By RYAN WALKER
Published: 04:22 EST, 17 December 2024 | Updated: 04:23 EST, 17 December 2024
Thierry Henry believes Pep Guardiola should be 'challenged' over his decision to let Cole Palmer and two other attackers leave Manchester City amid the club's current dismal run.
City's late collapse in Sunday's derby against rivals Man United was another landmark low for Guardiola and his reigning champions with it now being eight defeats in their last 12 games.
Guardiola's worst career spell has coincided with City struggling to break down opposition defences as they have done so easily over the years and questions have been raised over the lack of attackers in the team capable of finding the back of the net.
Erling Haaland is tied with Mohamed Salah the top of the Premier League goalscoring charts on 13 strikes after starring during the early parts of the season with 10 goals in the opening five matches, however has only scored once in his past five appearances.
The Norwegian has been involved in exactly 50 per cent of City's 28 league strikes this season but is acting as the club's only recognised striker after Julian Alvarez left in the summer.
Alvarez would typically replace Haaland when the two-time Premier League golden boot winner began to fade in games but opted to leave for Atletico Madrid in search of more regular starting opportunities.
Thierry Henry believes Pep Guardiola should be 'challenged' over his decision to let goalscorers leave the club
Erling Haaland has 13 goals this season but has only scored once in his past five appearances.
Henry raised questions over Cole Palmer being allowed to leave Man City for Chelsea last season
Meanwhile, Palmer has become the crown jewel at Chelsea since City let the academy graduate leave in a £42.5m deal at the start of last season and has emerged as one of Europe's best talents with 36 goals and 21 assists in 63 appearances for the Blues.
Arsenal legend Henry - who was previously coached by Guardiola at Barcelona - believes the City boss can turn things around but questioned why Alvarez, Palmer, and Riyad Mahrez were allowed to leave the club.
'We all know, it's the first time and we're allowed to say it, that we can challenge his decisions in the way of letting Cole Palmer go, Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez,' he told Sky Sports.
'Ilkay Gundogan came back and it's not the same Gundogan who scored 17 goals a season.
'You're missing those goals. Erling Haaland is scoring the same goals, a few less than in his first season but he's doing what he does usually.
'I've seen him miss sitters in every season but where are the goals of Mahrez, Alvarez or Kevin De Bruyne, Gundogan - where are those goals?,' he added.
The glaring issue in City's attack is further compounded by the fact that they are currently on track to endure their worst-ever goalscoring season during Guardiola's reign.
They have managed just 28 goals in 16 Premier League outings this season and projections currently expect City to finish with under 70 goals.
Former back-up striker Julian Alvarez left City in the summer to gain more starting opportunities elsewhere
Former winger Riyad Mahrez now plays for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli after leaving City last year
Henry backed Guardiola to fix City's problems but questioned the club's recent recruitment
Their worst season to date under the Spaniard came when they found the back of the net just 80 times in the 2016/17 season which was Guardiola's first at the club.
Jeremy Doku and Savinho were expected to improve City's attacking output since moving to the club but have joined the likes of Jack Grealish in failing to make any significant goal contribution this season.
Brazilian star Savinho in particular has endured a dreadful start to life in England with the 20-year-old still yet to score in 21 appearances for City.
Guardiola is expected to instruct club chiefs to spend in January transfer market as he looks to find a way out of the current chaos encapsulating City that has left their title defence in tatters.