Manchester City beat Leicester 2-0 to put to an end their run of one win in 13 games, but there were clear signs that Pep Guardiola’s squad are beginning to show their age
Manchester City beat Leicester 2-0 to put to an end their run of one win in 13 games, but there were clear signs that Pep Guardiola’s squad are beginning to show their age Manchester City beat Leicester 2-0 to put to an end their run of one win in 13 games, but there were clear signs that Pep Guardiola’s squad are beginning to show their age
Game number 500 in charge of Manchester City, win number 355, and one that will mean as much to Pep Guardiola as most in that monumental tally of victories.
Sealed by the sort of trademark Erling Haaland header that has been notable by its recent absence, this was strictly about the performance rather than the points. And Guardiola’s men probably just about deserved what was only their second win in 14 matches.
But privately, Guardiola will know that this is a City side that bears only a passing resemblance to the ones that brought Guardiola the remarkable collection of trophies during his 500-match tenure. And while Pep’s genius is taken for granted, it is hard to see how he can fully rejuvenate a group that appears to have lost a collective half-yard of pace.
Perhaps he could start by putting more trust in 22-year-old James McAtee, whose involvement in Manchester City’s second goal was sublime. This is what Pep and his champions need. An injection of youthful vigour.
Kevin de Bruyne played a part in both goals and there are plenty of moments when he reminds you he is a class act, his first-time pass to Phil Foden in the build-up to Savinho’s opener being one of them. But those moments are occurring less frequently.
And that is probably down to a physical issue, De Bruyne’s body feeling the effects of so many seasons of success. To be at the top for that long takes a physical and mental toll.
The same applies to the likes of Bernardo Silva, possibly one of the most indefatigable players the Premier League has seen. The Portuguese midfielder is now distinctly defatigable.
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De Bruyne and Silva, for so long, were reliable sources of creativity but their energy has diminished. But it is a measure of how off-colour Foden has been this season that he was the one to make way for McAtee. Pointedly, Guardiola remained in his seat as Foden dawdled off.
And soon after, Guardiola sent on Kyle Walker to, presumably, try and stem the succession of Leicester chances coming via the visitors’ right flank. Of the many things that have alarmed Guardiola during the slump, defensive vulnerability must be top of the bill.
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And Jamie Vardy really should have put Leicester level before Haaland benefited from a move that was started brilliantly by McAtee, continued stylishly by De Bruyne and Savinho, and finished emphatically by the Norwegian.
Oddly, Guardiola spent as much post-match time talking to Leicester players as he did talking to his own players. But he did find time for a bear-hug with McAtee and rightly so, because now is the time for Pep to show this young talent a lot more love.
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