Manchester City: Pep Guardiola's team is starting to take shape

Pep Guardiola perhaps didn’t expect it to take so long, but finally his Manchester City team is starting to come together.

Manchester City and Pep Guardiola have a had a rocky first half of the campaign. City were favorites for the Premier League title before the season began, but now find themselves ten points behind leaders Chelsea.

Guardiola was expected to make mass changes last summer, but for some reason stuck with many of the squad left behind by Manuel Pellegrini. So it was no surprise, in the opening half of the season, that Manchester City looked just like they did last season.

No intensity, no aggression, too many missed chances and, most notably, shoddy defending all-round. Guardiola has been tinkering with his team ever since and only now are things starting to take shape.

Gabriel Jesus arrived from Palmeiras after initially signing in the summer. Leroy Sane has recently began to find his feet in England. Whilst Raheem Sterling has been in form all season, with the exception of his trademark poor finishing.

With Sergio Aguero up front, supported by the likes of Sterling, Nolito, David Silva or Kevin De Bruyne, the attacking press Guardiola is known for was fairly absent. And when in effect, only in second gear.

Now, with Sane, Jesus and Sterling, the pressing is in 5th gear and causing havoc. Suddenly, City’s attack looks dangerous at all times. The front three are fluid, quick and unselfish. They share the ball and look like they could be a problem for a long time to come.

The average age of the trio is just 20 years old too. That unit could be set for years, and especially under Guardiola. Meanwhile, the City midfield is solid, but may need some minor tweaking. De Bruyne and Silva combine well off the ball, but can be a bit pedestrian as a pairing.

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Yaya Toure sits deeper as the holding midfielder, but also look ponderous when tracking back. Although, Fernandinho may come back into the team in the near future now that his four-game ban has been served. That helps the engine room for legs and energy.

A De Bruyne-Silva-Fernandinho midfield looks sufficient, but may need some extra youth injected in the summer. Not to mention the impressive Ilkay Gundogan, who is currently out injured with a knee injury.

And then comes the much-maligned defense. Here is where Guardiola needs to really focus on next. John Stones has time on his side and should come good under the wing of Guardiola. But the rest of the backline are either ageing terribly or are a questionable fit in Guardiola’s system.

Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov are all in their thirties and have questionable futures at the club. Whilst Nicolas Otamendi may not be the best fit for Guardiola’s passing game. Vincent Komapny continues to struggle with fitness.

In goal, Claudio Bravo is a proven top-level goalkeeper, but is clearly struggling to adjust to the English game. Willy Caballero is yet to get a real run as City’s first team goalkeeper. Guardiola still has a way to go yet before his Manchester City can be unleashed.

Next: Sergio Aguero's time at Man City is coming to an end

Things are starting to move in the right direction, though. The Spaniard has a major puzzle on his hands, and it looks like the first pieces may now be in place upfront. In the summer, the defense will be the prime focus.

And then, City next season could be a totally different prospect than they have been this year.

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Manchester City: Pep Guardiola’s team is starting to take shape

By Craig Pearson | Feb 2, 2017

Pep Guardiola perhaps didn’t expect it to take so long, but finally his Manchester City team is starting to come together.

More from The Top Flight