Manchester City seem to have won the league at a canter…
They will start next season as favourites to retain the title, and rightly so. Nonetheless, retaining the title is no easy feat as only two teams have managed to do so in the Premier League era, and those are Manchester United and Chelsea. Out of all the previous title-holders, this Manchester City team has certainly got the best chance of tightening their grip on English football’s prized possession. However, we have undoubtedly witnessed moments during the season where City have looked vulnerable. We’ll take a look at the areas where they may be deficient and make a case for how they can be caught next season.
The thing with Man City is that they’re never under the cosh as much as their competitors. As a result, their defence is rarely exposed. If we look at their back-line in terms of individuals, Kompany is getting old and most of his time is spent on the injury table; Otamendi is always suspect; Stones hasn’t won over Pep; and Laporte’s integration is still a work in progress. Despite these frailties, their defensive record is the best in the league. Another reason for the impressive defensive record is the added protection provided by Fernandinho.
Over the course of the season, the vast majority of teams chose to sit back and let Manchester City come at them. Ultimately, that played into City’s hands as they had become extremely efficient at cutting open deep defences. In certain games, however, we saw the Citizens exposed at the back – particularly by teams who counter-pressed them and won the ball high.
It’s fair to say that if a team can manoeuvre through their midfield and leave the back-four exposed, chances will inevitably come. We saw a prime example of this in City’s FA Cup encounter against Wigan Athletic – as The Latics scored off their only chance of the game through Will Grigg, knocking their opposition out of the competition.
14/01: Liverpool 4-3 Manchester City ✅
04/04: Liverpool 3-0 Manchester City ✅
10/04: Manchester City 1-2 Liverpool ✅Klopp's men beat City for the third time this season as they reach the semi-finals of the Champions League! #MCFCvLFC pic.twitter.com/XN7gZoYzhG
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) April 10, 2018
There have been a few other examples as well, most notably the recent games against Liverpool. It was as if it all followed an uncannily similar pattern, with Liverpool’s attacking assault causing City to crumble in 10 to 20 minutes. In fact, Guardiola’s men conceded three goals to The Reds on two separate occasions – first in the Premier League and then again in the Champions League.
Similarly, another such debacle arose against Manchester United in the derby. City wasted a two-goal advantage against their rivals, shipping three goals due to calamitous defending and eventually losing the game.
The most essential attribute that teams must possess when coming up against City is bravery. Throughout the season, teams facing the Sky Blues accepted defeat before the ball had even been kicked. On the tactical side of things, teams have to nullify the influence of De Bruyne and David Silva to bypass them in midfield and force City’s shape to stretch. This allows the team to keep running at Fernandinho and potentially unsettle the back-line; a seemingly simple plan which has proven difficult to execute.
There’s no doubt Manchester City will start 2018/19 as favourites for the title, but already counting out the league’s other big-hitters isn’t wise. Stranger things have happened in the Premier League – and who knows what lies in store for us next season.