Man City Attack Becomes Even Harder To Stop

Pep Guardiola has always had a wealth of attacking options at Manchester City, but the current squad is exceptional in terms of both quantity and diversity.

Over Guardiola’s seven-year tenure at the club, City has gone through various phases, from the wing dominance of players like Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane to the era of the false nine, featuring Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish, and the goal-scoring brilliance of Erling Haaland. However, this season stands out as they seem to possess all the necessary components for attacking success. They can control games with Grealish, intimidate opponents with Jeremy Doku, amaze with Phil Foden, or overpower them with Haaland. Not to forget the inventiveness of Julian Alvarez and the awareness of Bernardo Silva. When Kevin De Bruyne is fit, he’s another potent option.

City’s progress this season has been gradual, but they seem to be hitting their stride, especially in terms of their attacking prowess. They’ve won five consecutive matches, scoring 17 goals. Haaland, who faced some form questions, has scored seven goals in five games, Doku has contributed with two goals and seven assists in six games, and Foden has netted three goals in as many matches. Alvarez remains a constant threat, and Grealish’s influence on the game has been substantial.

Foden’s goal at the end of the first half in their match against Young Boys showcased his ability to simplify the game. Haaland had already scored a penalty, and he added his second with a brilliant left-footed drive into the top corner, marking just the third time he had scored from outside the box in his City career.

As Sandro Lauper was sent off, Alvarez and Doku were not needed for long, and when Haaland was rested, Oscar Bobb came on. The minor issue of finding a replacement for Haaland when needed only highlights the multitude of options available to Guardiola.

City’s style still maintains some level of control, but they are becoming more flexible and open to chaos at times. Guardiola’s  ability to adapt his team’s approach, even if only slightly, has been a key factor in his sustained success at the club.

As Chelsea prepares to face City, they will ponder how Guardiola will utilize his wingers. They know Haaland will start and acknowledge the challenge of stopping him. With Alvarez likely to start, Chelsea cannot focus all their defensive efforts on the No. 9. However, on the wings, City can change their approach. Foden is excellent, but Doku brings directness and dynamism to the right, while Grealish offers skill and control on the left. Both are formidable but require different defensive strategies.

In their recent Champions’ League group stage match, Grealish even played a cameo in a central role, adding another layer of unpredictability to City’s attack. This versatility in their attacking options makes City an even more formidable team to defend against, and it’s a testament to their ability to adapt and diversify their game plan throughout the season.