What’s the secret behind Manchester City’s success this season with a 19-game winning streak? It’s amazing, right? Let’s find out.
Manchester City is by far the most in-form side in Europe currently. The English giants are on a 19-game winning streak in all competitions and are set for their third league title in four years amid their incredible run.
Similarly, City has the chance of ending their Champions League hoodoo following their 2-0 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League. Also, City is in the Carabao Cup final. Here, they are most likely to win it for a fourth consecutive time, while progressing to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
So, what’s the secret behind the massive success?
When asked the reason behind Manchester City’s outstanding success, coach Guardiola gave a light-hearted yet simple response while admitting that their fortunes are down to having a “lot of money”.
Drawing from their win over Gladbach in the Champions League, Guardiola downplayed his coaching skills. He was honest to concede that the City’s wealth (the club owned by the oil and gas-rich emirate of Abu Dhabi) gives them an enormous advantage.
“We have a lot of money to but a lot of incredible players”. Said Guardiola.
“It’s true. Without good quality players, we cannot do it. The humanity of this group, the players are fantastic and have an incredible relationship. They play every game thinking of only winning”.
“Today, enjoy the night and then think about playing West Ham. When people talk about the second leg, it is in three weeks. So now, the next target is West Ham. That is all I am concerned with”.
Manchester City’s Total Cash Spent
Over the past 20 years, City has spent almost an eye-watering £2billion on the world’s best players, with billionaire Sheikh Mansour playing a huge part after buying the club in 2008.
Since Guardiola joined as manager in 2016, City has forked out almost £700m – signing the likes of Riyad Mahrez (£60m), Bernardo Silva (£43m), Leroy Sane (£37m), Gabriel Jesus (£27m), Ikkay Gundogan (£21m) and Rodri (£65m) to boost their attacking fortunes.
But it is in defense where City have specifically spent big, with Ruben Dias the latest big-money signings arriving at the club in a £64m deal.
Dias, along with the likes of Kyle Walker (£54m), Aymeric Laporte (£57m), Joao Cancelo (£55m), Nathan Ake (£40m), Benjamin Mendy (£52m), John Stones (£47.5m) and Danilo (£27m), have been brought in recently.
And in goal, Guardiola has splashed out on Ederson for £35m as well as Claudio Bravo for £17m but the latter’s spell in Manchester certainly didn’t go to plan.
And despite the financial effects of the coronavirus pandemic, City’s ease at spending big doesn’t appear to be coming to an end anytime soon as they look to continue their dominance in England and finally end their European hoodoo.