After another miserable showing, Pep Guardiola has to be bold and give his senior players a kick up the backside. It’s time to introduce youthful energy into the Manchester City team, either through the January transfer window or throwing in the fittest, hungriest players already at the club.
![[City's team lack hunger on the pitch and they could solve that by adding youth to their team]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/21/19/93387785-14217269-image-a-20_1734808614683.jpg)
If Pep’s line-ups don’t change, City’s results won’t change and they won’t be in the Champions League next season, let alone dreaming of trophies. Aston Villa were outstanding yesterday but City’s tried and trusted — the players who have experienced so much glory — loped about as if they were feeling sorry for themselves.
![[Young midfielder James McAtee has barely had a chance in the City first-team this season]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/21/19/93387797-14217269-image-a-21_1734808653944.jpg)
City lacked urgency on and off the ball. They created little and made it easy for Villa to play between the lines — a disastrous combination. Pep’s front five were a huge problem. There wasn’t enough movement and runs in behind when in possession, and a real lack of tenacity without the ball.
![[Former City academy star Morgan Rogers produced a scintillating display against his old side]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/21/19/93387801-14217269-image-a-22_1734808707795.jpg)
Pep Guardiola's side fell to a shocking ninth defeat in their last 12 games in all competitions. City's team lack hunger on the pitch and they could solve that by adding youth to their team. Ageing stalwarts like Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan weren’t capable of stemming the Villa tide. Erling Haaland looked exhausted.
In the circumstances, it’s bewildering to me that Jeremy Doku and Savinho – who do have athleticism — didn’t start, or younger players like James McAtee haven’t been given a chance. They couldn’t do any worse. When Villa signed Amadou Onana and Morgan Rogers from Everton and Middlesbrough, there wasn’t any great fanfare, yet City would love their type in their own team right now. It’s ironic that Rogers started out at the City academy yet, like Cole Palmer, has had to move on to get his chance.
