Manchester City’s rise to the top of the Premier League table hasn’t shocked Premier League fans but there are a handful of reasons why it has certainly been one of the more intriguing storylines of the early season. Here is a look at the four biggest reasons why City’s rise has been so entertaining so far.
Nothing Has Gone As Planned
The experts that made a case for City as a legitimate Premier League title contender would have pointed to their top striker Sergio Aguero, midfielder David Silva and a solid and consistent back line as three of the club’s biggest pillars. However, despite their success, that hasn’t been the case at all. Aguero started the season slow before suffering a hamstring injury, Silva has been sidelined with an ankle sprain and manager Manuel Pellegrini has constantly switched up the combinations he has used in the back four looking for a sustainable fit. Nothing has gone as planned for City early on and that is the biggest reason their rise has been so fun to watch.
Amazing Depth Up Front
Part of the reason they have been able to win games despite things not going as planned is their incredible depth, particularly up front where they have managed to succeed with Aguero out and his replacement Wilfried Bony failing to step up in his absence. Raheem Sterling has found his form since making the move from Liverpool while Kevin De Bruyne has been a man on a mission as he looks to prove his detractors wrong. Bony has chipped in with two goals up front while even Kelechi Iheanacho has managed to find the back of the goal. As a team, Manchester City has compiled a total of 24 goals in 10 games (2.4 per outing), which is the highest mark in the EPL. Only two other team have even reached the 20-goal mark. They have also scored five or more goals in three of their last five contests.
Silva’s pending return should provide an additional spark but right now, City’s attacking depth has been one of the reasons they have been so entertaining to watch.
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Incredible Pace
With so many injuries and such a close title race early on, it would have been easy for Pellegrini to bring his players in and play a more composed, deliberate style. However, that hasn’t been the case at all with City playing with incredible pace early on. The depth they have up front has allowed them to play with a relentless attacking style and it seems like this team is keen on lining up and proving they can outscore their opponents every time out.
It will be interesting to see if adjustments are made as the season goes on but right now, City’s attacking style has made them that much more fun to watch and their defense is doing their job too.
Uncertainty At The Back
While the offense has been fairly consistent, the constant chances on the back line have been the results of an inability to find the right fit with no grouping playing together in more than six contests. Vincent Kompany has played for his home country against Pellegrini’s wishes while Eliaquim Mangala has been either excellent or terrible – depending on the match – and Martin Demichelis has come on of late. Most optimists will say that their defense has actually held up quite well as they have allowed a total of just eight goals so far this season. No team in the EPL has allowed less than City. They’ve been airtight of late as they’ve allowed one goal or less in six straight games (including international play).
However, City opened the season with five straight clean sheets but have not recorded a single one since then. The fact that they have managed to win games despite the inconsistency on the back line has made them that much more fun to watch.
