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Why Manchester City Under Pep Guardiola Won’t Collapse Like Last Season
- Updated: September 20, 2016
In mid-September 2015, Manchester City went to Crystal Palace and won 1-0 thanks a last-gasp goal from substitute Kelechi Iheanacho. It maintained their 100 per cent start to the season. Five wins from five games, no goals conceded and a goal difference of plus-11.
Experts were lining up to declare City as Premier League champions already, and given the quality of their displays, those assertions didn’t feel misplaced. They had completely outplayed their five opponents and looked comfortably the league’s superior side.
However, whereas that game at Selhurst Park was the launchpad for Iheanacho’s now-burgeoning career, it signalled the start of City’s decline. Manuel Pellegrini could not maintain his side’s start.
By February it was announced that the Chilean would leave at the end of the season, and eventually City limped into fourth place, just ahead of a dishevelled Manchester United. A season that promised so much ended in disappointment.
The similarities between the start City made then and the one they have made this season are stark. Once again they have the full 15 points from 15, and a goal difference of plus-11; they are also the most dominant side in the division once more, playing the best football and looking secure defensively.
Like 12 months ago, pundits are declaring City champions-elect.
Pep Guardiola is the 2nd manager to win his opening 5 PL games (other was Carlo Ancelotti who won his opening 6) #PL pic.twitter.com/uoJPT1i2dZ
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) September 17, 2016
Thierry Henry this week joined the growing band of pundits to declare City title favourites.
“They will keep getting better, it will take something special to stop them being champions,” he told Sky Sports’ Super Sunday. “They destroyed Bournemouth and if it wasn’t for the mistake of Claudio Bravo against Manchester United they might have had a better second half and the score would have been heavier.”
So what is different about Pep Guardiola’s side? What will make his City stay the course in a way that Pellegrini’s squad couldn’t manage?
Most obviously, their squad now has more strength in depth. Txiki Begiristain, the club’s sporting director—buoyed by Guardiola’s pulling power—has spent big and added options to City’s squad.
The signing of John Stones and the improvement shown by Nicolas Otamendi have gone some way to solving their defensive issues. Ilkay Gundogan, a superb acquisition who cost just £21 million, will revolutionise City’s midfield in time. Leroy Sane and Nolito bring pace and guile, and Gabriel Jesus, when he arrives …
