Perhaps this is the season that Manchester City had to have | OneFootball

The 24/25 season has been a trying campaign for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. After winning four consecutive Premier League titles, they lost their crown to Liverpool. All eras end, and this season, City’s run as Premier League champions has ended. This season may be looked back upon as the beginning of a new era for Manchester City. In a way, perhaps it was the season the club needed to have to kick the club into gear for what lies ahead.

From early on the 24/25 season seemed different for Manchester City.

This season saw Pep Guardiola’s squad hit by injuries and fatigue. It has seemed that until recently the world champions couldn’t avoid an injury to a key player. The biggest blow was the loss of Rodri to an ACL injury. It was arguably the biggest injury blow Manchester City suffered. But throughout the season, we have seen Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Oscar Bobb and others all miss time due to injury. There was a lesson to be learned by the City hierarchy during the injury crisis Pep Guardiola’s side suffered. Perhaps they’ll need a slightly bigger squad for next season.

As Manchester City’s senior players struggled we have seen City’s new signings and young players step up.

What was also apparent this season was that a host of Manchester City’s senior players can’t do what they once could. Age and the legacy of ‘battles’ fought and won finally caught up to City’s senior players. But as that unfolded throughout late November until January there were positives to emerge from the carnage for Pep Guardiola’s side.

City signed Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Nico during the January transfer window. Each player has shown a glimpse of what they will add to Pep Guardiola’s squad in time. But the lift they gave Pep Guardiola’s squad has been clear to see. Players like Matheus Nunes stepped into unfamiliar roles to help their team. Nunes deserves credit for that.

The performances of Nico O’Reilly and James McAtee of late have helped City embark on their current nine-match unbeaten run. O’Reilly has become Manchester City’s left-back of choice of late. That’s a credit to him. He was also named Manchester City’s player of the month for April which speaks to his talent and potential. McAtee has also shown signs over recent matches that there could be a role for him in the future at Manchester City.

There will be sad departures from Manchester City this summer. Kevin De Bruyne has already announced that he will leave the club at the end of the season. Ederson could potentially be another. There will likely be more. But perhaps the 24/25 season had to happen for the reality of whose time at the top is up to be seen. That could also be the legacy of the 24/25 season for Manchester City.

Summary.

There is still plenty for Manchester City to play for over the closing stages of this season. They have the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace and Champions League football to secure. If they can achieve both it will represent something to take from this season for Pep Guardiola’s side. But when looking back on the 24/25 season it may have been the season that had to happen for City to kickstart their rebuild and attempt to build their next era of dominance. That may well be the lesson that comes out of this season for Pep Guardiola’s side.