A few weeks ago at a press conference in New York’s Yankee Stadium, Pep Guardiola made it clear that Manchester City would face delays in their season preparations. “We will arrive late, not just against Manchester United, but against Chelsea and Ipswich too,” he warned, explaining that his players needed rest over the summer. “Otherwise, they will die,” he added, highlighting the strain of their demanding schedule.
Guardiola voiced his frustration over the lack of tactical preparation during pre-season, as many of his players were unavailable. He had hoped to test Rico Lewis in midfield, but instead, had to use him in defense. To make matters worse, Oscar Bobb, who had been a standout performer during the tour, was ruled out for the season just before City’s Community Shield victory.
Despite this, Guardiola seemed resigned to the situation, treating the early season as an extended pre-season while gradually reintegrating his full squad. Surprisingly, City has managed to secure three wins and a trophy, including a victory over Manchester United. “Everybody is a bit surprised with the way we’re playing,” Kevin De Bruyne admitted after their latest win at West Ham. He added, “A lot of the guys came late. I can’t really explain it, but we’re playing good football.” Guardiola also expressed surprise at how well the team was performing.
City’s success is partly due to the continuity within the squad. Even new signing Ilkay Gundogan is familiar with Guardiola’s tactics, having spent seven years under his management. Meanwhile, the only true newcomer, Savinho, has quickly made an impact with an assist and a penalty won in just three appearances. Guardiola has adjusted City’s tactics to play to Savinho’s strengths, encouraging wingers to deliver direct crosses to the back post.
Rico Lewis has been another standout, adapting his pre-season form to the Premier League. He has excelled in multiple roles, from right-back to holding midfielder, and even as a false nine. Guardiola has praised Lewis as one of the best players he’s ever coached, and his performances have kept captain Kyle Walker on the bench. A settled defense featuring Lewis, Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, and Manu Akanji has also kept John Stones and Nathan Ake out of the starting lineup.
De Bruyne, rejuvenated after a summer break, has returned with renewed energy. He’s been given a new role, often supporting Jeremy Doku or Jack Grealish on the left. At West Ham, he even played as a left-winger at times, showing that even seasoned players can adapt and learn new roles. “I feel good,” De Bruyne said of his form, “I’m not getting any younger but I feel good. I’ve been able to rack up the minutes even without pre-season.”
Guardiola has maintained consistency in his line-ups, allowing players to build fitness gradually. Rodri’s injury issues haven’t been as detrimental, thanks to Mateo Kovacic’s impressive form. Both Lewis and Kovacic have benefitted from extensive pre-season minutes and training.
Guardiola emphasized the importance of incremental improvement, saying, “If we increase everyone a little bit, we increase 11 players, our strength will be 11 times better.” He’s also prioritized rest, giving players like Haaland time off between matches to recharge. Haaland, in particular, has thrived, scoring seven goals in three matches.
While Guardiola continues to push for more involvement from Haaland in games, he recognizes the value of balancing rest with intense training. It seems Guardiola may have finally found the right formula for managing his squad, and the early results suggest he’s on the right track.
