In the space of six days before the international break, Manchester City went from sifting through what looked like the wreckage of the season to breathing new life into the final weeks of their campaign.
Two defeats to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, either side of more dropped Premier League points at West Ham United, put a significant dent in City’s trophy ambitions.
But then came victory over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final and, suddenly, the next two months feel alive again. It wasn’t just the result at Wembley; it was the performance, too. In the second half, City looked sharp and energetic. Arsenal appeared lacklustre and apprehensive — whether because of Mikel Arteta’s instructions or just the pressure of the occasion. Either way, it felt like a significant moment.
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Speaking in the Wembley media theatre afterwards, Pep Guardiola tried to play down the impact it could have on their Premier League title bid. In another interview, match winner Nico O’Reilly went off-script and said City could “smell blood.”
If nothing else, Guardiola and his players will return to the club this week rejuvenated ahead of the final run-in.
It starts with an FA Cup quarterfinal against Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, followed a week later with a crucial league game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Then comes Arsenal’s visit to the Etihad on April 19 in a fixture which could ignite the title race or effectively crown Arteta’s side — already nine points clear at the top — as champions-in-waiting.
It’s a run of three games which will decide whether the Carabao Cup final is the highlight of City’s season, or if there’s possibly more silverware to come.
Whatever happens on the pitch, it will be played out against a backdrop of uncertainty.
Guardiola, according to ESPN sources, has used the international break to think about his future. The 55-year-old has another year left on his contract at the Etihad, but few at City would be surprised if he calls it quits in the summer.
City bosses, including chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and CEO Ferran Soriano, have always given Guardiola time and space when making big decisions about his career. Sources have told ESPN that the same is true this time, although there is a feeling internally that it’s reaching the point at which Guardiola needs to confirm his plans one way or the other.
It’s going to be a complicated summer with the World Cup having an impact on player recruitment, and City need enough time to secure a new manager if Guardiola decides to leave.
City pride themselves on their succession planning and there have already been exploratory talks with relevant parties to discover who might be interested. Still, until Guardiola makes his final decision, the club is in something of a holding pattern.
Other changes are on the horizon.
Bernardo Silva hasn’t officially informed the club he’s leaving at the end of the season, but the expectation is that he will. Out of contract in the summer, he’s ready for a new challenge after nine years in Manchester. Only 31 and boasting an exemplary fitness record he will have his pick of clubs.
John Stones, another veteran of Guardiola’s winning machine, is also set to be a free agent in June.
Meanwhile, Rodri has spent the international break flirting with Real Madrid. He’s got a year left on his contract and talks are expected with the club over the summer. City have been aware of his ambition to one day return to Spain for a while, but there are doubts about whether Real Madrid are actually interested — it would go against Los Blancos’ recent transfer policy to sign a player who will turn 30 in June and is still feeling the effects of a serious knee injury.
Midfield is a priority area for City ahead of the transfer window — Elliot Anderson is one target — although it’s not been prompted by serious doubts about Rodri. Stoking transfer talk could simply be a ploy from the the Spain midfielder to negotiate better terms on a new deal.
On top of everything else, City are still waiting to discover the verdict in their legal battle with the Premier League.
As far as recruitment ahead of next season goes, club bosses are insisting it’s business as usual. The January signings of Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guéhi are being held up as proof that even in a period of relative uncertainty, City can still attract in-demand players. Semenyo and Guehi, according to City, were long-term targets brought forward because of their availability in January. They’ve had an immediate impact. Of the nine games they’ve started together, City have lost only one — the 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid at the Bernabéu.
With Guehi and Semenyo on contracts until 2031, Gianluigi Donnarumma until 2030 and Erling Haaland tied down until 2034, City believe they can survive high-profile departures — including, potentially, Guardiola.
Questions about what comes next are on ice until City’s season is officially over. For now, the focus is on games against Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal which will decide whether there’s any more silverware to sit alongside the Carabao Cup.
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