As domestic football takes a pause this weekend for the international break Manchester City has made an impressive start to the new season. A FA Community Shield victory over Manchester United laid the foundation for what was to come. The champions have followed that with three consecutive wins over Chelsea, Ipswich Town and West Ham to begin the Premier League season. Here is a look at what has stood out from Manchester City’s impressive start to the season.
Manchester City look to have addressed the support for Rodri issue.
Heading into the transfer window finding a midfielder to provide cover for Rodri appeared to be City’s biggest priority. Manchester City brought in Ilkay Gundogan late in the transfer window who is a different type of midfielder to Rodri. But with Gundogan’s addition Manchester City’s midfield looks a lot stronger. Two players have stepped up to provide cover for City’s most important player.
Mateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis have shown they can provide cover for Rodri. Both players stepping into midfield has covered what City lose without Rodri on the pitch. Kovacic has shown he can play the Rodri role and thrive in the heart of Manchester City’s midfield. Rico Lewis playing as an inverted full-back and with his intelligence further strengthens City’s midfield.
The early signs are positive that Manchester City have addressed the one major weakness in their squad. If that holds for the remainder of the season, the champions are well-placed, and their heavy reliance on Rodri may be alleviated.
Rico Lewis has risen to become the first-choice right-back for the champions.
One of the feel-good stories of the opening games of Manchester City’s season has been the rise of Rico Lewis. Lewis has staked his claim to become City’s first-choice right-back for the 24/25 season and beyond.
Outside of Erling Haaland, there is an argument to be made that Lewis has been Manchester City’s most impressive player to begin the season. He has thrived as a player after an impressive pre-season. His displays in City’s opening games of the 24/25 season have been so good that Manchester City hasn’t needed Kyle Walker on the pitch. That is a massive compliment to the play of Rico Lewis given the standing of Kyle Walker in the City squad.
The challenge after the international break for Rico Lewis is to maintain his form and standing in Pep Guardiola’s squad. But based on the beginning of his career and this season, there is no doubt that Lewis is capable of doing just that.
Kevin De Bruyne looks to be playing in a slightly different role and he looks as dangerous as ever.
Across Manchester City’s first three games of the season, Kevin De Bruyne has shown he is still a force to be reckoned with. His performances have improved week to week across City’s first three Premier League games of the season.
But it also appears that Kevin De Bruyne is playing a slightly different role this season. It was clearly on display against West Ham as he alternated between a central role in midfield and on the left wing as he swapped positions with Jack Grealish. This slight change of role appears to have made De Bruyne a more dangerous proposition. He is popping up in dangerous areas of the pitch, and if it wasn’t for the woodwork, he’d have three goals or more so far this season.
De Bruyne’s start to the season has been strong. The new role he is playing appears to be ideally suited to De Bruyne’s game given his age. It will be interesting to watch going forward to see if De Bruyne continues to play in this apparent new role and if he continues to be such a dangerous attacking option for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Erling Haaland is threatening to run riot during the 24/25 season.
City’s star striker has started the new season in stunning form. He has scored 7 goals in 3 Premier League games after back-to-back hat tricks against Ipswich Town and West Ham.
Based on his current form Erling Haaland is threatening to run riot this season. He has improved as a player, and when he is on his game, he is unstoppable. The early signs are that Haaland could dominate the 24/25 season.
It’s only early days of the new season but Erling Haaland has laid an incredible foundation for what’s to come this season. If he can continue his absurd start to the season, there is no telling what carnage he could create across this season.
Rodri and Phil Foden are yet to fire a shot this season and that’s a frightening prospect for Manchester City’s rivals.
Despite Manchester City’s strong start to the season they haven’t had their strongest starting lineup available just yet. After a busy summer of internationals, the champions have had the opportunity to rest players such as John Stones, Kyle Walker, Rodri and Phil Foden. That is a bonus for the world champions.
But the frightening proposition for City’s rivals is that Rodri and Phil Foden haven’t fired a shot this season. Rodri hasn’t gotten on the pitch yet and Phil Foden has only played 45 minutes against Chelsea as a substitute.
When Rodri and Phil Foden return to full fitness Manchester City will have their full selection of weapons to choose from. Given the hectic schedule they face this season they will need all hands on deck throughout the season. To have two crucial players like Rodri and Phil Foden still to make a mark on the 24/25 season is a great sign for Manchester City. It isn’t an exciting proposition to ponder for City’s rivals given how strong Pep Guardiola’s side has started the new season.
