The Manchester City rebuild needs time to come together which was on display against Tottenham | OneFootball

Manchester City went down to a frustrating 2-nil defeat to Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium yesterday. Pep Guardiola’s side had their moments, but Thomas Frank’s side were too well organised defensively and seized upon two costly errors from John Stones and James Trafford to leave the Etihad with three points. But looking at the Manchester City performance and starting eleven, it is clear that City’s rebuild is a work in progress and will take time to come together.

Pep Guardiola picked a young starting lineup against Tottenham yesterday.

There was a youthful look to the starting eleven that Pep Guardiola selected for yesterday’s match. As per statistics sourced from Sofascore, the average age of Manchester City’s starting lineup was 24.5 years. That is one of the youngest starting lineups that Pep Guardiola has utilised in his time as Manchester City manager. James Trafford, Rico Lewis, Nico, Oscar Bobb, and Rayan Cherki are all 23 or younger.

Watching City play yesterday, you could see that this team needs experience playing together in the Premier League. At times, City tried to force the issue rather than control the game until the gaps in the Tottenham defence opened up. That trait will come for Pep Guardiola’s new look side in time.

However, there was experience in the Manchester City starting lineup yesterday. Ruben Dias, John Stones, Tijjani Reijnders, Omar Marmoush and Erling Haaland are all experienced professionals. But each player mentioned wasn’t at their best yesterday, which didn’t aid Manchester City’s cause. Rayan Ait-Nouri’s injury didn’t help matters either. You combine the youth in Manchester City’s starting lineup with the experienced players not being at their best, and a result like yesterday’s can occur.

This Manchester City squad will need time to grow together.

Speaking after his team’s defeat to Tottenham, Pep Guardiola said that his team remains a work in progress. The Manchester City manager explained that there were aspects of his team’s performance he was happy with, but his new-look squad needs time to develop the connections needed to prosper. Guardiola explained post-game: “I don’t have doubts. Last season, we didn’t achieve but in the training, we were really good.”

“In the pressure, we missed simple things, and then we create enough chances, but it’s happened, it’s football.”

“It’s just the second game. Last game against Wolves, everyone said everything it’s fine, and I said it’s just one game and a lot is going to happen.”

“I know how we are working and what the players are doing. There are many good things, but we have to improve.”

“Step by step, we will improve and make more connections.”

Yesterday’s result and performance were a disappointing one from a Manchester City point of view. Coming out of the game, Pep Guardiola’s side was beaten by a well-organised Tottenham side that deserved their victory. Looking at Manchester City’s performance, you can see that City’s rebuilt squad needs time to come together. That stood out as yesterday’s match progressed but it is only two games into a new season so it isn’t all doom and gloom for Manchester City.