Alan Shearer gives his verdict on Man City’s struggles – as he pinpoints reason for the dramatic decline of Pep Guardiola’s side
Alan Shearer has discussed Manchester City’s problems under Pep Guardiola this season and explained where he thinks things are going wrong.
Guardiola’s side, who have won four Premier League titles in a row, have suffered a dramatic collapse in form in recent months, winning just one of their past 10 games in all competitions.
This leaves them eight points behind in the title race as they battle to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League following Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat to Juventus.
City’s torrid run has seen them lose twice to Brighton, Bournemouth, Liverpool and Tottenham, with the reigning top-flight champions looking a shadow of their former selves, while several key players also struggled badly for form.
City also crashed out of the Carabao Cup and could face a trophyless season for the first time since 2016/17.
Many have attributed their struggles to Rodri’s season-ending injury, but given the dramatic nature of their dip Honestly Ambassador Shearer felt there was a bigger reason, although he admitted City still have every chance to get back to their best and make something of this campaign.
Alan Shearer has given his verdict on Manchester City’s struggles in recent months
Pep Guardiola’s team has suffered a dramatic dip in form and has won one of its last ten games
Betfair ambassador Shearer felt City lacked ‘legs’ and ‘energy’ in midfield
“I think it would be very dangerous to write them off completely because of who and what they are,” he told Mail Sport exclusively, on behalf of Honestly.
‘But it is clearly more than a Rodri problem. What was impressive was how tough they made it for the opposition in terms of their energy and shutting people down, but they seem to have lost that, especially in midfield.
“You also have Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne, who probably all did their best.
‘They are still very good players, but in terms of legs they probably lack the legs that City had 18 months ago.’
The recent spell has undoubtedly been the most difficult of Guardiola’s trophy-laden managerial career and the Spaniard has shown signs of the pressure getting to him.
After a 3-3 draw with Feyenoord in the Champions League last month – when City threw away a 3-0 lead – he appeared at his post-match press conference with cuts and scratches on his face, while also giving a rather bizarre interview after the City’s draw against Crystal Palace last week when discussing Rico Lewis’ red card.
However, Shearer believed Guardiola’s behavior was natural to that of a manager looking for results, although he admitted the whole situation will have come as a shock to fans, players and the Spaniard himself.
“He’s human,” Shearer added. “He certainly has a taste of what 99 percent of managers go through in terms of ups and downs and disappointments.
Shearer felt several City players, such as Ilkay Gundogan, were perhaps past their best days
Shearer also claimed that Guardiola’s behavior is natural to that of a manager looking for wins
‘He won’t sleep at night, he’ll be in a lot of pain, he’ll get tense and nervous, but wouldn’t we all do that if we didn’t win?
‘It’s just normal. It’s hard work at the moment and we’re not used to seeing him and his team perform like that and he’s not used to it.
“It’s very different from what he’s always had and it feels like it won’t go away for a week or two.”
As for Guardiola’s solution to the various problems facing his side, there is increasing speculation that City will enter the transfer market in January in an attempt to reverse their troubles.
And for Shearer, he felt like this was the natural move. “I think in January they would look at the options available and see what they can improve,” he added.
But I think even if they were at the top of the league, they would. They may need reinforcements and Rodri hasn’t been back for a while, so maybe that’s a position they want to strengthen in.”
City are back in action on Sunday afternoon when they host arch-rivals United in a highly anticipated Manchester derby.
Don’t miss Alan Shearer vs. Rachael Blackmore Betfair’s Christmas Quizzing… Only Bettor, streamed live on Friday December 20.