Manchester City
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This season was originally dubbed ‘The battle of Manchester’ before a ball had even been kicked. Pundits and fans alike drooled over the tactical battles they would witness between two of the most successful managers in history. Jose Mourinho versus Pep Guardiola, only one could take the crown.
During the opening stages, the battle swung in Guardiola’s favour. Manchester City were able to brush aside any foe that stood before them with relative ease as they won their first ten games in a row in all competitions.
In comparison to their direct rivals, City hold an alarming strength in depth. Nearly all positions have a host of world-class players vying for a starting spot. This coupled with young but incredibly talented up-and-comers such as Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus were certainly a frightening aspect for both present and future.
David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne were dictating play as they ghosted through defences at will, inch perfect passes nearly always finding their spear-head in Sergio Aguero. A player rightfully anointed the best and most complete striker in the Premier League.
Their coronation of the crown come May seemed inevitable, that is until they hit their first real stumbling block in the shape of Tottenham. Manchester City were outplayed and outsmarted. A Tottenham win never appeared in doubt from kick-off until the final whistle.
Pep Guardiola’s side were unprepared and seemingly in shock. They had felt invincible and took the loss extremely hard as they began to tear apart at the seams with lifeless performances leading to bore-draws or embarrassing losses such as that against their city rivals Manchester United.
Furthermore, when things weren’t going their way, Manchester City lacked the self-belief and ability to turn things around as Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool began to build steam.
Like Liverpool, Manchester City were unable to create solutions to the sudden implosion of form. Their listless performances were mirrored by Pep Guardiola’s sulky demeanour as he became despondent in post-match interviews.
A great deal of the blame can be placed in the fact that Guardiola likes his teams to play from the back. An attractive proposition in terms of keeping possession yet when the defensive side of your spine consists of Claudio Bravo, Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones, trouble will brew.
Relinquishing the services of Joe Hart raised eyebrows but no whispers. Fans had belief in their manager, but in hindsight, this was a mistake. Bravo was brought in due to his ability to play from the back but he has been unable to translate his skills from the Camp Nou to the Etihad.
John Stones’s tendency to also play out from the back regardless of the dangers that lurk often leave fans’ hearts in their throats and Nicolas Otamendi is too often drawn in by the opposition to leave gaps in the defensive line.
These lapses come to the fore against lightning quick teams such as Leicester and Chelsea who were able to turn Manchester City’s defence over time and again to leave the pitch with a well-deserved three points, come the final whistle.
Manchester City though appear to off put their slump to bed. An inspiring win against Barcelona somewhat restored their confidence as the grey clouds above the Etihad figuratively parted. Guardiola has found his groove again as they build up an assault on Chelsea’s title aspirations with positive displays and strong attacking intent.
Their second-leg loss to Monaco aside, all seems well on the blue side of Manchester once more.
Pep Guardiola’s side certainly have one of the most difficult fixture lists in the fact they must still play Manchester United and Chelsea but barring another breakdown of even larger proportions, compared to earlier in the season, they should quite comfortably find themselves playing Champions League football once more.
Chances of a top four finish - 8/10
