After a slow start to this season, Manchester City now find themselves in a good position to launch into this season. Pep Guardiola’s side currently sits second in the Premier League. They have also made the semi-final stage of the Carabao Cup where they’ll face Newcastle. City are also in an ideal position in the Champions League to secure a crucial top-eight finish in the Champions League. While Pep Guardiola’s side is well placed to launch into the second half of this season, there is plenty of room for improvement in Manchester City’s play which is an exciting thought to consider.
Pep Guardiola is happy with where his Manchester City team sit but he knows they must improve.
Speaking with the media yesterday, Pep Guardiola admitted that there is still plenty of room for improvement with his Manchester City despite where they currently sit. He explained yesterday: “*When I see Brentford, one detail we have to improve because there are things that happened last month where we talk and be better, that makes me happy.*”
“*We are scoring more goals. Before it was just Erling and now we have more and players and have more assists up front. We were losing long balls all the time and now we are winning more second balls.*“
“*Still the buildup is still not really good and we can play better, have more courage to play and there are more details that still we have to work on.*“
“*Defensively not aggressive enough not doing perfect what we are working and talking. No complaining or regret, reason why we still manage to do it better. When it happens we’ll be close.*“
In an interview published in the Manchester Evening News, Erling Haaland has also spoken of his team’s need to keep improving. Speaking on Manchester City’s need to keep improving, Haaland said: “*We’re in a good moment and we had a good week. But for us, it’s always about consistency. We know we still have a lot to improve and that has to be the focus. When you play for Manchester City there are no excuses — you have to win and you have to fight for trophies. That’s what we’re here for and that’s what we push each other to do every day.*”
Manchester City are in a good position but there is plenty of room for improvement
The areas where Manchester City’s play can improve are easy to spot.
Despite Manchester City being well placed to launch into a critical phase, and the second half, of this season, Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland’s assessment of Manchester City’s need to improve is spot on. It is also easy to spot which areas of Manchester City’s play can improve.
First of all, Manchester City’s high press hasn’t quite clicked this season. With so many new players playing up front, this isn’t a surprise. But watching City play you can see that teams have had joy playing through Manchester City’s press. If this area of City’s play improves, there is no reason to suggest it won’t, Pep Guardiola’s side will instantly become a more formidable proposition. That is one area of improvement in Manchester City’s play that is easy to identify.
The other area that immediately stands out is that Manchester City aren’t controlling matches with their possession play like expected. This City side isn’t built to control matches like previous Manchester City sides. But Pep Guardiola will not change his principles. We have seen games this season where City haven’t dominated possession and have relied on their strength on the counter to decide matches. Playing on the counter is a strength of this City side. But if they add more control to their play you can see how they’d be a more dangerous proposition. That is another easily identifiable area of Manchester City’s play that can be improved.
Summary.
Manchester City have built a solid foundation to launch into a crucial stage of this season. But as Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland have pointed out, there is still plenty of room for improvement in this City squad. If and when that improvement comes this City side will be a more dangerous opponent. Considering how well placed they are at this stage of the 25/26 season, that is a scary thought for Manchester City’s rivals.