Manchester City have just made a decision. A very risky one. A decision that could change everything in the upcoming Premier League season. A decision that could break Pep Guardiola’s dream of lifting another Premier League title with Manchester City. A decision that could hand the trophy to Liverpool or Arsenal. And guess what? That decision might come back to haunt them.
Last season was a shock for Manchester City. They were not the team that frightened everybody. They were not the machine that won treble. They were not the team that crushed Liverpool and Arsenal. They were not champions. In fact, they were not even serious contenders. And that failure has left a wound in the heart of every Manchester City fan. A painful memory that still burns.
This summer, everyone expected Pep Guardiola to fix things. Everyone expected Manchester City to go all out and rebuild, re-energize, and re-arm. They wanted the club to become hungry again. But instead, Manchester City have now decided not to sign another midfielder. Not one. And that, according to many fans and pundits, could be a big mistake. A huge mistake. A mistake that could gift the Premier League title to either Liverpool or Arsenal.
Let’s go back a bit. Let’s talk about what happened to this Manchester City team. During the FIFA Club World Cup, when they faced Al-Hilal, everyone saw something they didn’t want to believe. They saw Manchester City being exposed. They saw their weaknesses. They saw how fragile the team looked. They lost 4-3 to Al-Hilal in the last-16. That wasn’t just a loss—it was a warning. A serious warning. A reminder that the City of today is not the City of yesterday. That match told the fans something. It told them that this squad is not ready. It told them that this team needs serious work.
Meanwhile, their rivals have been moving fast. Very fast. Liverpool are not sleeping. They’ve signed big names. Florian Wirtz, a superstar in the making. Jeremie Frimpong, one of the best wing-backs in the world. Milos Kerkez, a young and fearless talent. And now they’re even trying to bring in Hugo Ekitike. That’s not all. Arsenal are also serious. Very serious. They’ve been trying to get Viktor Gyokeres. A striker with strength, pace, and goals. A player that could transform Arsenal’s attack into a nightmare for defenders.
So while Manchester City are sitting quietly, not strengthening their midfield, Liverpool and Arsenal are loading their weapons. They’re getting ready for war. And that’s why this City decision looks dangerous. Pep Guardiola has always been a man with a plan. A mastermind. A genius. But this time, people are starting to ask questions. Why is he taking this risk? Why is he not bringing in reinforcements in one of the most important areas of the pitch?
The midfield is the heart of any team. Especially a Pep Guardiola team. And Manchester City’s midfield used to be the best. They had Rodri, the rock. Ilkay Gundogan, the leader. Kevin De Bruyne, the magician. Bernardo Silva, the dancer. But now things are different. Rodri is just returning from an ACL injury. Gundogan is gone. De Bruyne is ageing and facing injuries. Bernardo is being used everywhere. And now, City have decided not to sign another midfielder. That decision, if it goes wrong, could cost them everything.
Rodri is the engine of this Manchester City team. He controls the tempo. He wins the ball. He protects the defence. He builds the attacks. Without him, City suffer. Everyone saw what happened when Rodri was out. The team looked lost. They dropped points. They panicked. Even Phil Foden, who is City through and through, said Rodri is the most important player in the squad. That says everything. But now that he’s coming back from a serious injury, Pep wants to ease him in slowly. He doesn’t want to rush him. But if Rodri is not 100% fit, who replaces him?
That’s the scary part. There is no clear replacement. No natural number six. Mateo Kovacic has played there, but he’s not a defensive midfielder. He’s not Rodri. Bernardo Silva has tried it. But again, that’s not his job. Gundogan used to help, but he’s gone. So who plays that role? That’s the big question. Some fans were hoping for a new signing. A young and powerful midfielder who can shield the backline and allow the others to express themselves. But that’s not happening. City are not signing anyone else in midfield. And that’s why this is being called a risky decision.
There are rumours that Nico Gonzalez could leave the club. Even if he stays, he’s not a natural defensive midfielder. He’s still young. Still learning. And Tijjani Reijnders? He has potential. But he’s more of a box-to-box midfielder. He likes to attack. He’s not the guy you want holding the line when things get tough. Liverpool have Endo and Gravenberch. Arsenal have Declan Rice and Zubimendi. They both have at least two strong options in that key position. But Manchester City? Just Rodri. And that’s a huge gamble.
Imagine if Rodri gets injured again. Or if he’s not the same player he used to be. What then? Who steps up? Who keeps the midfield solid? Who protects the defence from counterattacks? These are the questions haunting City fans. These are the worries that are growing louder. And these are the doubts that could cost them the title.
Even in the number eight role, City don’t look as powerful as they once did. Kevin De Bruyne is still there, but how long can he go on? How many games can his body handle? Mateo Kovacic hasn’t truly taken control. Reijnders looks like the only one who could be special, but he’s still adapting. The truth is, Manchester City’s midfield used to dominate. Now, it looks fragile.
And what’s worse? Liverpool and Arsenal smell blood. They can see that Manchester City are not invincible anymore. They can see that the champions are vulnerable. They can see that this might be their moment. And they’re preparing to take it. Jurgen Klopp is rebuilding his army. Mikel Arteta is sharpening his weapons. They’re coming for the title. And if Manchester City’s midfield can’t hold the line, they might just succeed.
Pep Guardiola is not a fool. He’s a genius. He knows what he’s doing. But even geniuses make mistakes. Even the best managers can take wrong decisions. And this might just be one of them. City fans are praying that Rodri stays fit. That Reijnders becomes world-class. That De Bruyne finds his magic again. Because if things go wrong, they’ll have no one else to blame.
The Premier League is brutal. One small weakness, and your rivals will destroy you. Liverpool and Arsenal have built strong midfields. They’re ready for a fight. But Manchester City? They’ve left themselves exposed. And in a title race where every point matters, that could be fatal.
It’s not just about transfers. It’s about timing. It’s about awareness. It’s about staying one step ahead. That’s how Manchester City became dominant. They used to make bold moves. They used to fix problems before they got worse. But this time, they’re waiting. They’re taking a risk. And it might be too big.
Some fans still believe. They trust Pep. They believe in the squad. They think the decision not to sign another midfielder means the club has something special coming. Maybe a young player ready to explode. Maybe a tactical switch. Maybe a miracle. But others are worried. Deeply worried. Because in a league as tight as the Premier League, you can’t afford to gamble with midfield depth.
This is not the time to relax. Not the time to be silent. Not the time to take risks. Liverpool and Arsenal are serious. They want the crown. They are coming for it. And they’re not going to wait. They’ve done their business. They’ve fixed their weaknesses. They’ve added pace, power, intelligence, and youth. They’re balanced. They’re dangerous. They’re hungry.
Manchester City? They’ve made a decision. A bold one. A risky one. And now, only time will tell if it was the right one. If Rodri stays fit and dominates again, if De Bruyne shines, if Reijnders grows, maybe Pep will look like a genius again. But if the midfield collapses, if the goals stop coming, if the defence is left exposed, this could be the beginning of the end.
Pep Guardiola’s legacy is on the line. Manchester City’s dominance is at risk. And Liverpool and Arsenal are ready to take advantage. The Premier League title race is about to begin. And the team with the strongest midfield might just win it.
