Imagine the greatest football coach in the world — Pep Guardiola — suddenly finding himself out-paced by rivals. That’s what we’re seeing at Manchester City. Once unstoppable, City now drop points, stumble in big matches, and face questions like “What’s going on?”
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In this article, we will explore whether Pep's decline is because other Premier League teams have become tougher (meaning Arsenal, Man United, Liverpool, and Chelsea are truly rising), or if his squad has simply weakened . Trusted pundits at Sky Sports and other leading voices share their insights. And we’ll even look ahead — who has the discipline to rise now, and which player might win the next Ballon d’Or?
1. Manchester City: Pep Guardiola’s Stumble – The Core Problem
You can never ignore Pep Guardiola, but for the first time in a long time, Manchester City looks vulnerable. Once unstoppable, City now drop points, stumble in big matches, and face the big question: Is this due to rising competition or squad decline?
What the Pundits Are Saying: Sky Sports recently quoted Guardiola himself reflecting on the evolving Premier League landscape: “This isn’t right!” he said about games becoming tougher. Analysts at Sky agree: City still dominate possession, but they create fewer chances and concede too easily. One key report asked: “Long balls and low blocks – who now has the answer to City?”
Stronger Competition All Around: Teams like Arsenal and Liverpool have improved drastically. Aston Villa even shocked City 1-0 at Villa Park. Mid-table teams defend deep and hit fast; the era of City breaking teams down easily may be ending, as they face compact low blocks which expose their weaknesses.
Squad Decline and Big Departures: Kevin De Bruyne’s influence lessened due to injury, and Rodri’s form has dipped significantly. Many of Pep’s older players are past their peak. Sources show this is the first time he’s faced four league losses in a row in his career. It’s not just age — the defensive transitions aren’t handled as smoothly as they once were. While they still have Erling Haaland scoring for fun, the final pass, the killer cross, and the cutting-edge finish are often missing, suggesting tactical and physical issues are at play.
2. Arsenal: The Silent Giants (The Stronger Competition)
Arsenal are calm but deadly. With a solid defense, young stars like Bukayo Saka, and midfield control through Declan Rice, the Gunners are ticking all the boxes. Mikel Arteta’s system is working, especially with smart 1-0 wins showing maturity. Their discipline and hunger could push them to their first EPL win in years.
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3. Manchester United: Amorim’s Revolution (The Rising Threat)
United are unpredictable but exciting. Ruben Amorim has made this team fight hard. His tactics are more aggressive and modern, and bringing in a balance of youth and experience has helped. With the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, and now a possible Lewandowski transfer (Daily Star), United are building momentum. But can they stay consistent?
4. Liverpool: Struggling Under Arne Slot?
Liverpool is a puzzle. With Arne Slot in charge, the team has shown flashes of brilliance, but some defeats (like vs Brentford) raised big concerns. According to Sky Sports, Slot admitted the team had no answer to long balls and low blocks. Defensive problems, poor transitions, and inconsistent form might keep them out of the title race unless big changes are made fast.
5. Chelsea: The Dark Horse
Chelsea, under new leadership, have undergone a significant change with Nicolas Jackson on loan at Bayern Munich. However, they retain massive young talent like Enzo Fernandez and Premier League star Cole Palmer, who now carries the attacking burden alongside new signings like João Pedro. They’re not favorites, but their attacking football and squad depth could shock everyone — if they stay focused. Their match vs Spurs this weekend will show if they’re real contenders.
Golden Ball Debate: Who Can Lead the World?
Among the stars of EPL, who has the best chance to win the Ballon d’Or?
- Bukayo Saka (Arsenal): Young, consistent, and leading by performance.
- Bruno Fernandes (Man United): Key creator and penalty taker.
- Erling Haaland (Man City): Goal machine, always in the race, but will his team's struggles affect his chances?
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): If Liverpool bounce back, Salah will be the star.
- Cole Palmer (Chelsea): The young star leading Chelsea's attack and a recent Ballon d'Or nominee.
If you ask me: the next great leader will come from a club that combines discipline, modern tactics and world-class talent. City have to find that spark again. Will they? Only time will tell.
Leave your thoughts: Do you think Pep will regain dominance? Or is City’s era over? And who do you believe will win the next Ballon d’Or? Drop a comment and share your view! 🏆🔥