Esteemed Kompany host Steven Mcinerney looks at 5 things we learned from Manchester City’s 1-all draw with Chelsea at the weekend in the video below. It was a frustrating result for Pep Guardiola’s side. But the champions showed fight to come away with a point in a thrilling game at the Etihad.
Perspective is needed
There has been an overreaction to Manchester City dropping points at the Etihad. City had won eleven consecutive games before Saturday’s draw at the Etihad. While it wasn’t City’s day they did play well enough to come away with three points.
Pep Guardiola’s side are still well-placed in the Premier League title race despite Saturday’s draw. While it was a frustrating result there is still plenty of time left this season for City. The champions did well to salvage a point against Chelsea so it wasn’t all doom and gloom on Saturday.
Julian Alvarez experiment
The experiment of Pep Guardiola playing Julian Alvarez in midfield continued against Chelsea. City’s World Cup winner wasn’t at his best before being substituted in the second half.
Manchester City didn’t look at their best while Alvarez played in midfield. While his effort can never be faulted he didn’t look comfortable in the role. It will be interesting to see if Guardiola persists with Alvarez in the role going forward. The Argentine can play the role against some sides but Chelsea’s midfield did appear a step too far for Alvarez.
Phil Foden playing on the right wing
Saturday’s game saw Phil Foden line up on the right wing. He played there with devastating effect during City’s 3-1 win over FC Copenhagen last week.
But against Chelsea, he was on the periphery of the game playing out wide on the right. Will Foden shift centrally for the remainder of the season? No doubt Bernardo Silva’s absence from the starting lineup was a factor in Pep Guardiola’s selection
It’s a possibility and one that may be explored going forward. Manchester City is a better team when Foden is a prominent player and a midfield role may be where he features more often as the season heats up.
Manchester City’s open defence
Another problem for the champions was the open defence of the world champions. Chelsea carved through the City defence to open the scoring and in truth should’ve been 2-nil up at halftime.
Teams are finding it too easy to get behind City’s defence. There does appear to be a disconnect between the midfield and the champion’s defence.
It is an issue that needs to be rectified as City chase history this season.
Jeremy Doku debate
Another debate following Saturday’s game surrounds the performance of Jeremy Doku. The Belgian winger wasn’t City’s worst player against Chelsea and at times was his team’s most dangerous attacking option on the left wing.
Doku is far from the finished product but his game is developing and he does have a pivotal role to play for Pep Guardiola. The young winger was far from City’s worst player at the weekend and will continue to develop.
Summary
Esteemed Kompany host Steven Mcinerney gives his thoughts on 5 things we learned from Manchester City’s draw with Chelsea in the video below.
