Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City find themselves in uncharted waters, grappling with an alarming slump in form that has jeopardized their prospects of Champions League qualification.
With just five points from their last nine league games, City sits among the league’s worst-performing teams, alongside Leicester City and bottom-placed Southampton, in the current form table. This dismal run leaves Pep Guardiola’s men six points adrift of the coveted top four—a precarious position as the season approaches its midway point.
City’s struggles have been exacerbated by a mounting injury crisis and illnesses within the squad. Heading into their next match against Leicester, Guardiola faces the grim reality of having only three fit senior defenders at his disposal.
Nathan Ake, who was forced off during City’s recent 1-1 draw with Everton, remains doubtful due to an injury. Meanwhile, Kyle Walker is recovering from a virus, and key players Ruben Dias, John Stones, and goalkeeper Ederson are all sidelined.
Such absences have left Guardiola with limited options, particularly in defense, a situation he admitted is one of the most challenging he has faced since taking the reins at City in 2016.
READ ALSO: Trump Requests Supreme Court to Delay TikTok Ban
Despite the setbacks, Guardiola remains resolute in his mission to turn things around. Speaking to reporters ahead of the Leicester clash, the Spaniard expressed his unwavering determination: “Yes, I will try. I will keep going. Sometimes you think it will be earlier or easier to fix it, and other times it takes more time. I will not give up. I want to be here, I want to do it, and with the situation we have, I have to do it.“
Acknowledging the difficulty of their upcoming fixture, Guardiola added, “Now we go to Leicester, a place where it has always been difficult to get good results, and with the players we have available, that is what I will try.”
Since his arrival at City, Guardiola has built a glittering legacy, delivering multiple Premier League titles, domestic cups, and memorable moments that have redefined English football. However, the current crisis represents perhaps the greatest challenge of his tenure.
READ ALSO: Nigeria and China Renew $2 Billion Currency Swap Deal to Boost Bilateral Trade and Investment
Guardiola himself has described this period as “the biggest test” of his reign. Reflecting on the team’s struggles, he remarked, “The biggest test is to come back again – that has already happened, we have done that before. This makes you realize how good it was, what we have done in the past. Sometimes you have injuries. For so many years, we were incredibly consistent. But now, yes, expect a little bit down. The main reason is having so many important players injured.”
Despite the difficulties, Guardiola emphasized the team’s commitment and focus: “I saw the team spirit [against Everton], how we trained, how focused they are, how they try to practice. We saw that but unfortunately couldn’t get the result. Of course, I want it; everyone wants it. I don’t want to disappoint my people – the club, the fans, the people who love this place.”
The draw against Everton was another missed opportunity to close the gap on their rivals, further heightening the sense of urgency as the calendar year draws to a close.
The Leicester fixture on December 29 marks City’s final match of 2024 and represents a crucial juncture in their season. A win could inject much-needed momentum and confidence, while another poor result would deepen the crisis.
Discover more from Cine critique
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.