Manchester City‘s recent run of bad form has seen them drop from title favourites to five points off the top spot in just a matter of weeks as Pep Guardiola looks to reimagine his tactical set-up yet again over the coming months.

Four defeats in a row, including a 4-1 hammering away to Sporting CP in the Champions League, have left the Cityzens in unfamiliar territory desperately searching for answers.

Recent news of Guardiola’s contract extension will undoubtedly provide a lift, although a core of ageing players will likely need much more to bring their performances back to the levels they have become accustomed to over the past few seasons.

City opted for a quiet summer transfer window with the ongoing court case against the Premier League swirling over their heads, signing Savinho and Ilkay Gundogan – who ranked at no.1 in FourFourTwo’s list of the best central midfielders in the world right now – for a combined fee of just £30 million.

This was met by a wealth of outgoings, with Julian Alvarez and Joao Cancelo both leaving for big fees as Guardiola begins to overhaul a squad responsible for lifting each of the last four Premier League titles.

Germany captain Ilkay Gundogan raises his thumb during his side’s Euro 2024 match against Switzerland.

Former Premier League and Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer believes that much more needs to be done to get the squad firing on all cylinders once more, taking aim at seven first-team players who could soon be on their way out.

“Looking through their current squad, you’ve got Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan, Kyle Walker, Ederson & even John Stones who are all 30+ years old,” the pundit told Betfair. “So you could argue the bulk of their squad is in a state of natural decline.

“However, you could also argue whether a little bit of their hunger may have also decreased, because a lot of those players have been incredibly successful and I don’t care who or what you are, it’s difficult to keep going again, again and again.

“They’ve done it so many times now so it’s a big ask for them to come back and go again, and only time will tell. They also have the off-field charges that have been put to them as a football club to deal with, and the questions that are going to be asked there too.”

Guardiola’s side welcome bogey team Tottenham Hotspur to the Etihad on Saturday as they look to avoid losing five consecutive games for the first time since the Spaniard’s appointment back in 2016.

The Cityzens cannot afford to lose any more ground on runaway league leaders Liverpool, who currently sit five points ahead after just 11 games this season.

Rodri has said Pep Guardiola‘s contract extension is “an important incentive” for him to continue at Manchester City but left the door open for a transfer to Real Madrid by calling their reported interest “an honour.”

Rodri, who tore his right ACL in September, celebrated the news that Guardiola signed a two-year deal to remain at the Etihad stadium through June 2027.

“It is a joy that Pep has decided to continue,” Rodri, 28, told Cadena Ser radio in Spain. “It’s clear that he has been the most influential coach of my career. It’s a joy for the club and for the Citizens for him to continue for at least two more years. When I signed there [with City in 2019], they told me that Pep would only stay for one or two years…”

When asked about his future, Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, said: “My focus is on my recovery. I have two years left on my contract, the time is approaching to sit down and speak again. It’s clear that it [Guardiola’s contract extension] is an important incentive. I feel very valued at the club. For the time being I’m very happy.”

Rodri, who joined City in the summer of 2019 from Atletico Madrid, in fact, does not rule out ending his playing career at the Etihad even if he is a target of Real Madrid next summer.

Asked if he would consider joining Madrid, Rodri said: “Obviously when Madrid, the best and most successful club in history, calls you, it is an honour. You always have to pay attention. But obviously of course not. I don’t look too far ahead but it’s a possibility that I could perfectly end my career in England.

“It’s a country that has given me everything, I have fallen in love with football there. The club is spectacular, not just from a sporting level but how it’s structured. I feel comfortable and loved there. But Spain is my country. I am always aware of the League, the level of the teams is growing more and more. I’ve been lucky to play in both leagues, to have the best coaches in the world and I feel very satisfied.”

Rodri, who was voted the best player at Euro 2024 after leading Spain to the title, is aiming to return before the end of the season.

“Right now I’m not thinking about football, about winning,” he said. “I’m just thinking about giving myself a chance to recover to regain the level I had before.

Asked if he could return to play in March or April, Rodri said: “Yes. From a mental standpoint, my aim is to play this season. Each year, the seasons are longer. I don’t know how much I will be able to contribute but having the Nations League and the Club World Cup in June and July, I think I will be able to do so.”

The club are second in the Premier League, five points adrift of leaders Liverpool, and are 10th in the Champions League group standings.

“It’s clear that we are going through a negative spell,” Rodri said. “It’s not the first time. If there’s a team that has shown that it can bounce back it’s our team. I have no doubt that we will come out of this. We have a strong team. I’m eager to return in order to give the team encouragement.”

Former Arsenal star Bacary Sagna believes his old team should sign Paul Pogba once he has completed his suspension from football – saying his arrival at the Emirates would “benefit everyone”, as reported by TheSun.

Pogba has not played a competitive game since August 2023 and was handed a four-year ban later that year after he tested positive for a banned substance – subsequently having his contract terminated by Juventus.

But the Frenchman saw his doping ban reduced to 18 months following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, meaning he will be able to return in March 2025.

Sagna – who played with Pogba for the France national team – feels Arsenal should look at the ex-Manchester United star as an option on a short-term deal.

He told Megadice: “I’ve always said that Paul Pogba would be a good addition for Arsenal. I believe he could be an asset to the club. With his creativity, having him on a short-term contract would benefit everyone. It would help Paul get back into football and get him back to full fitness and quality.”

Pogba was seen as one of the world’s best midfielders at his peak, joining Manchester United for £89million in 2016 and winning the World Cup in 2018. However, he suffered from injuries and inconsistency, which led to plenty of criticism from fans and pundits before leaving Old Trafford for Juventus in 2022.

There had been suggestions he could return to Old Trafford for the third time, although they have now been dismissed as he goes in search of his next employers.

Speaking after his ban was reduced, Pogba said: “I’m still the same player but with a different hunger,” he said. “I am more motivated. I am more hungry. “I will appreciate the game more than before after it was taken away from me. I realised how important it was for me. I tasted what life is after the career.”

While Pogba can start training with a club in January, it is unlikely any club would want to sign Pogba until next season given that they would not be able to use him until March – plus he would also be lacking match fitness.

Sagna – who featured 284 times for the Gunners between 2007 and 2014 – was also asked for his top signing he would make for Arsenal if he were in charge and named Sporting Lisbon forward Viktor Gyokeres.

Gyokeres has become one of the most sought-after strikers in football after netting 66 times in the last two seasons, earning him links to Manchester United, with Sagna left raving about his displays.

“I would love Arsenal to sign Viktor Gyökeres, the Swedish striker who plays for Sporting Lisbon,” Sagna added. “He’s amazing, honestly. I didn’t know much about his personality, but after watching him play. Wow! I think he’s amazing.”