It has been an appalling few weeks for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s facet are on an unimaginable run of type, having received only one recreation of their final ten outings in all competitions. That victory got here towards Nottingham Forest, a 3-0 win within the Premier League on the Etihad Stadium.
After Wednesday night time’s loss to Juventus, Guardiola’s facet have slipped to 22nd in the Champions League table, and their eight factors place them only one level contained in the playoff zone. They’re actually chopping it high-quality to qualify for the subsequent spherical.
The Cityzens have been arguably let down by a few of their star males this season.
Metropolis’s worst performers in 2024/25
It has definitely been a tricky season for the 2022/23 treble winners, who’re failing to reside as much as the expectations surrounding them after dominating English, and European soccer, for the previous couple of seasons.
Phil Foden is among the gamers who’s struggling this time period. The England worldwide has regarded a shadow of his former self, having won the PFA Player of the Year award for last season.
He has played 17 games in all competitions up to now this time period, scoring three objectives and helping two. His solely objective contribution at house was a objective in a 5-0 thrashing of Sparta Prague.
One other participant who has not carried out nicely this season is new signing Savinho. The Brazilian joined the Cityzens over the summer time for £30.8m from Troyes however has not managed to attain his first objective in Blue but. He has grabbed 5 assists in 20 games throughout competitions, however it has been a disappointing begin to life in East Manchester.
Kyle Walker has been a key element of Metropolis’s success in the previous couple of seasons, however he has had a speedy decline. Though he has played 14 times in all competitions, he has struggled. The Guardian journalist Ben McAleer explained there have been “clear indications of a Walker decline for months”, relationship again to Euro 2024.
It has been unhappy for Metropolis followers to see their star gamers out of shape and their new signings struggling to adapt. Somebody who might slot in each of these classes is Ilkay Gundogan.
Gundogan’s stats in 2024/25
German midfielder Gundogan returned to Manchester Metropolis in the summertime after spending a season away from the membership at La Liga giants Barcelona. He signed a one-year deal with the choice of a second season.
It was definitely an thrilling transfer for the membership, with outgoing Director of Football Txiki Begiristain full of praise for the midfielder. He known as him an “distinctive” footballer, which is greater than honest given what he achieved on the membership in his first spell.
Throughout his first stint as a Cityzen, the previous Borussia Dortmund midfielder played 304 games, scoring 60 objectives and grabbing 38 assists. He performed an important function of their trophy success, capping it off by successful the treble in 2022/23. That season, the German played 51 games, scoring 11 objectives and grabbing eight assists.
Nonetheless, this season the 34-year-old has been a far cry from that type. The Metropolis quantity 19 has performed 21 video games in all competitions, scoring twice and grabbing only one help.
It’s maybe no coincidence that his poor performances have coincided with this lull in type for his staff.
|
Gundogan stats by competitors this season |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Stat |
Premier League |
Champions League |
Carabao Cup |
|
Video games |
14 |
6 |
1 |
|
Minutes |
955 |
375 |
45 |
|
Full 90s |
10.6 |
4.1 |
0.5 |
|
Targets |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Assists |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Stats from Transfermarkt |
|||
Football analyst and City supporter Umir defined earlier within the season that the German can, at instances “look fatigued” and likewise “lacks a little bit of sharpness”. It’s honest to say the Metropolis legend has not left a long-lasting impression on supporters up to now throughout his second spell
Given he’s earning an eye-watering £230k per week on the Etihad Stadium, there may be an argument to say that Metropolis obtained this signing mistaken.
He has not been anyplace close to nearly as good as throughout his first spell, and for the cash they spend on his weekly wage, it’s an costly funding for disappointing performances.
First Impressions
What did pundits and followers alike take into consideration their new star signing after they arrived? Soccer FanCast’s ‘First Impressions’ collection has every part you want.
With Inter Milan reportedly keen to snap him up in 2025, maybe it is likely to be clever for Guardiola and co to chop this second stint quick…
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