Manchester City went into the international break off the back of a thrilling 4-4 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. A three-game winning run came to a halt last weekend but Pep Guardiola’s side still are at the summit of the table.
The Sky Blues, who won the treble last term, won their opening six Premier League fixtures before losing back-to-back games against Wolves and Arsenal, respectively. They showed character to bounce back with three consecutive victories, including a 3-0 success in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford last month.
With the Premier League on halt and a lot to ponder for Guardiola over the international break, here are three things we have learned from Manchester City this season.
#Kevin de Bruyne has not been missed
Kevin de Bruyne is a legend at the club and played a key role in their treble success, notching 10 goals and 31 assists in a stellar 2022/23 season. The Belgian midfield maestro is currently out of action with a serious hamstring injury he sustained on the opening day of the Premier League campaign.
Given how vital he has been to the team’s success under Pep Guardiola, it was believed that Man City would struggle to replace him in the XI. However, that hasn’t been the case at all, as Julian Alvarez has thrived as a No.10 in De Bruyne’s injury absence. The Argentinean has stepped up his game, and although not really renowned for his creativity, has bagged four assists and created plenty of chances.
It is Alvarez’s incisiveness that has helped City cope without De Bruyne and there has been fine goals under his banner as well.
#Jeremy Doku has hit the ground running
Jeremy Doku has starred since joining Man City from Rennes for £55million in the summer. A raw talent considered a calculated gamble, few would have expected the Belgian winger to adjust to life in the Premier League so seamlessly, with his dazzling display against Bournemouth his finest in a Man City shirt so far.
Opening the scoring at the Etihad Stadium, Doku then provided four assists to become the youngest player in Premier League history to register five goal involvements in a single game. It is the 21-year-old’s stunning impact and consistent performances that has not allowed Jack Grealish to break back into the first XI since recovering from injury.
#Matheus Nunes yet to prove his worth
In stark contrast to Doku, Matheus Nunes is yet to show his true worth at City following his summer move from Wolves. Following Ilkay Gundogan’s exit and Kevin de Bruyne’s long-term hamstring injury, Nunes was expected to come in and slot straight into City’s first XI. However, that hasn’t been the case at all, with the Portuguese being a bit-part player for the Cityzens so far.
Nunes has started just twice in the Premier League for City, of which he was substituted at half time in the 2-1 defeat to Wolves at Molineux in September. And now he has withdrawn from Portugal’s squad for this international period due to a muscle injury, which is a blow for Guardiola and City even though the central midfielder has failed to make the desired impact.