Man City’s path forward: Pep, we have some thoughts on how fix this funk you are in | OneFootball

If you have not noticed, Manchester City, the footballing juggernaut under Pep Guardiola, has hit a bit of a rough patch. It’s like watching someone be rude to a waiter or server and then watch them spill their drink on themselves, hard to watch and slightly hilarious.

Pep seems out of ideas and wishing he had not signed that contract extension.

In all seriousness, while City’s recent form has been horrific, there’s no reason to panic. Pep is a world-class manager with a proven track record of success. In his last three roles has been at clubs with strong pedigrees and squads, made them better and won, however this seems to be his first time going through a full blown down turn. He will not be fired for this, however he has to learn a new side to his game that he has never has to develop.

He’ll undoubtedly find a way to turn things around, so to help him along lets break down the issues and find few solutions.

The Core Issue:

As Pep reminded the Liverpool fans, he was won six premier leagues in eight seasons, a record fourth in a row and was going for a fifth this season, he can kiss that goodbye.

It has been suggested that he also wanted to match or break Arsene Wenger’s Invincible record with Arsenal of going a full season unbeaten, that ship sailed along time ago.

City are treble winners and even still have the World Club Cup champions logo on their chest, which has quietly been re-branded “FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2024™” in time for the the new World Club Cup relaunch this summer The United States. (Qooligan missed that in the our series of podcasts discussing Fifa and their expansion plans)

So with such a strong gust of momentum in their history, what has happened?

Well, The team have not been updated or refreshed. Too many players that know how to win and have done for so long have gotten older, slower and hit a wall. Physically & mentally.

Winning like that is a herculean task, akin to running multiple marathons and when you run marathons, you burn out, get injured and lose a step.

Sir Alex Ferguson would re-build teams and constantly be moving on dead weight, Pep being the loyal leader he is, seems to have stuck with his guys while they appear they are all burning out around the same time, (those who are not injured) and the plans he set for the future team have not come to fruition.

First Team Players Bought In Over The Last Three Seasons (seven)

Haaland, Gundagon, Kovacic, Doku, Akanji, Gvardiol & Savinho (Before you go nuts in the comments, yes I know there are others, but you need to look them up and they are not playing)

Source: Alf-inge’s son was a beast & goal machine

Source: They sold him to Barcelona and then got him back two seasons later?

First Team Players Sold Over The Last Three Seasons (Nine)

Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Zinchenko, Mahrez, Laporte, COLE PALMER, Alverez, Cancelo

Source: How did they let this slice of fried gold leave for $50m- He is incredible

Source: World Cup winner Alverez did not want to be second striker so is banging them in for Athletico

Of the notable players in and out there have been seven in and nine out, some older, some not good enough, some will be future legends.

Key Injuries (Six)

Ballon D’Or winner Rodri, Kevin de Bruyne has been in and out, Nathan Akanji, Stones, Dias & Oscar Bobb

So you have seven players in, nine players out, (-2) and six key players out (-8) they are down third of a squad.

So why not use some of that oil money?

Well there is the small issue of the 115 Charges:

While City have the resources to go and spend $1.5bn like Chelsea have while manipulating the optics through the books, there is another issues, City are racking up the legal hours contesting the 115 charges (I am still yet to understand why it is 115 and not just one class action charge, but lets focus..).

If City start spending big, their accounts are going to get questioned even further and also if you are a high end player in the prime of your career, there is a risk going to Man City. You might just find yourself on the receiving end of the authorities, getting relegated as a punishment for some of the 115 charges and having to take a wage cut.

City can not just spend their way out of the this hole they are in, they have to be smarter than that.

Where do they need help?

Looking at their injuries and transfer business they need two defenders, two midfielders and one striker and can not go crazy on the petrocash before their 115 charges are cleared.

So fear not Pep, I have got you, lets go bargin hunting, we are looking for players on free transfers or who have six months on their contract who can support the squad until the key players are fit and ready, and have the experience to play at the level you need to arrest this decline:

Defenders:

-Players who have six months on their contract:

Alfonos Davis: Real are meant to be flirting with him, however worth a shot.

Source:

Ferland Mendy: Real will replace him with Alphons Davis, however need to have Alphons arrive before they may let him leave unless there is some cash kicked in.

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Eric Dier: He has played at the premier league level, however would he want to leave Bayern and another trophy for a turn around job at City, I am sure a four year contract could tempt him.

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Harry Maguire: Yes it’s my fourth option, I did not say they would not be desperate, however crazier deal have been done in the past and he would have something to prove.

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Midfielders:

Paul Pogba: Clean, from his suspension and looking for another throw in the spot light and if he can get fit will add value, and would want to stick one to Man Utd and get back to the big time.

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Joshua Kimmich: If Bayern let this guy go they are crazy, however his contract is running down and at 30 would be a value add to any team.

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Oscar: Yes Brazilian Oscar is done with China and looking for a new team, I did not say these options would be pretty…..

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Strikers:

Karim Benzama: He has been idling in Saudi, is not cup tied (If City do get through the knockout rounds of the champions league) and could be an option on a only a loan deal…..

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Leroy Sane: Yes he was already at City, however his time looks numbered at Bayern and with six months on his contract could do a job for them.

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Dominic Calvert Lewin: Yes he is not at the level they have had before but he can be a relief striker for Haaland and has scored more premier league goals than Saviniho.

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Think you have better solutions, lets here them in the comments below.