Pep Guardiola knew heading into the new season that Manchester City would face a tough start.
“We will arrive late, not just against Manchester United [in the Community Shield], but also against Chelsea and Ipswich,” Guardiola admitted. “We will be late. It’s about trying not to drop many points, trying to compete well. We don’t have players because they need rest.”
City, under Guardiola, have always prioritized giving their players sufficient rest between campaigns. Most of the team that powered City to a fourth consecutive Premier League title had gone deep in the European Championship, with Rodri’s Spain taking the trophy, and four City players on the losing England side. Guardiola knew he’d be without key players like Rodri and Phil Foden at the start of the season.
While it was clear who City would be missing, it wasn’t immediately obvious who could step up in their place. Erling Haaland was eager to get going after a restful summer, as Norway missed out on the Euros. The early exits of Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic also allowed Guardiola to lean on them. Jack Grealish, dealing with his own disappointment after missing England’s squad, was given a key role, and Rico Lewis was challenged to claim a regular starting spot, having fallen behind Kyle Walker in the second half of last season.
Both Grealish and Lewis responded impressively. Their performances for City earned them spots in the England squad once again. While players like Walker and Foden haven’t yet hit top form, Guardiola’s decision to rely on the players with the most energy has paid off. Though Liverpool sit at the top of the league after seven games, City are just one point behind, despite facing tough opposition like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Newcastle.
As the season progresses, and with Rodri out for the year, City’s England stars are in a better position to make an impact—now joined by Grealish and Lewis, who are performing at a high level. The two will be hoping to start when City resume their campaign against Wolves.
For now, Guardiola’s sole focus is on leading City to their fifth straight title, though there may come a time when his tactical genius benefits the England national team.
