Pat Nevin Identifies Multiple Issues Behind Manchester City’s Recent Struggles

Pat Nevin, a former Premier League winger, suggests that Manchester City is grappling with several problems following their seventh loss in 10 games, which occurred against Juventus. This recent defeat brings their total losses to a number equivalent to what they experienced in their preceding 105 matches combined. During an appearance on the Football Daily podcast, Nevin stated: “If it was one simple thing, Pep Guardiola would have sorted it. A lot of things have happened at the same time. Rodri not playing, not controlling the game, that makes a huge difference, first of all.” He continued by noting: “Second of all, I think for a period of time, they’ve had full-back problems. The second goal was an absolute stick-on of where your problem is there, particularly if you tell one of them to play centre midfield and they get lost.” Nevin further elaborated: “Because of the respect that we’ve got for Manchester City and of the players and of what Guardiola’s done, it is true, they’re not what they were because they’re getting older and they can’t get around the pitch quickly.” He concluded this point by adding: “They’re not as good players as they were, not as sharp or zippy. It’s only a tiny little drop, it’s tiny.” The team’s difficulties are further underscored by Erling Haaland’s touch map, which indicated the Norwegian striker registered only 18 touches of the ball throughout the entire match. In contrast, City’s goalkeeper, Ederson, recorded the second-lowest number of touches but still managed 38, more than double Haaland’s total.