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Looking just a week ago everything was supposed to be rosy in the Etihad garden. Man City are in the mix to live up to the expectations of bookmakers and land two-in-a-row in the Premier League and the club are also making strides on the continent, blasting their way into the knockout stages of this season's Champions League.
They have a squad jam-packed full of talent, a manager in Pep Guardiola who has been to the very top of the game and is determined to make a return, and a board always happy to stick their hand in their pocket and shell-out for expensive new signings.
Fans are happy with the direction the club are taking these days, after suffering years of watching their heroes toil. Everything is near perfect and it's a great time to be associated with Manchester City, but there are a few glaring issue the club can't get away from and as we head towards what will be a crucial 2019, they need addressing.
The best Premier League betting sites and offers (based on www.top-betting-sites.co.uk) have reacted and have City removed from favourites for a second consecutive title win, mainly after 3 losses in their last five games – without putting the results aside here are some glaring issues:
Lack of firepower. Now, it may seem preposterous to suggest The Cityzens lack weight up top, especially after watching them score 54 league goals in their first 20 games (league best), but we saw in December's 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge an old worry resurface.
Despite millions of pounds spent during the summer transfer window, Man City still have only two natural strikers in their main squad and that isn't enough to see them hold off all challengers domestically over the course of a season and drive at the major places in European football's elite club competition.
Sergio Aguero is one of those strikers and although when fully fit and in the mood there's few more talented at created chances and scoring important goals, his recent history shows the Argentinian has suffered from lengthy lay-offs in the past. At 30-years-old and in the thick of a hectic schedule it's surely only a matter of time before he checks in for more time on the treatment table. If that does happen it would leave a massive hole in the City attack. Who would fill the gap?
Gabriel Jesus is the natural replacement, but the Brazilian is returning from what was a poor showing at the World Cup in Russia where his Samba Boys were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Belgium, following a 2-1 defeat. Jesus appears to be struggling with the lack of a proper rest and has scored just 3 goals (two of them against Everton) and chipped in with two assists so far in the league. Compare that to the nine and seven of Aguero and the stats prove he'd be little help in times of crisis.
Further back the pitch and Pep has more to keep him awake at night with defender Benjamin Mendy out injured for another month. That couldn't have come at a worse time for the club heading towards the non-stop festive period and there's little doubt the talented Frenchman will be a huge miss to his teammates. He's another beginning to show the signs of a punishing year.
Elsewhere, and Ukrainian prospect Oleksandr Zinchenko hasn't really set the heather alight as was expected of him so far and he appears to lack the dominance and consistency needed to force himself into the limelight. When the chips were down, he hasn't shown he is the kind of player who could turn a game in his favour although netting an assist the last game against Southampton – his only second 90 minutes game this year.
Finally, what's the latest on the blockbuster signing of the summer, Riyad Mahrez? The winger has had no trouble settling in to his new surrounding and has already played a big part in his team's title defence. He is a player who could win games for his employers in the blink of an eye and he appears to be getting stronger with the passing of each match. He'll be key to any success City have during 2019 and that was proven when he scored the winner against Watford at Vicarage Road recently, adding to a Sane first-half opener.
Putting in a man of the match performance against The Hornets, the City faithful will be hoping the Algerian internationalist can get an extended run in the team and stay injury free. His attackers could certainly do with the help.
Manchester City start the new year with a home match against main title rivals Liverpool on Thursday 3 January in an 8.00pm kick-off which presents a chance to narrow the gap, before welcoming Wolves to town on Monday 14. A trip to Huddersfield shouldn't pose too many problems six days later and they wind up the opening month on the calendar at St James Park on Tuesday 29.
