Pep Guardiola has acknowledged Manchester City’s midfield problem and once again grappling with a situation he thought had been left behind after last season’s challenges.
A year ago, City’s structure was destabilised by the long-term absence of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. Now, history has repeated itself, with the Spaniard still dealing with ongoing fitness issues and Mateo Kovacic also unavailable.
The result is a familiar scenario: City leaning heavily on the increasingly indispensable Nico Gonzalez.
The young midfielder has become the glue holding together the Sky Blues’ structure, even as Guardiola continues to shuffle his options in attack and defence.
Gonzalez is currently the only City player to have started each of their last three matches, a sign both of his reliability and the lack of available alternatives.
Many of City’s usual starters were rested for the Champions League defeat to Bayer Leverkusen last week, but Gonzalez was once again called upon at Craven Cottage, where City raced into a 5–2 lead before Guardiola decided he had seen enough and substituted the Spaniard with just under 30 minutes to play.
What followed provided Guardiola with even more cause for concern. Without Gonzalez, Manchester City’s midfield problem was visible almost immediately.
The midfield lost its rhythm, possession became harder to retain, and Fulham – sensing weakness – stepped forward with renewed belief.
The hosts pushed City backwards, wave after wave, with Marco Silva’s side repeatedly pulling Guardiola’s men into uncomfortable defensive positions.
It took a dramatic goalline clearance from Josko Gvardiol in stoppage time to preserve the win, a moment that summed up City’s unease without their makeshift anchor.
Despite the three points, Guardiola was blunt in his assessment. The issue, he said, is no longer avoidable.
“We have a problem. We have three holding midfielders and two injuries for a long time. Rodri will be back soon but Kova will be later,” Guardiola admitted after the match.
“We don’t have anyone and today we prove it. I have to think about it.”
Guardiola explores makeshift solutions to solve Manchester City’s midfield problem
As City chase four trophies. With City still competing on four fronts, the demand on the squad only increases as the season progresses.
Guardiola has built a reputation for guiding his teams through intense fixture schedules, but he has also been clear that no player – especially in such a tactically demanding position – can be expected to shoulder every minute.
Gonzalez, exceptional as he has been, cannot be the lone option between now and May. Guardiola indicated he is already probing for tactical adjustments, including players stepping into new or unfamiliar roles.
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“Maybe Nico O’Reilly can play there and Rayan Ait-Nouri or Nathan can play left-back,” he said, discussing potential reshuffles that would free up more midfield cover.
“Tijjani [Reijnders] can play but he’s more a player for attacking positions, his position is where he scored the goal where he can be unstoppable in pockets. We have to find something.”
While Guardiola is known for inventive solutions, regularly redefining the profiles of players such as John Stones or Bernardo Silva, even he appears wary of how stretched the midfield has become.
The absence of Rodri – a cornerstone of City’s tactical identity – has already altered the team’s fluency.
Without Kovacic, the manager is left with only hybrid or developmental options to fill the most structurally important role in the squad.
The tightrope is visible in recent performances. City have now conceded six goals in their last two Premier League matches, an uncharacteristic figure for a side built on control and composure.