The best way to judge a team’s pre-season campaign is not by assessing how many games they won.
Ultimately, teams such as Manchester City often do not have some of their best players available to play and as a result, their results do not make for good reading.
Such was the case with Pep Guardiola’s side, who lost to Celtic, AC Milan and Barcelona before beating Chelsea and on the surface, perhaps some might feel that their results were a cause for concern.
However, the £387,846-a-week manager could perhaps find solace in various other aspects from his side’s preparation ahead of the 2024/2025 season.
For instance, his squad’s general fitness levels, their desire to win silverware once again, the bright performances of certain players and how certain tactical ideas worked against top sides.
Furthermore, Guardiola would not like to approach Manchester City’s upcoming contest against Manchester United in the FA Community Shield with an air of negativity surrounding the dressing room.
Especially considering the number of young players who were involved during City’s pre-season tour of the US.
The Sky Blues certainly have plenty of positive takeaways from their time playing in front of their loyal fanbase in the United States.
Erling Haaland looks ready to have a season similar to his debut Man City campaign
Pep Guardiola would certainly be delighted to witness Erling Haaland look sharp as a tack during pre-season.
It seems like Haaland’s summer break due to Norway’s failure to qualify for the European Championship has emerged as a blessing in disguise for him as he looks fit and ready to win his third successive Premier League Golden Boot.
The 24-year-old looked as well-rounded as he has ever been during pre-season — as facets of his game such as his hold-up play, first touch and ability to bring others into play were first-class in the United States.
Often, the Norwegian international has been slated for perhaps being sloppy in possession and struggling to impact games where he is not fed with goalscoring opportunities but in pre-season, he seemed as dangerous as ever even when he was yet to find the back of the net.
Against AC Milan, the two-time Premier League winner’s dominant hold-up play and tidy touches stood out in particular.
Unlike last season where Haaland’s finishing was slightly inconsistent at times, he seems to have returned to his clinical best.
For instance, in Manchester City’s latest 4-2 victory against Chelsea, the Leeds-born striker scored a hat-trick from the three three shots he took on target.
Similarly, against AC Milan, the former Borussia Dortmund frontman scored a goal from two of his shots on target.
With how lethal Haaland looks like in front of goal coupled with his improving overall game, he could have a season similar to his debut campaign at the Etihad Stadium where he was virtually unstoppable.
Oscar Bobb could become a starter next season based on pre-season form
Joleon Lescott claimed Oscar Bobb was Manchester City’s “standout performer” in pre-season.
It is difficult to argue with Lescott’s claim about Bobb, who could become a starter for City next season if he carries his form in the United States into the 2024/2025 campaign.
Even before Manchester City beat Chelsea, where the Norwegian gave Malo Gusto a tough time, he made his mark in his side’s losses against Celtic, AC Milan and Barcelona.
In pre-season, Bobb has seemed like the kind of winger that Pep Guardiola would perhaps consider his dream profile of wide player; one who is capable of skinning his full-back, providing goals and assists in the final third and retaining the ball effectively as well — traits that are difficult to find all in one winger.
With the likes of Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Savinho not partaking during the club’s pre-season tour, it seems like the 21-year-old could start in the first few games in the Premier League.
So far, the youngster has grabbed every chance he has got in the first-team with both hands.
If Bobb manages to remain as seemingly fearless as he has always come across while managing to apply himself, it would be unwise not to back him to at least have a chance of becoming a regular starter.
Rico Lewis should be trusted as a starting right-back much more now
Rico Lewis was quietly excellent in a Manchester City shirt during pre-season despite typically not grabbing the headlines.
Lewis’ showings against AC Milan in the second-half as well as against Barcelona in particular were an indicator that it is high-time he is trusted as a starting right-back far more.
When tasked to drop into midfield, the 19-year-old was seamlessly able to while also driving into central areas with the ball and setting his teammates up to impact proceedings in dangerous zones in the final third.
But Lewis also showcased once again in such outings that he is also a threat when deployed as a traditional right-back due to his tendency to beat defenders using his quick feet and knack of bypassing the opposition press by combining with his teammates.
Kyle Walker, whose form is declining as it is does not offer the same comfortability in possession and danger when bursting forward.
As for Manuel Akanji, while he is a terrific makeshift right-back, he missed pre-season which could mean he gets a look-in as a starter a few games down the line.
Lewis’ innate ability to help City play better as a unit due to his tendency to add a sense of control and fluidity to their performances in possession, his threat as both a traditional and an inverted right-back and his tactical intelligence; aspects that were evident in pre-season once again are reasons why he should be started much more in the upcoming campaign.
Kalvin Phillips finally looks at home in a Man City shirt at centre-back
In back-to-back outings against Barcelona and Chelsea, Kalvin Phillips was deployed as a centre-back.
Surprisingly, perhaps to onlookers who are accustomed to the Englishman played as a defensive midfielder, he looked at home out of position.
Unlike in the centre of midfield where Phillips has struggled at City, primarily due to getting dispossessed amidst the hustle and bustle in the busiest area of the pitch — at centre-back, he had all the time in the world to get on the ball.
Considering the former Leeds United hero has always been a brilliant long-range passer, he had enough time to spray passes to the likes of Jack Grealish and Oscar Bobb.
Defensively as well, Phillips fared well, despite facing top forwards like Robert Lewandowski and Christopher Nkunku.
In the middle of the park, the 28-year-old often has to run backwards and chase after opponents; an aspect of his game that has been exploited by opponents — perhaps due to his lack of match-fitness since signing for Manchester City.
But at centre-back, Phillips is not tasked with covering as much ground — a responsibility he has seemingly relished and crunched into making timely challenges and interceptions.
The England international finally looks at home in a Manchester City shirt but whether his impressive showings in pre-season would convince Pep Guardiola to give him a shot as one of his central defensive options next seasons remains the question.
