the makeup of his current squad, Fernandinho is of great importance combining the roles of all three Spaniards.

Like De Bruyne, it is unclear how City would be able to operate in his absence. The club signed ?lkay Gündo?an last season and despite many injuries, he has shown the ability to operate effectively in the system.

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