It could be worse. The last time Manchester City were outside the top four in the new year was just four years ago, when they were way back in eighth place, with Liverpool riding high at the top – and they still came back to win the title with a difference of twelve points. .
Of course, the gap with Liverpool was only seven points at the time, where it is now fourteen. And City haven't been nearly as lost as they look this season, even after breaking their winless run with a 2-0 win over Leicester on Sunday.
Very few would bet on them turning this around and claiming a fifth straight league title, but if anyone did…
What does City need?
City were due to renew their selection in the coming period, but the need for this has increased after the form of the past two months.
Pep Guardiola has hinted in recent weeks that new faces would bring short-term benefit to an ailing team, but has since stressed that potential signings should be made with a view to success over a number of years, not just in the first few year. here and now.
It's clear that City need new blood in central midfield and, given the carousel of injuries in the backline, some defensive reinforcement. The pressure on Erling Haaland is greater than ever before and they are also looking for a striker. There is also talk within the industry about a search for a goalkeeper.
Do they have money to spend?
The short answer is yes. City's latest annual report, published earlier this month, revealed a profit of £73.8m on last year – and that doesn't include the £64m initial fee Atletico Madrid received for Julian Alvarez in August.
City's net spend on transfers over the past five years is significantly lower than that of rivals, and with a rebuild already planned, money has been earmarked for business.
Figures within the football world are eagerly awaiting how much will be spent, given the backdrop of a hearing with the Premier League into alleged financial breaches, and believe this will provide some indication of City's confidence in the matter – something the club itself would understandably deny.
Which players are they interested in?
January is not the market City normally shops in, with Aymeric Laporte the last big winter signing in 2018. And the reason for that is that it is a difficult period from a price point of view.
That said, they know there is work to be done. Versatile midfielder Joshua Kimmich, who was out of contract with Bayern Munich this summer, had long dreamed of a move to the Premier League. Mail Sport have reported that Atalanta's Brazilian Ederson has been monitored by City. Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton has admirers.
Although both Martin Zubimendi and Bruno Guimaraes have also been discussed, City last week took steps to rule out their possible arrival in January. City have also dismissed the idea of a deal for Atletico Madrid's Pablo Barrios, although they are believed to have previously debated a move for the Spain international.
There is a buy-back clause in Liam Delap's contract at Ipswich Town, with Lille striker Jonathan David also scoring 19 goals in 28 appearances for club and country this season. Omar Marmoush, 25, at Eintracht Frankfurt could be one to watch after the Egyptian scored 18 goals in 24 appearances for the Bundesliga so far.
Wharton's Palace teammate Marc Guehi is highly favored at centre-back but is likely to be out of reach for any Premier League club in January.
Claudio Echeverri will join Guardiola's squad at the start of this month after sealing a move from River Plate. He is seen as a talent that needs to be coached, rather than having an immediate impact on the team.
Who can leave?
Guardiola has said he does not expect anyone to leave next month. City's squad is thin on the ground and any shortcomings therein are compounded by the endless list of injuries.
However, Tottenham and Newcastle United are believed to be keeping an eye on Jack Grealish's situation, while Ederson had a huge offer on the table from Saudi Arabia last summer that hasn't quite disappeared yet.
Kyle Walker, like Matheus Nunes, is believed to be evaluating his options for the future. Academy graduate James McAtee may feel his future is best served elsewhere after a lack of games, but any departure would have to be dependent on incomes.
Are there any unexpected movements to keep an eye on?
Teenage midfielder Juma Bah, currently on loan to Real Valladolid from AIK Freetong in Sierra Leone, is a name out of left field.
He is 6ft tall and has impressed in La Liga. He would be seen in the same way as Echeverri.
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