Pep Guardiola is considered one of the world’s finest tacticians and his love and passion for the game stands out in his approach. He is a transformed man when he speaks about football or when he is on the field. While his appointment has raised hopes and the fans are quietly confident of success, things are not as straightforward as they might seem. Pep employs a system which asks a lot from the players. They have to be in their best possible shape throughout the season and have to perform each and every aspect of the game as he desires. Only then will the results show on the pitch. While the present City squad are a talented lot, they have to move up more than a couple of notches to be anywhere near the level Pep expects them to be.
While a massive overhaul might not be possible, with financial and contractual status playing a huge part in today’s transfers, there will be multiple players who would be wary of their future at the club.
ALEKSANDAR KOLAROV
Kolarov has been woeful while defending and has been culpable for quite a few high-profile mistakes last season. While his forward forays still have the verve and his stinging shots are more than capable of troubling the keeper, his frequent lapses at the back renders him as a misfit in the new system. His lethargic defending will be in stark contrast to the dedicated and determined approach Pep demands from his full-backs and with his significant wages will ensure City’s willingness to off-load the player if a suitable offer is forthcoming.
ELIAQUIM MANGALA
Manchester City paid a massive £42m for this former Porto defender, and when a club pays that sort of money it expects an immediate return from the player. City would have realised they had grossly overpaid for the inconsistent French defender. He fails to evoke any sort of calmness and looks like a mistake about to happen. While he has most of the characteristics to be a good defender in the Premier League with his pace and strength, he is far from a finished product.
His constructive passing and ability to play out from the back are almost non-existent and the who’s who at City will have to make a tough choice on whether to cut their losses on the player or persist with a player who has shown glimpses of his ability but will fail to make the first team presently.
WILFRIED BONY
Ever since Pep came on board, Wilfried Bony’s future has been cast in doubt because of his one-dimensional approach which was visibly unsuitable for the style of play Guardiola employs. Though Bony was understandably linked with a move away after his failure to find any rhythm whatsoever in a City shirt, the possession based football likely to be prevalent next season will potentially hasten his exit. Though his wages might prove to be a stumbling block for potential suitors, it will be beneficial for both parties if the burly Ivorian starts anew elsewhere.
