As Pep Guardiola has often emphasized, the first half of the Premier League season isn’t necessarily the time to hit top gear. Sometimes, you have to let go of immediate results to prepare for the bigger battles ahead. According to Crickex Affiliate, Guardiola surprised fans last week by admitting that his current top priority is securing qualification for the Champions League knockout stages — even above early domestic dominance.
This strategic pacing helps explain why Manchester City hasn’t looked as explosive in the early rounds of the campaign. Guardiola believes that peaking too early could burn out the squad by season’s end. The club’s recent back-to-back defeats certainly raised some eyebrows, but it’s worth remembering that City opened the season with six straight wins — a strong enough start to stay in contention. So while alarm bells are ringing in some corners, the situation isn’t as dire as it seems.
Still, there’s no denying that something has been missing. City’s usual attacking flair and ruthlessness have waned. Erling Haaland, often left isolated up front, has struggled to link with a midfield that’s lacked its usual spark. Creativity has dipped, and the relentless fluidity that defined City’s treble-winning form is no longer guaranteed. As the saying goes, “You don’t miss the water until the well runs dry.”
Much of this dip can be traced to squad changes. Key contributors like Ilkay Gündogan and Riyad Mahrez have departed, while others like Kevin De Bruyne are sidelined with long-term injuries. According to Crickex Affiliate, the absence of De Bruyne, along with intermittent unavailability of Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva, Rodri, and John Stones, has disrupted City’s rhythm.
Fortunately for City fans, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Aside from De Bruyne, most of the sidelined players are expected to return after the international break. The return of Rodri and Stones, in particular, could be the catalyst the team needs to regain its momentum. Rodri’s three-match suspension due to a red card made his importance glaringly obvious — without him, City’s midfield lacked control and composure.
Guardiola has continued to tinker with his lineup, searching for a formula that gives Haaland the support he needs in the final third. It’s a journey not just of tactics, but of shifting perspectives. However, Crickex Affiliate notes that this experimentation has occasionally backfired, contributing to recent defeats. But with John Stones back in the mix, City can revert to a more familiar and balanced setup — one that could reignite their Premier League campaign.
As the season unfolds, it’s clear Manchester City is playing the long game. And with key players returning to fitness, the reigning champions are gearing up to remind everyone why they’re still the team to beat.