To say Manchester City underperformed this Premier League season is pretty much accurate. The Citizens came into the season with high expectations as Premier League champions. Most pundits and fans expected the team to cruise to the title once again.
The exact opposite happened, a determined Liverpool outclassed them, and injuries ravaged their defence. The team who did the treble last year only won the Carabao Cup this term.
The team that also amassed 98 and 100 points in their two previous seasons could only get 81 this time around.
Premier League Season Review: Manchester City
Defensive Injuries
In a way, the title was over when Ameryic Laporte went down with an injury in August. A knee injury kept the defender sidelined until January. He only played 15 times in the Premier League this season.
In his absence, City struggled. Their other defensive options, which included John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi, didn’t have Laporte’s quality. They conceded 12 more goals and suffered five more losses than in 2018-19.
While they won most of the games against lesser opposition, Laporte’s absence cost them in the big games. This season they lost contests to Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham.
It didn’t help City that both Rodri and John Stones missed games this year through injury as well. The team couldn’t find a solid combination of defenders.
If they are compared to Liverpool, the story is much different. The Reds could call upon the services of Virgil van Dijk all season long. It would have been interesting to see what would have happened if City could do the same with Laporte.
Manchester City Show Lack of Determination in the Premier League
The difference between Liverpool and City was enormous this season. Simply put, the Reds were not going to be denied this year after narrowly missing out last season.
This was shown by last-minute wins and grounded out performances against the likes of Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers. In contrast, City seemed to have a soft underbelly, which was exploited this season.
They surprisingly lost to both Norwich and Southampton this year – games that many would expect them to win easily.
The difference in determination between City and Liverpool was seen in the Anfield game. The Reds were on City like a pack of determined hyenas desperate to prove their supremacy. City wilted, and the Reds won 3-1.
However, the Citizens got a measure of revenge with a 4-0 win in the reverse fixture. They showed that their lack of determination probably wouldn’t be seen next season.
Player of the Season: Kevin De Bruyne
Is there a better midfielder in the world then Kevin De Bruyne?
The Belgian scored 13 goals and made 20 assists in an incredible individual season. He hammered in unbelievable goals such as a scorcher in a 2-2 draw with Newcastle. Despite his club’s underachievement, he was one of the best players in the Premier League.
De Bruyne is not just a world-class talent; he graces the pitch in a way that proves he is one of the best players of his generation.
With him at the helm, City will surely be in contention for all the trophies next season.
Better Luck Next Time
This was not to be City’s year. But with players like Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne along with a fit Ameryic Laporte, City will challenge in the future.
They also have the billions of Abu Dhabi behind them – underestimate this team at your peril.
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