‘I give you this week to pack your things and leave ‘: Manchester City Manger Pep Guardiola has officially told £60m City star to leave this week or His contract will be terminated
Manchester City’s Premier League campaign got off to a rocky start as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. The visitors took the lead through Brennan Johnson’s clinical finish, which was initially disallowed for offside but given after a VAR review. Tottenham doubled their advantage just before halftime when James Trafford’s poor pass found Richarlison, who set up Joao Palhinha to score.
*Key Issues for Manchester City:*
– *Defensive Errors*: Trafford’s mistake led to the second goal, highlighting concerns about the team’s defensive solidity. City’s defenders struggled to contain Tottenham’s attack, particularly down the left side where Richarlison proved a thorn in their side.
– *Inconsistent Performance*: Manchester City’s display was inconsistent, with the team failing to replicate the form that saw them thrash Wolves 4-0 in their opening match. Pep Guardiola’s side looked disjointed, and the new signings, including Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders, failed to make a significant impact.
*Takeaways:*
– *Spurs’ Tactical Approach*: Thomas Frank’s tactics paid off, as his team exploited City’s weaknesses and caught them off guard with swift counterattacks. Spurs’ high press and direct approach caused City problems, particularly in the first half.
– *City’s Transfer Window*: The transfer window remains open, and City’s squad is still evolving. With Ederson on the bench and Ilkay Gundogan and Manuel Akanji not in the squad, Guardiola faces challenges in finding the right combination.
– *Consistency Concerns*: Guardiola believes his team will be more consistent this season, but the 2-0 loss to Tottenham raises questions about City’s ability to perform at a high level week in, week out.¹ ²
*What’s Next?*
– Manchester City will look to bounce back against Brighton on Sunday, August 31.
– Tottenham will host Bournemouth on Saturday, August 30.
