The major Man City problem that could bring Pep Guardiola's Manchester City spell to an unexpected end

Manchester City currently sit second in the Premier League, with 23 points, just two behind league leaders Liverpool. While the title is still within reach, fans are growing concerned about the team's recent drop in performance.

Pep Guardiola's side has lost their last three matches, marking the first time this has happened since 2018. To make matters worse the heaviest defeat was a 4-1 battering from Sporting CP - a team coached by Ruben Amorim, the incoming new Manchester United manager.

For those who have been following City this season, the recent struggles were not entirely surprising. In fact, many saw it coming based on the poor displays even in their victories leading up to these defeats. Against Fulham, they were rescued by Adama Traoré’s wastefulness. An added-time winner from John Stones was needed to secure three points against bottom-of-the-table Wolves. Even in their 1-0 win against 19th-placed Southampton, City looked far from convincing.

The Citizens now appear to be a shadow of their former selves, and they have never looked the same since Rodri’s injury. The Ballon d'Or winner likely didn’t wish for this situation to unfold, but his absence has only amplified his importance to the team's success, and perhaps even his claim to the golden ball.

City aren’t just missing Rodri's ability to control the tempo and flow of the game as a regista. They also miss his timely goals when the attack falters, his intelligent positioning, and his tactical fouls that disrupt counter-attacks from opponents. Premier League statistics show that the defending champions have faced 28 shots from counter-attacks this season, 10 more than the second-highest team, West Ham United, who have faced 18.

This isn’t the first time City have struggled with the long-term absence of a key player. When Kevin De Bruyne, the star of the 100-point season in 2017/18, was plagued by injuries the following season, Pep found a way to play result-oriented, effective football to defend the title. Even after Ilkay Gündogan left following the treble-winning season, the team didn’t experience a drop in form quite like this.

How the team has performed in Rodri’s absence raises an important question. Is this a Rodri team, or a Pep Guardiola team? Has the genius built his system around one man?

City have been linked with potential replacements for Rodri, including Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad and Empoli’s Samuele Ricci. Zubimendi, in particular, looks like the natural heir to Rodri, having impressed when he stepped in for him during Spain’s Euro 2024 final victory over England.

If Pep Guardiola fails to address this issue before the transfer window and ends up spending heavily on a like-for-like replacement, his critics, who have long sought to undermine him, will have more ammunition to tarnish his reputation as a "cheque-book manager."