Manchester City have endured a difficult 2023/24 campaign so far after the highs of the 2022/23 season.
Pep Guardiola has watched his previously formidable treble winners wobble somewhat – currently sitting fourth in the Premier League after one win in six outings.
Of course, the departures of key men such as Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez were always going to hurt.
However, there are three Manchester City players who must improve in 2024 to help the Citizens get back on track…
Three Manchester City players who must improve in 2024
Well, nobody has been a complete disaster this season, although Guardiola is a perfectionist who will surely want more from these three players.
Josko Gvardiol
We hate to include Josko Gvardiol on this list.
The Croatia international is just 21 years of age, is surely feeling weighed down by his enormous £77.6m price tag, and has been playing out of position at left-back in a new country.
However, the Etihad Stadium is no place for excuses, and the Manchester City No.24 needs to show a bit more than he has already this season.
Jamie Carragher feels Gvardiol has struggled – while Gary Neville even thinks Aymeric Laporte is a better player.
Therefore, the Croatian still has much to prove.
Ruben Dias
Again, it almost feels harsh to put Ruben Dias on this list – although the Portugal international has made a rod for his own back by starting his Manchester City career in such an imperious manner.
The Manchester City No.3 has looked a bit erratic in recent weeks, specifically during that 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge, where he was all over the place.
Of course, the absence of John Stones has made life harder for Dias, but the 26-year-old is certainly capable of more in the second half of the season.
Mateo Kovacic
In addition to Gvardiol and Dias, Mateo Kovacic is another player who must step up in 2024.
The Croatian’s playing time may take a hit when Kevin De Bruyne returns, although Guardiola still needs someone to step in and ease the Belgian’s workload after that serious hamstring injury.
In his performances so far this season, Kovacic has looked neat in possession, but almost appears to be afraid of putting the ball at risk and incurring the wrath of Guardiola – a consequence of this is a lack of through balls into the forwards.
Hopefully, 2024 will see a more adventurous Kovacic at Manchester City.
