Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City Revolution Is Only Just Beginning

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City revolution is going to take time.

There were signs during their 2-1 win over Sunderland on the opening day of the new Premier League season on Saturday that his ideas are beginning to take hold.

City pressed superbly in the first half and were winning the ball back quickly after losing it. Their players were operating in multiple roles and switching fluidly with one another. Tactically, this was far more detailed and intricate than anything we’ve seen from City before.

But there were also some teething problems. They saw plenty of the ball, as you would expect from a Guardiola side, but much of their possession was sterile, with City struggling to create the kind of clear-cut chances they would have liked. From 77 percent possession they mustered just four shots on target. That won’t be good enough against the Premier League’s elite sides, let alone the best in Europe.

They beat Sunderland 2-1 thanks to a late Paddy McNair own goal—but should have been out of sight long before the former United defender nodded into his own net.

But this was never going to be easy. Guardiola has inherited a side that limped to a fourth-place finish last season under Manuel Pellegrini and were beginning to look completely out of ideas. The players had become bored of the Chilean’s reign and new direction was needed. The squad was unbalanced, tired-looking and disjointed. Big changes were necessary.

Moyes: “Guardiola’s a sensationally good manager. He’s proved that with his trophies. He needs time and it won’t be easy for him in the PL.”

— Rob (@RobPollard_) August 13, 2016

Guardiola has spent close to £150 million this summer in an attempt to breathe new life into the ailing squad, but the only new boys available to him for this match were John Stones and Nolito.

Leroy Sane has a hamstring problem and needs a few days to be considered for action. Gabriel Jesus won’t join until January after his involvement in Palmeiras’ league season is over. Ilkay Gundogan’s dislocated kneecap will need further time to mend and Marlos Moreno has gone out on loan.

With Vincent Kompany also on the sidelines recovering from injury, it’s clear City will get stronger in the coming weeks when their pool of talent is at its best.

The big pre-match talking point was Guardiola’s decision to start Willy Caballero ahead of Joe Hart in the City goal; a clear sign the England No. 1’s position at the club is far from secure in this new era at the club.

There has been speculation throughout the summer about a new goalkeeper being sought, one comfortable with the ball at his …

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