Marc Leder and I have watched this year’s Premier League with big smiles on our faces, as the only Liverpool fans in our town, watching our brilliant team on the way to lifting the Premier League title. In truth this year, despite being our first Premier League, feels a bad flat because there has been almost no competition, not even Manchester City. Marc and I were talking about this the other day, as to what City can do to get back on top.
Until we know more about it, we are going to completely ignore the fact that City may well be banned from the Champions League and punished by the Premier League.
Defenders
It has become very clear this season that Manchester City do not have defenders who are good enough to help them to achieve all that they would like, and that is something that needs to be addressed. Now many may point to the fact that Laporte was out for the majority of the season but let’s not pretend he was playing like Bobby Moore, he was good of course, but there are many more frailties in that defense to be found. John Stones doesn’t look up to the task, Fernandinho is almost 35 years old and Otamendi is slow and getting on. This is where City will need to spend the big bucks.
Striker
It is very clear that Sergio Aguero is coming to the end of his career and whilst he still has a great deal to offer City, he is picking up more injuries than ever before, and just can’t play the same number of minutes as he used to. Unfortunately for Man City, Gabriel Jesus does not look good enough to be the man to step in and fill those shoes, so City are going to have go back into the market and look for a striker who can deliver.
Rotation
When you have the wealth of talent that Guardiola does it must be difficult to select teams, but he has got to show some level of consistency with who he is picking week in and week out. Riyad Mahrez has been incredible this season, contributing key goals and assists. Unfortunately for the Algerian, he is starting most games on the bench, coming on as a sub and creating magic. Pep has to get his best 11 and stick with it for as long as he can.
Sterling Shooting
Whether it comes down to ability or confidence I am not sure but Guardiola seriously needs to look at Raheem Sterling’s shooting ability. He has missed so many easy chances this season and those chances mean points. To have someone with the ability that Raheem has and not having him scoring at least 20 a season is criminal and must be addressed as quickly as possible.
I believe that if City do this, they are going to be challenging once again next year.
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