All those justifiable anxieties and concerns. They are all already absolutely stunned.
6 matches. 6 victories. Manchester City is cooking, as the youngsters would say. Following an unusually turbulent summer, many had assumed that there would at least be some challenges.
City, who are typically so effective and skilled in the transfer window, waited too long this time. Prior to the start of the season, only Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol were signed as the team continued to consider the best way to replace Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan.
Declan Rice received a half-hearted offer, Lucas Paqueta attracted considerable interest, and Michael Olise even appeared on the radar. Even while City had long respected the players, the targets seemed to be chosen at random, and the scattergun strategy made it challenging to determine what was actually desired.
In the end, Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes were acquired to strengthen the flanks and midfield, and both had successful debuts for City. However, the relative roster instability well into the season, along with the loss of two significant treble-winning players, Kevin De Bruyne’s injury till the new year, and Pep Guardiola’s absence for a while, created the ideal environment for things to go awry.
However, City have had a fantastic start. go forth with excellence as if nothing unusual had occurred. They have already won four straight Premier League games, something they didn’t accomplish until the second half of last season. The quadruple may be in the cards this time around given how the previous season finished.
It’s particularly impressive how little Gundogan’s absence has affected City. Every summer, the Blues have grown accustomed to losing at least one legend, but Gundogan was unique. He wasn’t losing his edge, he was actually playing the finest football of his career. He played in each significant game and the one following it, contributing greatly to the team’s success while also scoring numerous important goals.
Without the player who so expertly linked midfield and attack, City may not be playing quite as brilliantly right now, but they are undoubtedly improving. Even if there have been some failures along the way, Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez’s attacking midfield connection is starting to flourish as the victories keep flowing in.
Gundogan left a significant gap that the team is collectively filling. Rodri, however, may be the player that needs to step up the most.
Following the 3-1 victory over Red Star Belgrade, Guardiola proclaimed, “He is the best [in Europe].” “I’m hoping he can be better, have a good mentality, and progress in the right ways. But he is an exceptional holding midfielder, and the team was fortunate to sign him.
“There was another kind of player when we got there. He plays in an exceptional number of games and is currently one of the team’s captains. outstanding in the midfield defence. Not just the goal, but also the defensive and attacking poise to read the gaps and understand where the guy is free. It’s very risky to be so close to the box. He enjoys entering the last third of the field, making dribbles and shooting. playing extremely well.
It’s amazing to consider that the Spaniard still has room to grow after becoming the indisputable best defensive midfielder in the league and scored the game’s winning goal in the Champions League final. When Gundogan left for Barcelona, City lost a goal threat from deep, but Rodri is easing the pain.
Getting the ball on the edge of the box, cutting inside, and gently directing it into the bottom corner, Rodri’s wonderful little finish on Tuesday night was a goal you’d expect De Bruyne or Gundogan himself to be scoring. A player that prioritises defending the defence and maintaining possession shouldn’t also be able to score goals that top-tier playmakers would be pleased of. Rodri is, though.
After eight games (including the Super Cup and Community Shield), the 28-year-old has already scored three goals and contributed two assists; only Erling Haaland and Alvarez have more. His two league strikes were fantastic, and if he keeps up this pace, he will surpass his all-time best of seven strikes.