Manchester City have not been at their free flowing best so far this season in an attacking sense – specifically in regards to chance creation.
The treble winners have only created 18 clear cut chances in nine Premier League outings this term.
As shown on the Premier League’s official website, seven teams – including Brentford and Everton – have created more big chances.
Now – thanks to The Athletic – sources close to the coaching staff at Manchester City have shared why they think clear cut chances are not being created on a regular basis…
What’s the story?
Well, it is said that injuries and departures are viewed internally as the main reasons for Manchester City’s uncharacteristically poor volume of chance creation.
The Athletic explain how Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez created the most chances for Manchester City respectively last season, with Jack Grealish in third.
De Bruyne has – however – obviously been missing since the opening day win over Burnley due to a serious hamstring injury, while Grealish struggled with a dead leg for weeks.
Mahrez was – of course – sold to Al Ahli, while Ilkay Gundogan, who created the fifth most chances for Manchester City last season, joined Barcelona on a free transfer.
John Stones and Bernardo Silva have also missed extended periods of action this season, and sources close to the Manchester City coaching staff firmly believe these absences have affected the side’s rhythm going forward.
Manchester City are keeping themselves afloat
Even for a side like Manchester City, who have quality depth in every area, it is difficult to cope when key men such as Stones, De Bruyne, Silva and Grealish have missed chunks of the season.
Naturally, the volume of chance creation was always going to decrease in the first third of this campaign.
However, Pep Guardiola now has all of those options back – aside from De Bruyne – and with the likes of Jeremy Doku now shining, we would expect to see the formidable Manchester City of last season return very soon.
