Manchester City’s start to the new campaign has been almost faultless under Pep Guardiola. They have won all four of their games, scoring 11 goals while only giving up two, and are undefeated heading into the September international break.
Even though they weren’t playing at their absolute best, the Sky Blues winning their first four games is concerning for the rest of the Premier League, and it doesn’t seem like this machine will slow down any time soon. Here are the three things we have discovered while watching Man City so far this season.
Mateo Kovacic appears relaxed.
The first of Man City’s four significant acquisitions this summer, Mateo Kovacic, joined in a £25 million transfer from Chelsea. After leading City to the treble in June, Ilkay Gundogan left enormous shoes to fill. Kovacic, who was brought in as the German international’s replacement, has settled into life at the Etihad Stadium quite smoothly.
It’s getting difficult to picture Pep Guardiola’s squad without the Croatian, who fits in so well in midfield that he already appears to be a permanent fixture at City. The 29-year-old put on another nearly perfect performance in last weekend’s 5-1 victory over Fulham at home, acting as though he had been playing for City for years.
Kovacic looks like another fantastic addition to the pool of City’s top-class players, a snip at only £25million.
Same Erling Haaland in a fresh season.
By being the Premier League player to accomplish 50 goal contributions (goals and assists) in the quickest time, Erling Haaland has established a new record. He broke Andy Cole’s previous record of 43 games by accomplishing the feat in just 39 matches.
The Norwegian displayed his talent at the Etihad Stadium by scoring a hat-trick and assisting another goal as Fulham was destroyed 5-1. As a result, Haaland has already scored six goals in four league games, indicating that he is on pace to match his remarkable 52-goal performance from 53 games in all competitions last season.
It will be difficult for the Norwegian goal-machine to beat his astonishing tally of 52 goals in his debut campaign but the manner in which he has started the 2023/24 campaign you wouldn’t want to bet against him.
Julian Alvarez is gearing up for a great season.
Julian Alvarez’s efforts in the first four Premier League games demonstrated just how talented he is.
The Argentinean international needed more playing time this season after spending the bulk of last season second fiddle to Haaland. Kevin de Bruyne’s unlucky injury on the first day of the season against Burnley has helped him obtain more playing time. Alvarez was a member of the team that defeated Burnley 3-0 along with De Bruyne, but without the Belgian, he has taken over the No. 10 position.
When on the field, Alvarez always presents a threat and gives the Man City attack a unique flavor. He is more than simply a goal scorer; he is also a playmaker, a persistent presser, a link-up player, and a ball handler. The World Cup winner’s broad skill set compliments Haaland’s, and the two have been honing their formidable relationship since last weekend’s demolition of Fulham.
The 23-year-old has fallen victim to Guardiola’s abundance of offensive options, but with Riyad Mahrez’s departure and De Bruyne’s ongoing hamstring problem, Alvarez now has a clear road to starting for City, whether Haaland is present or not.