It's entirely possible they've hit their peak and Guardiola can't get any more out of them. The cracks were definitely showing last season in both the manager and players, and no amount of 5-0 wins can mask their weaknesses at the back.
Aguero, Kompany, Silva and Fernandinho have been at the centre of their success over the last 10 years, and two of those have left and the other two are ageing or injury prone. Apart from those 4 players and De Bruyne, they've had no natural leaders, whereas we seem to have leaders in every single position.
When things have gone wrong for them in games, they lack characters that step up when under pressure. I think this season will see a similar pattern of them rolling teams over but losing lots of games to teams that have a go - especially those that look stronger than last year. Their games against Leeds will probably end 6-5.
They may have unlimited funds and immunity from FFP, but I genuinely think the Man City 'project' is already in decline. If we can build on the last few seasons then we can not only win trophies but hopefully consign City to history as a vulgar vanity project that was ultimately as empty as the Etihad.
Been saying this for a while about the spine of that team.
Leadership is a key factor in team building. Pep inherited a strong spine with 4 leaders who could captain if he wanted. They were the ones in the dressing room who set the example. Piss heads and circus acts were not tolerated because they were the stand outs and those 4 weren’t having it.
Now we see the piss heads and clowns coming to the fore. Walker’s shenanigans during lockdown, Foden away with England, even Raheem’s tantrum with Joe, and subsequent assault. Silly little things maybe but indicative of a lack of professionalism.
That’s before we get onto the pitch. KDB is a fantastic player, but he doesn’t make me feel like he can control the likes of Walker or Bernardo, or physically drag a team to victory in a bad patch. Their much vaunted centre half. LaPorte doesn’t come across as a captain either. I rate Conor Coady higher because his presence within his team is so positive and strong. A leader if you will.
I look at Milner, VVD, Robbo (the way he looked after Sadio in the World Club final) Fabinho, any of them could wear the armband and lead the team if Hendo wasn’t there - because they have the same outlook as the rest of the group. “Captains in open field” was a chapter of a book I read many years ago about Shanks And Paisley’s men. Everyone a captain. All supporting each other.
I think that is our strength.
City have yet to find it.