Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted that his star-studded squad are at risk of not qualifying for next season's Champions League - at least as things stand - amid their torrid run.
The Blues went into this season as overwhelming favourites to win the Premier League title for a fifth consecutive year. However, their form since losing talisman Rodri to injury has been catastrophic.
Incredibly, City have won just one of their last 12 games in all competitions and they sit four points outside the top four, as well as six behind Arsenal and eight behind Chelsea. Guardiola's side host Everton in the early kick-off in the Premier League on Boxing Day and, ahead of that 12.30pm fixture, the Catalan has warned his team that Champions League qualification is hanging by a thread.
"When I said before, people laughed," he explained. "They said; 'Qualifying for the Champions League is not a big success'. But I know it, because it happens with clubs in this country.
"They were dominant for many years and after they were many years not qualifying for the Champions League.
"The one team that has been in the Champions League for the past years has been Manchester City. Now we're at risk, of course we are. Definitely."
Chelsea have not made it to the Champions League since the 2022/2023 season while Arsenal spent several years outside the top four until Mikel Arteta arrived and pushed the club back into the elite European competition. Enzo Maresca's team return to Premier League action today when they host local rivals Fulham with the Gunners having to wait until tomorrow when they face Ipswich Town.