The stellar glow that was Manchester City is quickly dimming. After losing two matches out of their first three Premier League games, Pep Guardiola’s squad is suddenly exposed to weakness with major alterations taking place in the champions’ sphere.
On deadline day, Ederson was swapped for Gianluigi Donnarumma, who came over from PSG. Donnarumma might be a top goalkeeper but his way of playing the ball is totally different from the one that Pep has been using with his other goalkeepers.
The Italian is only one of many changes that are happening. The summer transfer window has been a complete overhaul of the Manchester City squad with the departure of Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish, James McAtee, Ilkay Gündogan and Manuel Akanji.
Now the question is what is going to happen with Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, and the core of City’s midfield. The Spaniard’s short-term future is becoming more and more of a question as he has only two years left on his contract and Real Madrid appears to be interested in him. Sources close to the Etihad are very uneasy about it, and they think that losing Rodri will not only be another exit but it will represent the end of a period.
Guardiola has always managed to put together a new team, but not when he was in such a vulnerable position. As for City, this year is not just about winning the trophies they desire.
