Manchester City, one of the most successful football clubs in recent years, has faced a difficult and uncertain season in 2024/25. There has been a palpable sense that something has been missing from their squad, despite some recent improvements in their Premier League form. The team’s struggles have sparked widespread discussions among fans, pundits, and analysts about what has gone wrong for the club. While there have been signs of recovery in recent weeks, the overall picture for Manchester City has been far from perfect.
During the early months of the 2024/25 season, Manchester City experienced a series of disappointing results that made it clear that they would not be able to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title. For a club of City’s stature, that was a significant blow. Their hopes of competing with the likes of Liverpool for top honors seemed to slip away, especially after a spell where they won only one out of nine games, which shattered any lingering aspirations of chasing the title. At the heart of their struggles was a combination of injuries, lack of squad depth, and a failure to replace key players effectively.
In particular, the injury to star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne was a major factor in City’s inability to maintain their usual high level of performance. The Belgian playmaker has long been the creative force behind much of Manchester City’s attacking play, and his absence left a huge void in the team’s midfield. De Bruyne’s vision, passing range, and ability to dictate the tempo of the game were sorely missed, leaving City with fewer options in the middle of the park to control games.
Additionally, the summer transfer window failed to yield the kind of signings that many fans and pundits had expected to bolster the squad. With several key players leaving, including Riyad Mahrez, there was a feeling that the club would need to bring in replacements to maintain their status as one of Europe’s elite teams. However, the signings made in the summer and during the January transfer window did not seem to provide the same impact that fans had hoped for. New recruits, such as Jeremy Doku and Savinho, have struggled to live up to the expectations set for them.
As the 2024/25 season has progressed, Manchester City’s ambitions have shifted. No longer can they realistically expect to challenge for the Premier League title. Instead, their focus has turned to securing a top-four finish and ensuring qualification for the Champions League next season. In a sense, this is a significant step back for a club that has dominated both domestically and internationally in recent years. The pressure is now on Pep Guardiola and his coaching staff to find a way to turn things around and restore the club to its former glory.
One of the biggest criticisms of Manchester City’s squad this season has been their inability to replace some of the key players who have left in recent seasons. In particular, the departure of Riyad Mahrez to Al-Ahli in 2023 has left a noticeable gap in City’s attacking options. Mahrez, who had been a key figure in City’s success over the past few years, was known for his creativity, flair, and ability to score goals from the wing. His departure to Saudi Arabia raised many eyebrows, especially given the level of influence he had in the team.
Paul Merson, a prominent football pundit, has been vocal in his assessment of Manchester City’s failure to properly replace Mahrez. Merson pointed out that while the club did try to replace him with the signings of Jeremy Doku and Savinho, neither of these players has been able to replicate the impact that Mahrez had on the pitch. Doku, a young and promising winger, has shown flashes of potential, but he has not yet delivered consistently at the level that Mahrez did during his time at the Etihad. Similarly, Savinho, who arrived with much fanfare, has yet to make a significant impact in the Premier League.
Merson’s comments reflect a growing concern among Manchester City fans and analysts that the club’s recruitment strategy has not been as successful as in previous seasons. While Doku and Savinho may have potential, it is clear that they have not yet filled the void left by Mahrez. This has been a problem for City, as their attacking play has lacked the same sharpness and unpredictability that Mahrez brought to the team. Without a player who can consistently break down defenses and create scoring opportunities from wide areas, City’s attack has appeared more one-dimensional.
In his assessment, Merson also expressed his doubts about some of City’s more recent signings, such as Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khusanov. Marmoush, an attacking midfielder who joined from the Bundesliga, has shown promise but will likely need time to adjust to the pace and intensity of the Premier League. Khusanov, a player brought in from a lesser-known league, has struggled to make an impact and appears to be out of his depth at the moment. For a club of City’s stature, the inability to secure immediate impact from these signings has been a disappointment.
Merson’s comparison of the current City squad to the team of a few years ago highlights how much the club has changed. He reminisced about the days when City had a player like Julian Alvarez as an understudy to their key attackers. Alvarez, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, was seen as a reliable backup option capable of stepping up when needed. His presence in the squad gave City much-needed depth, and he could be relied upon to make an impact when called upon. Merson’s comments suggest that City’s current squad lacks that same level of depth and quality in reserve.
Moreover, Merson pointed out that Riyad Mahrez’s departure left a hole in City’s attack that has not yet been adequately filled. Mahrez’s ability to score goals and create assists from the right-wing position was a crucial part of City’s success in recent years. His technical ability and composure in front of goal made him one of the most dangerous wide players in Europe. The fact that City has not been able to replace him with a similarly effective player has been a significant issue for the team this season.
Looking at Mahrez’s record at Manchester City further highlights his importance to the club. The Algerian winger made 236 appearances for City, scoring 78 goals and providing 56 assists. These statistics demonstrate his contribution to the team over the years and underscore why his departure has been so difficult to replace. Mahrez’s versatility and ability to perform in big games were key factors in City’s success, and his absence has been felt throughout the season.
When Mahrez moved to Al-Ahli in 2023 for a transfer fee of £30 million, many were surprised by the timing of his departure. Despite being 33 years old, Mahrez was still a key player for Manchester City, and there were arguments that he could have stayed at the club for a few more seasons. However, as is often the case with big clubs, players are moved on quickly to make way for younger, more dynamic talents. This decision, while understandable from a financial standpoint, has left City with a squad that lacks a natural replacement for Mahrez’s skill set.
The departure of Mahrez is part of a broader trend at Manchester City where the club has shown a willingness to let key players leave in favor of younger recruits. While this approach has often worked in the past, as seen with players like Kevin De Bruyne, the club has been unable to replicate the same level of success with their new signings in recent seasons. The recruitment process, while ambitious, has not always yielded the desired results.
In the wake of Mahrez’s departure, Manchester City is left in a difficult position. While they still have a wealth of talent in their squad, the lack of depth and quality in certain areas has been exposed during the 2024/25 season. The club will need to address these issues in the upcoming transfer windows to ensure that they can compete at the highest level once again.
One potential avenue for City to explore is the summer transfer window, where they could make significant moves to strengthen their squad. Given the club’s financial resources and their history of successful signings, it is likely that they will invest in new players who can provide the necessary depth and quality to help the team get back on track. Whether or not they can find a player who can match Mahrez’s contributions remains to be seen, but the club must act quickly to avoid falling further behind their rivals in both domestic and international competitions.
In conclusion, Manchester City’s struggles during the 2024/25 season can be attributed to a variety of factors, including injuries, lack of squad depth, and the failure to properly replace key players like Riyad Mahrez. While the team has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, the club’s recruitment strategy has come under scrutiny, and there are growing concerns about the lack of immediate impact from new signings. Moving forward, City will need to find a way to address these issues if they are to return to their dominant form and compete for the top honors once again. With the right investments and a bit of luck, Manchester City could soon be back at the summit of European football, but for now, they find themselves in a period of transition.
