It is not secret any more than things are not turning out as expected for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. Having being subjected to the Catalan’s heaviest league defeat ever in the recently concluded Matchday 21, City are in real danger of slipping to the 6th position with the match against Tottenham Hotspur looking like a must-win one for the Sky Blues.
But looking at the current form of both the teams, regardless of the venue of the match, very few people will be backing the Sky Blues to get any points from the available 3.
With their season in danger of spiralling into a disaster, let us take a look at 3 measures the club could undertake for damage limitation this season.
GIVE CABALLERO A CHANCE
Unlikely to happen, given the huge ego involved with the decision makers regarding the changing goalkeeping dynamics at the club this season but still a measure that can be taken without Pep’s credibility taking too much of a hit. He did indeed retain Caballero and trusted the Argentine with the glove duty till the time Bravo came in. The Chilean has been dismal so far. Yes, there is still a section of sympathisers who seek more time for the former Barcelona player but there isn’t much to hide behind for the keeper. The playing out from the back isn’t giving the best returns and City are simply too easy to score against. Sometimes it is downright embarrassing. Get Caballero in and let the keeper make some saves, like they are supposed to.
ADDED DEFENSIVE COVER IN FRONT OF THE BACK-FOUR
Fernandinho has handed the team a bittersweet experience this term. He has generally been good but his 3 red cards in 6 matches coupled with a few indifferent displays lately have set the alarm bells ringing. He has to get his radar right in the 2nd half of the season and City might look towards the option of reducing his workload with the addition of Fernando or Delph in midfield. Yes, Yaya has been decisive and useful ever since his comeback but the issue of imbalance remains with him in the team. With Fernandinho quite capable going forward, a Fernando or a Delph and a withdrawn Fernandinho might be the way going forward. Especially against teams in the top half.
BUY AN ESTABLISHED CENTRE-BACK IN JANUARY
It is absolutely clear that Pep Guardiola will make a major foray into the transfer market in the summer and the fact that a centre-back will be the priority is also clear. But the way the ones at the one are playing, there is a need to bolster that section of the squad almost immediately. Stones needs time, Otamendi is inconsistency personified, Kompany is never fit while Kolarov is not a central defender. The club has a list of targets and should try and get a deal through if possible, else a Top 4 finish looks tough.
