"Few clubs embody ambition quite like Manchester City. They have won 18 trophies in nine years under Pep Guardiola but, for just the second time in his tenure, they finished last season without a trophy. Given that City had won the previous four Premier League titles, it was easy to downplay it as a mere stumble, a season disrupted by injuries and a cloud of legal issues."
"They have responded by investing 320m in the squad in 2025 including a staggering 180m in the January window, almost matching the rest of the Premier League's combined spend so the ambition for this season was clear. City were supposed to regain their aura of invincibility and win again. On the opening day of the new season, they looked every bit that side. Their 4-0 dismantling of Wolves felt like a warning sign."
"Is this simply a slow start, or does it point to deeper problems? Rodri has returned from injury but will take some time to get back to his best. Photograph: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images City started last season as clear favourites to win the title but Rodri's cruciate knee ligament injury, sustained against Arsenal last September, kept the Ballon d'Or winner sidelined for most of the season and played a major role in the team's struggles."
Manchester City won 18 trophies in nine years under Pep Guardiola but finished last season without a trophy for just the second time in his tenure. The club invested 320m in the squad in 2025, including 180m in January, nearly matching the rest of the Premier League's combined spend. City began the new season with a 4-0 win over Wolves, then lost 2-0 to Spurs and 2-1 at Brighton, leaving Guardiola with his lowest points tally at this stage. Losing two of the first three games is historically rare, and Rodri's recent return from a cruciate injury means further recovery time.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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