While it is still early days into the 2024/2025 season, some Manchester City players have not played at their best so far.
Considering Manchester City are in second place in the Premier League table, on the basis of their results, it is hard to be too critical of their performances.
However, Pep Guardiola will not just be looking at City’s results over the international break.
Guardiola will likely be paying careful consideration to how Manchester City and their players have played as a whole.
The £378,846-a-week manager would be paying heed to his players’ respective displays to form the tactical blueprint for his side going forward.
So far, there have been some Manchester City players that have started the season quite slowly.
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Kyle Walker is having a nightmare start to the season for Man City
Kyle Walker would be frustrated with how he has fared this campaign.
Matt Le Tissier described Walker as “bang average” at Euro 2024 for England.
After a difficult tournament for the £50 million defender where he was one of the Three Lions’ weak links, he would have been determined to silence his critics in a Manchester City shirt this campaign.
However, Walker’s performances have flattered to deceive — as he has struggled in various different ways at the back for City this season.
Against Arsenal, the 34-year-old’s set-piece defending was called into question after Gabriel Magalhaes left him for dead before heading in Bukayo Saka’s corner.
In Manchester City’s 1-1 draw against Newcastle United, Walker’s positional sense was worrying to see as he stayed static instead of pushing forward to set an offside trap for Anthony Gordon — who subsequently won and scored a penalty for Eddie Howe’s side.
During the Sky Blues’ latest 3-2 victory against Fulham, it seems like clear signs of the veteran’s declining pace were exposed after Adama Traore left him for dead before fluffing his lines.
Walker has simply made far too many individual errors this season and unless he remedies his mistakes at the back, he could be at risk of losing his place in the side.
Bernardo Silva is really struggling for form wherever he plays
Bernardo Silva is another Manchester City icon who has had a tough start to the season.
The Portuguese international’s only bright display emerged during City’s 3-1 win against West Ham United.
It was no coincidence that Bernardo fared well during the game as quite often, he was asked to play in a double pivot alongside Mateo Kovacic and orchestrate proceedings; a role where he arguably had his finest season in a City shirt during the 2021/2022 campaign.
However, Pep Guardiola has once again relied on his utility man to play in a number of different positions this campaign.
Bernardo has largely played as an attacking midfielder and on the right-wing this season where he has failed to offer much creativity, directness and threat as a whole.
It seems like the six-time Premier League winner is merely in the side to keep the ball and press opposition; rendering him ineffective in such dangerous positions and making City less potent as a side.
However, if Pep Guardiola persists with playing Bernardo further forward, he will have to step up his game.
Jeremy Doku is having a perplexing season
On one hand, Jeremy Doku’s belter of a strike against Fulham as well as the way he picked Phil Foden out for his opening goal against Slovan Bratislava have emerged as positive signs.
But Doku’s ineffective displays against the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham United have indicated that he might still not be ready to be a consistent starter for City.
Considering the Belgian is still 22 years old, Manchester City supporters should remain patient with a young player like him whose potential is undeniable.
But unless Doku can remain a consistent threat and polish his game in the final third, Pep Guardiola will fancy starting Jack Grealish against several of the top teams like last season.
It has been telling that the former Rennes winger has come off the bench in his last two games and perhaps Guardiola already feels Grealish is his first-choice left-winger currently.
