Manchester City are once again closing in on making history as they set their eyes on a historic treble this season.
Futballnews takes a look at four secrets underlying the club’s success in the Premier League this season.
Pep Guardiola team selection
The Manchester City machine this season has been well driven by Pep Guardiola.
The Citizens owe a lot to the Spaniard when it comes to fine-tuning the squad to meet the standard of an intending champion both in domestic and European scene.
Initially, Pep Guardiola grappled to meet the challenge by Arsenal as the Gunners got to a fiery start. It wasn’t that shambolic at Etihad.
They were winning games but were equally struggling to maintain a perfect run to surmount the challenge.
Pundits attributed the lacklustre start to Pep Guardiola’s initial struggle to effectively knit his team around the Norwegian goal poacher, Erling Haaland. The Spaniard needed time to evolve a pattern around the goal machine while retaining a more flexible and free-scoring side.
Pep Guardiola’s genius on selection was obvious following the exit of Joao Cancelo to Bayern Munich on loan, which left him with a left-back void.
After Cancelo exit, Guardiola changed the shape of the squad, allowing a more fluid role for Nathan Ake, who plays more as a left-sided center back with John Stones and Manuel Akanji always used as covers
Rodri was also drafted into the starting lineup regularly while he keeps Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland in every game to wreck havoc.
Cohesive squad and IIkay Gundogan’s leadership
The cohesion inside the Manchester City squad has also impacted the club’s fortunes this season. IIkay Gundogan has been referenced in this regard.
His searing influence in the squad has been recognized by Pep Guardiola who extolled his positive and telling influence in the team. Daily Mail reports IIkay Gundogan always gather the squad in the tunnel before every game and ensure they jog together in unison before any match.
There is also a leadership committee headed by Gundogan with Rodri and Ruben Dias as members. They always undertook motivational sessions to charge up the players.
Premier League charges
On February, Premier League slammed 115 charges on Manchester City for alleged of breach of financial regulations.
The charge has been deemed a factor spurring City for success in the Premier League this season.
The club is yet to record a defeat since they were slammed with the charges. Pep Guardiola was notably furious of the charges and had admitted Manchester City are being treated unfairly by the Premier League. He also blamed other top clubs in the Premier League for ganging up against the club.
It is believed the notion of being hunted by the Premier League and other clubs must have spark a burning desire to shame the accusers.
Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland has been an intimidating bulwark in Manchester City attack against the toughest of defenses. He has led the Manchester City charge for a treble, scoring week-in and week-out.
The Norwegian goal machine has nudged in a record 51 goals for the club in his debut season to oil the club’s treble-chasing campaign.
