Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have started the new season in a near-flawless fashion. They have gone into the September international break with a 100 per cent record, winning all their four fixtures—scoring 11 goals and conceding just two.
Despite not being at their sublime best, the Sky Blues winning their opening four games looks ominous for the rest of the Premier League and it doesn’t look as though this machine is slowing down anytime soon. With that being said, here are the three things we have learned watching Man City so far this season.
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New season, same Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland has set a new record by becoming the fastest player to reach 50 goal contributions (goals and assists) in the Premier League. He achieved the feat in just 39 appearances, breaking Andy Cole’s previous record of reaching this milestone in 43 games.
In the 5-1 dismantling of Fulham at the Etihad Stadium, the Norwegian showcased his prowess by scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist. With that, Haaland has already netted six goals in four league games, thus showing signs of replicating last season’s form that saw him score an incredible 52 goals in 53 games across all competitions.
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.
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Mateo Kovacic looks at home
Mateo Kovacic was the first of what would be four major signings for Man City this summer, joining in a £25million deal from Chelsea. Ilkay Gundogan left a massive pair of boots to fill, having captained City to the treble in June, and Kovacic—signed as the Germany international’s replacement—has adapted to life at the Etihad Stadium relatively quickly and without any hiccups.
The Croatian already looks like part of the furniture at City, slotting in so comfortably in midfield that it’s becoming hard to imagine Pep Guardiola’s team without him. The 29-year-old has been performing as if he had been playing with City for years, producing another near-faultless display in the 5-1 win over Fulham at home last weekend.
Kovacic looks like another fantastic addition to the pool of City’s top-class players, a snip at only £25million.
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Julian Alvarez braced for a big season
Julian Alvarez’s performances across the opening four Premier League games exemplified how much of a superb talent he is.
After playing second fiddle to Haaland for the majority of the last season, the Argentinean international was always going to need more minutes this season and Kevin de Bruyne’s misfortunate injury on the opening day against Burnley has come to his aid in terms of playing minutes. Alvarez was with De Bruyne in the team that beat Burnley 3-0, but without the Belgian, he’s made the No.10 role his own.
Alvarez always looks a threat when on the pitch, bringing a different flavour to the Man City attack. He is not just a mere goalscorer; he’s a playmaker, relentless pressing machine, link-up player and ball-carrier. The World Cup winner’s well-rounded skill set complements Haaland, with the duo polishing their formidable partnership with the dismantling of Fulham last weekend.
The 23-year-old has been a victim of the attacking riches at Guardiola’s disposal, but with the departure of Riyad Mahrez and De Bruyne’s long-term hamstring injury, Alvarez now has a clear pathway into City’s starting XI—whether it be with Haaland or without him.
