On the back of last season’s treble success and several key players departing the club it is clear that Manchester City are rebuilding. Crucial players Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte all departed the club after last season’s heroics. As it stands this season the process of replacing them (especially in the case of Ilkay Gundogan) is taking time.
New signings
This season began with so much promise. City began the Premier League season with 6 consecutive wins. A feature of that winning streak was how well Mateo Kovacic had slotted into a role similar to the one Ilkay Gundogan filled. Injuries curtailed the Croatian international’s promising start to his City career. He has since returned but he needs time to adapt to his new club and find the form he had at the start of the season. The same can also be said for Matheus Nunes. After joining from Wolves on deadline day he hasn’t yet adjusted to his new surroundings.
As the two new midfielders settle in Jeremy Doku made a flying start to life at the Etihad. Signed after Riyad Mahrez departed the club in the summer the Belgian winger has become a key player for Pep Guardiola already. But he’s a different type of player to Mahrez so Pep Guardiola has adjusted his tactics to accommodate Doku.
Josko Gvardiol is also taking time to adjust to his new home. After his big-money arrival from RB Leipzig, he started the season well but has suffered as his team has in recent weeks. The Croatian will become a key piece of the next era of City success once he adjusts to Pep Guardiola’s demands and the Premier League.
Summary
After losing key players after an era of success it is clear that Manchester City are rebuilding their squad. The rebuilding isn’t complete and will be a work in progress. With 90min.com reporting of City’s interest in Florian Wirtz, it is apparent that the club is already making moves to continue to refresh the squad. But despite this Pep Guardiola’s side is more than capable of winning titles this season.
There is more than enough quality in the City squad to contend while simultaneously rebuilding the squad. Any team with Erling Haaland, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Ruben Dias and co is a title challenger regardless of a dip in form.
The club will expect to challenge on all fronts while they build the next all-conquering squad. Pep Guardiola will no doubt demand this of his squad as Txiki Begiristain and co. find him the pieces to add to what the treble winners have.
