There was no doubt Manchester City had to improve defensively going into this season. While they had the second-best record in the Premier League in the 2019/20 season they also saw it increase dramatically from the season before. The loss of Vincent Kompany was a massive blow and one that showed as Liverpool steamrolled their way to the Premier League. This focus however meant City forgot to strengthen up front and it’s beginning to show.
With 102 goals last season they were one of the most attractive attacking teams in the Premier League, if not the world. Raheem Sterling led the way with 20 league goals while Sergio Aguero wasn’t far off with 16 goals. This season has been a different story as they have just 10 goals in eight Premier League games and Sterling has just two.
The England International also hasn’t scored since mid-October in the league. One of his strike partners Gabriel Jesus also only has two and for the first time in a while, City has a negative goal differential. This of course after their 2-0 defeat to Tottenham on Saturday.
One of the reasons behind City’s woes has been the availability of Sergio Aguero who was an unused substitute against Tottenham as he works his way back from injury. Aguero has missed a lot of time lately with Father Time starting to catch up on the Argentinian striker. The thing is, City knew this during the off-season yet failed to address it.
Pep Guardiola won’t make the same mistake twice though, meaning don’t be surprised if City go big in the January transfer window. Guardiola just recently signed a new two-year deal and will not be happy playing second fiddle to anyone. To regain their place as England’s number one team a striker is a must.
This will put teams like Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund on alert who have two players Guardiola should be very much interested in. Robert Lewandowski from Bayern, who Pep has worked with previously, and Erling Haaland from Dortmund. Lewandowski gives an instant fix but as with Aguero hasn’t got time on his side, while Haaland is one of the most highly-rated young strikers in the game today. Either would be a huge upgrade to what City currently has available and provide them the firepower necessary to challenge again.
