It has been an appalling few weeks for Manchester Metropolis. Pep Guardiola’s aspect are on an unimaginable run of kind, having gained only one sport of their final ten outings in all competitions. That victory got here towards Nottingham Forest, a 3-0 win within the Premier League on the Etihad Stadium.
After Wednesday night time’s loss to Juventus, Guardiola’s aspect have slipped to twenty second within the Champions League desk, and their eight factors place them only one level contained in the playoff zone. They’re actually reducing it positive to qualify for the following spherical.
The Cityzens have been arguably let down by a few of their star males this season.
Metropolis’s worst performers in 2024/25
It has actually been a tricky season for the 2022/23 treble winners, who’re failing to reside as much as the expectations surrounding them after dominating English, and European soccer, for the previous few seasons.
Phil Foden is among the gamers who’s struggling this time period. The England worldwide has seemed a shadow of his former self, having gained the PFA Participant of the 12 months award for final season.
He has performed 17 video games in all competitions to this point this time period, scoring three targets and helping two. His solely objective contribution at house was a objective in a 5-0 thrashing of Sparta Prague.
One other participant who has not carried out effectively this season is new signing Savinho. The Brazilian joined the Cityzens over the summer season for £30.8m from Troyes however has not managed to attain his first objective in Blue but. He has grabbed 5 assists in 20 video games throughout competitions, but it surely has been a disappointing begin to life in East Manchester.
Kyle Walker has been a key part of Metropolis’s success in the previous few seasons, however he has had a fast decline. Though he has performed 14 instances in all competitions, he has struggled. The Guardian journalist Ben McAleer defined there have been “clear indications of a Walker decline for months”, courting again to Euro 2024.
It has been unhappy for Metropolis followers to see their star gamers out of shape and their new signings struggling to adapt. Somebody who might slot in each of these classes is Ilkay Gundogan.
Gundogan’s stats in 2024/25
German midfielder Gundogan returned to Manchester Metropolis in the summertime after spending a season away from the membership at La Liga giants Barcelona. He signed a one-year deal with the choice of a second season.
It was actually an thrilling transfer for the membership, with outgoing Director of Soccer Txiki Begiristain stuffed with reward for the midfielder. He referred to as him an “distinctive” footballer, which is greater than truthful given what he achieved on the membership in his first spell.
Throughout his first stint as a Cityzen, the previous Borussia Dortmund midfielder performed 304 video games, scoring 60 targets and grabbing 38 assists. He performed a vital function of their trophy success, capping it off by successful the treble in 2022/23. That season, the German performed 51 video games, scoring 11 targets and grabbing eight assists.
Nevertheless, this season the 34-year-old has been a far cry from that kind. The Metropolis quantity 19 has performed 21 video games in all competitions, scoring twice and grabbing only one help.
It’s maybe no coincidence that his poor performances have coincided with this lull in kind for his workforce.
Gundogan stats by competitors this season |
|||
---|---|---|---|
Stat |
Premier League |
Champions League |
Carabao Cup |
Video games |
14 |
6 |
1 |
Minutes |
955 |
375 |
45 |
Full 90s |
10.6 |
4.1 |
0.5 |
Objectives |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Assists |
2 |
0 |
0 |
Stats from Transfermarkt |
Soccer analyst and Metropolis supporter Umir defined earlier within the season that the German can, at instances “look fatigued” and likewise “lacks a little bit of sharpness”. It’s truthful to say the Metropolis legend has not left an enduring impression on supporters to this point throughout his second spell
Given he’s incomes an eye-watering £230k per week on the Etihad Stadium, there’s an argument to say that Metropolis bought this signing fallacious.
He has not been wherever close to nearly as good as throughout his first spell, and for the cash they spend on his weekly wage, it’s an costly funding for disappointing performances.

First Impressions
What did pundits and followers alike take into consideration their new star signing after they arrived? Soccer FanCast’s ‘First Impressions’ collection has every little thing you want.
With Inter Milan reportedly eager to snap him up in 2025, maybe it may be smart for Guardiola and co to chop this second stint brief…

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