Theres no denying that its been a difficult season for Manchester City and Pep Guardiola.
The club could end 2024/25 by winning the FA Cup and qualifying for the Champions League but Guardiola has set his standards rather higher than that.
The strain has been visible at times. Guardiola expects the very best from himself and his team. Theyve fallen short this season. The manager knows it and shows it.
Fifth Champions League spot could be Guardiolas saving grace
Manchester City sit in sixth place in the Premier League table, one point behind Newcastle United in the fifth-placed position that now commands a Champions League spot.
Newcastle have the wind in their sails and a game in hand. Crucially, Chelsea in fourth are also a single point ahead of Guardiolas team.
Citys own performance in Europe this season didnt measure up but Englands other teams have handed them a Champions League lifeline.
If he can guide his team to the Champions League once more, its easy to imagine Guardiola approaching next season with fresh zeal.
According to one former City striker, the changing shape of the challenge will ignite Guardiolas competitiveness and the club will benefit.
I think Peps thriving on it at the moment, ex-City star Paul Dickov told Betway.
I know people are saying hes looking stressed, but hes never been in this position before and I know for a fact hes looking forward to building the team and going again.
At the heart of any rebuild will be the unenviable task of replacing the lost impact of midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, whose limited input this season has been no small factor in Citys stagnation.
De Bruyne will leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season and Dickov is under no illusions about the significance of his departure.
Kevin will be a huge factor, added the former Scotland international.
Just his presence in and around the club, but I also think one player doesnt make a team, and with Rodri coming back to that team and squad hes got such an influence on it as well.
It might actually be bigger getting him back than Kevin leaving.
Rodri, who is ranked at no.1 in FourFourTwos list of the best players in the world right now, has been a huge miss for Man City since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in September.
City will take on Crystal Palace in Saturdays early kick-off as Premier League action returns.
