Pep Guardiola faces a critical two-week period ahead as he assesses what’s been going wrong at Manchester City.
City fell to their fourth consecutive defeat over the weekend, losing 2-1 to Brighton at the Amex Stadium. Erling Haaland initially put City in the lead in the first half, but Brighton managed to take control in the second half and flipped the scoreline. Only Ederson‘s performance in goal prevented the loss from becoming a repeat of their Champions League defeat to Sporting CP.
Fans are increasingly noticing City’s struggle in midfield without Rodri, who remains sidelined and isn’t expected back soon. Guardiola has turned to Mateo Kovacic and the versatile Rico Lewis in Rodri’s absence, but Micah Richards has raised concerns about their defensive reliability.
Micah Richards Questions City’s Midfield Setup
City’s defense is currently too vulnerable, particularly on counterattacks, due to the high line they maintain. Richards, on The Rest Is Football podcast, noted: “What I don’t understand is how easy it is to play against them. Man City are known for their pressing, but it’s just nonexistent.”
Rodri typically excels at reading the game and breaking up opposition plays, but Richards argues that neither Kovacic nor Lewis have offered the same stability off the ball. “On the ball they’re good, but off the ball they’re just out of position and it’s looking a bit bleak,” Richards observed.
January Transfer Move Likely?
City’s defensive challenges this season may prompt Guardiola to seek reinforcements, potentially looking to bring in a dedicated defensive midfielder in the January window. Martin Zubimendi is reportedly on their radar, with Rodri himself suggesting that City consider signing the Real Sociedad player, whose release clause stands at £60 million.
While Kovacic has made a promising start at City and can function in deeper roles, he may need a more specialized partner in midfield. Similarly, Rico Lewis, though versatile, has seen his form dip, partly due to the lack of rotation options available amid the team’s injuries.
Adding Zubimendi, who excels in sitting deep and dictating the game’s tempo, could restore the defensive structure City needs to regain momentum in their season.
