By Arsham Pirouzmehr
Chelsea may have the title of being the best team in the world after winning the FIFA Club World Cup, but in terms of sheer quality, that status should belong to Manchester City.Pep Guardiola’s side showed once again how talented they are, winning 5-0 away to Sporting Lisbon to practically cement their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a goalless draw at the Etihad enough to guarantee this.The Champions League title has eluded City thus far, but there is plenty of evidence to show that they are the best team in the world, regardless of whether they win it.City took the lead against Sporting after just seven minutes, thanks to Riyad Mahrez’s goal. City went into the halftime break with a 4-0 lead thanks to Bernardo Silva’s brace and Phil Foden’s goal. With a fantastic strike in the second half, Raheem Sterling added a fifth goal.
That being said, most teams have at least one area where they can improve, but that isn’t the case with City.Guardiola has put together a team that is strong in all areas. Previously, critics harped on City’s lack of choices at centre forward, but Guardiola and Man City have rendered that argument meaningless by scoring at will. City’s use of the false nine, as well as the constant interchange and movement in attack, makes it extremely difficult to defend against, with opposing players frequently dragged out of position. Guardiola’s men have scored 98 goals in all competitions so far this season, and there’s no reason to believe that pace will slow anytime soon. Guardiola’s use of players in various positions is one of its attacking strengths. At City, his players are so accustomed to the system that they can easily switch between roles.For example, against Sporting, John Stones, who is usually a reliable centre back, was deployed at right back and performed admirably for the hour he was on the field. Joao Cancelo is capable of playing either fullback position.
Meanwhile, many of City’s midfielders can contribute significantly both defensively and offensively.Now to the final fact, we can see that man city have played without a striker for about a year now and are still the best team when it comes to offensive attacks. Moreover, team pep has shown us how we can play without a striker. As a result, he has illustrated that he is indeed one of the best premier league managers of all time. Perhaps only short in achievements to Sir Alex Ferguson.
Since the Spaniard arrived at Man City he has won us 10 trophies or more in the amount of time Pep has been with us. He has still kept us in all the big competitions and he still has the motivation and desire to attain more success. And one piece of evidence of this is the champions league. He took us to the quarter finals, semi finals and then to the final but unfortunately we lost the chance to win the Champions League in 2021. But this year it might be Pep’s chance to win the Premier League and Champions League.
For all those who were concerned at City’s 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park this past Monday, I say this: no Man City fan should be worried about the draw with Crystal Palace. On the 10th of April we are going against Liverpool. We can stop them from pulling the title away from us.
At this moment, it is a single point difference between Liverpool and us (Man City) but we it is all down to us being victorious over the scousers. My message is simple, Man City fans, keep up your heads and say your prayers for the sky blues to win both titles in May!
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