Irrespective of who wins the Premier League, the 2024/2025 season will be remembered for Manchester City’s remarkable collapse after winning six English top-flight titles in seven years. City’s fall has been sudden, unexpected, and, most concerningly, shows no signs of slowing down with Pep Guardiola’s men continuing to trend in the wrong direction.
It’s a Long Way Down from the Top
For better context, City started the 2024/2025 campaign as the favorites to win the Premier League at a price of -150, but just five months on, the latest football odds show Guardiola’s side at a staggering +2500 in the outright market.
The city’s current issues extend beyond domestic competition too. On the continent, the latest Champions League odds paint a similar picture of implosion with the Etihad outfit priced at +700 to go all the way, having opened as the favourite in the outright market in the summer.
The reality is that City is unlikely to win any silverware this season and seems poised for sweeping changes next summer in an effort to rejuvenate a stale squad. Among the players who could be on their way out is Jack Grealish, with Guardiola reportedly running out of patience with the attacker.
Guardiola’s Public Dismay
The Spaniard recently hinted that the 29-year-old’s lack of game time stems from concerns over his application in training. This public reprimand isn’t the first instance of Guardiola questioning Grealish’s professionalism, as the City boss previously attributed the attacker’s injury against Copenhagen in the Champions League last season to a lack of fitness. He may have won everything possible at Manchester City… But what we would give to see the Villa version of Jack Grealish back! 🥹
However, Guardiola’s repeated warnings appear to have fallen on deaf ears, with Grealish still struggling to deliver his best form. Remarkably, it has been over a year—and a run of 35 games—since he last scored for City. For a player who cost £100 million ($122 million), this return is simply unsustainable and will undoubtedly be ringing alarm bells in the boardroom.
While Grealish’s potential departure would mark a high-profile exit and invite scrutiny over the club’s decision to break the British transfer record at the time, City will likely be eager to free up his £16 million ($20 million) annual wage to allocate toward their summer rebuild.
However, that may be easier said than done, as Grealish still has two years left on his current City deal. Any potential suitors would essentially need to match his eye-watering wage.
Alternatively, Grealish could either accept a substantial pay cut to start afresh, dig his heels in at City and run down his contract, or aim to hit the heights he reached during the club’s historic treble when his average goal contribution was 0.9 per fixture.
💙💙💙 pic.twitter.com/Lby8daIzqC
— Jack Grealish (@JackGrealish) May 22, 2023
Indeed, Grealish is a significant crossroads, but so are City, who are no longer seeing a return on investment from some of their highest-paid stars.
A Looming Break-Up
Yes, this season will be synonymous with the way City’s dynasty crumbled, but it will also be remembered for the year that the club finally ran out of patience with a man they broke the bank to sign.
Also read: Why Newcastle Can Finish in The Premier League’s Top Four This Season
