Mendy, Stones, and Jesus don’t meet Manchester City’s high standards

Manchester City fell even further behind Liverpool on Saturday, and are currently lacking the necessary quality in more than one position.

A lacklustre Manchester City were punished by a late Jonjo Shelvey wonder-strike on Saturday, as the 2-2 draw leaves them trailing Liverpool by a huge 11 point margin just 14 weeks into the Premier League season. Now with just 1 win in their last 5, City are not looking like their usual dominant selves, and their poor form runs deeper than a simple winter slump.

Despite their extravagant spending, Man City are still a couple of players away from where they want to be. Pep continued with a makeshift backline on Saturday, as John Stones and Fernandinho joined fullbacks Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker in defense. Up top, Gabriel Jesus replaced the injured Sergio Aguero as the main striker.

City’s defence has been a constant concern this season; they will not win the league this year, or the Champions League, with Stones and Mendy in the back four. Aymeric Laporte’s injury was unfortunate, but 1 defensive injury shouldn’t leave them in a situation as difficult as this.

Stones and Mendy fall into similar categories. If you watch Man City, they simply do not move the ball in the same crisp manner as the rest. Stones’ tendency to give the ball away has been criticized for years, but was always seen as a skill that would eventually improve, a skill that would one day be considered a positive.

In Mendy’s case, the Frenchman is simply found out by sharing the left-hand side with Raheem Sterling and David Silva. Despite City’s dullness on Saturday, Sterling and Silva showed off ther quality – Sterling’s opener was assisted by a tremendous back-heel from the Spaniard.

Mendy however, is rarely on the same wavelength. The Frenchman is known for being better going forward than the other way, but isn’t the answer. Dispossessed 19 times vs Newcastle, Mendy failed to pull the trigger on a forward pass when it was needed, nor did he use the space created by his teammates. Add in his injury history, and City need to be in the market for a new left full-back.

At the other end of the pitch, Aguero’s ‘muscular’ injury could not have come at a worse time. This is simply because Jesus is not good enough to start week-in, week-out for a team as good as Manchester City. His goal record is great, but when City are struggling and not playing well, Jesus offers very little.

Jesus has been named a ‘tap-in merchant’ by fans on Twitter, and whilst I wouldn’t go this far, I understand the reasoning. Jesus has benefitted off of City’s brilliant football and has had a lot put on a plate by Silva, De Bruyne, Sterling and the rest.

He’s still just 22, but if Aguero is the standard, then Jesus certainly isn’t the answer. His finishing is supposed to be his strong point, but when he starts games, Jesus seems to miss a great deal of chances. Aside from his finishing, the Brazilian disappeared vs Newcastle, as he usually does when City aren’t winning comfortably.

Jesus isn’t a bad player, but if City’s goals are as lofty as reported, they need more firepower in the number 9 position, especially with Aguero not getting any younger. Activity in the transfer market as early as January is crucial if they want to win the Champions League – at the very least a centre-back and plan-B striker. Pep is known for his ruthlessness when it comes to quality, so don’t be surprised if the City boss freshens up his squad next month.