Manchester City have had to deal with various setbacks throughout their 2024/25 season.
From an injury perspective, City have seen numerous figures from their squad miss matches due to fitness problems.
In fact, perhaps their biggest injury blow of the season so far was when Rodri suffered a season-ending knee issue back in September during the champions’ 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.
More recent weeks have seen Pep Guardiola’s side lose and draw one of their seven previous matches across all competitions.
Jamie Carragher called City’s form a “mini-crisis” after seeing the Blues lose 2-0 to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
Now though, another pundit has shared his thoughts on what’s going wrong at the Manchester club at the moment, pointing the finger of blame elsewhere and away from the absence of Rodri.
Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, gives his side instructions during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hot...
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Micah Richards addresses big Man City issue
While reflecting on City’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool and their recent form in general, Micah Richards said this on a recent episode of The Rest Is Football when asked if the Manchester club’s dominance in the Premier League is beginning to wane.
He said: “I think they have been rumbled, certainly. I think it was the Bournemouth game. They were rumbled where they really did just attack them, Brighton as well. Obviously expect it from Liverpool because they’re a top side in good form.
“The only excuse, and I have to give them a little bit of excuse, and it’s not just Rodri, I think when you look at Man City, there are loads of players out of form.
“There’s only really [Erling] Haaland scoring goals, and he’s not in the greatest form in terms of he’s still missing a few chances. But I do think teams are figuring them out, certainly, and taking more risks.
“I think it’s probably over for their charge for the title.”
Everyone at City needs to step up
In front of goal, ahead of City’s Premier League match against Nottingham Forest, the Blues have registered more shots at goal (242) and shots on target (79) than any other side in the division.
However, 10 top-flight sides have a better goals-per-shot ratio than City, which highlights how they need to be more clinical in front of goal.
In addition to that, six clubs have made more goal-creating actions than Guardiola’s side (37), who also have just eight clubs that have seen more goal-creating actions played against them this season.
This backs up Richards’ point about opposition sides potentially figuring out how to play against City effectively and how they are now taking more risks against them.
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