Manchester City are in this season’s title race up to their eyeballs. Pep Guardiola’s side hold their destiny in their own hands as the 25/26 season enters its penultimate phase. With the number of new players in the City squad, it was expected that this would be a transition season at the Etihad. In a way, it still is. But rather than battling to fight for a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League, as sides in transition typically do, Pep Guardiola’s side are fighting for honors on four fronts. Due to this, it is forgotten that City are in the midst of a rebuild. Comments from Marc Guehi after his team’s 2-1 win over Newcastle show the task in front of this new-look City side.
Marc Guehi, like many of his teammates, is learning on the job at Manchester City.
Speaking after Manchester City’s important win over Newcastle, Marc Guehi explained just how much he is learning playing at Manchester City and under Pep Guardiola. Guehi’s response when speaking on life at City after arriving at the club from Crystal Palace during last month’s transfer window were quite telling. He explained: “It’s a top club. Since I came here, everyone has been so welcoming – players and staff. I have had to change my game completely. I am learning every day. When to pass the ball, committing players – so many aspects I am learning on the job. It’s been great because I have had a lot of help.”
“How you see Pep on TV is what he is like – passionate, intense and a winner. He wants to play his way. I am just glad I have the opportunity to be here.”
Marc Guehi’s comments do highlight a forgotten aspect of this City team.
It has been forgotten recently just how many Manchester City players are learning the Pep Guardiola way this season. Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo are the two most recent examples. The pair arrived at the club during the January transfer window. Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and even Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khusanov can be factored into this equation. Manchester City’s newer players are learning and contending for honors at the same time. There is no room for error in terms of results for Pep Guardiola’s side. At the same time, learning the City way does come with the opportunity for errors to happen during a match. The fact that Pep Guardiola’s side can rely on their spirit and teamwork to overcome this speaks volumes about what Guardiola and his team are building.
This Manchester City side is learning on the job while playing under the extreme pressure that comes with contending in multiple competitions. Marc Guehi’s comments after Manchester City’s win over Newcastle illustrate this point, and it has been overlooked as the title race takes centre stage as this season continues to develop.