Where it’s all going wrong for City, from no Rodri to ageing team since Treble?

PEP GUARDIOLA warned during the pre-season tour of the US that the start of the season would be a challenge.

As usual, he was right, although he probably didn't expect such a disastrous run of five consecutive defeats.

Guardiola admits a few problems at the start of the season have gradually worsened – leading to the worst result of his tenure at the weekend, a 4-0 home defeat to Spurs and sparking rumors of a crisis at the Etihad.

Here, Sunsport takes a deep dive into what exactly is going wrong for the four-in-a-row champions and what they need to do to get back on track.

RODRI

Ironically, he was back at the Etihad on Saturday to show off his Ballon d'Or – but the Spaniard must have been shocked by what he saw.

The 28-year-old has been at the heart of City's recent success and as the newly voted best player in the world, any team would miss him.

There was a reason why Guardiola picked him every week – just ask Kalvin Phillips – and they are not the same without him.

Before his crusade against Arsenal in September, City put in 20 minutes and they haven't come close since.

They have to find a way to live without him since he isn't coming back this season.

OTHER INJURIES

It's not just Rodri they've missed. Oscar Bobb was the standout star of City's pre-season and was tipped for great things, but then broke his leg in training.

In addition, more established stars such as Ruben Dias, John Stones, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish have missed important matches.

Then there is the absence of Kevin De Bruyne – such a talisman for City for so long.

Just five starts this season due to fitness issues have led to fears this could be the beginning of the end for the brilliant Belgian, 33.

GETTING OLD TOGETHER

Guardiola himself said it at his press conference on Friday: he has twelve players in his squad who are over 30, before emphasizing that it does not necessarily have to be a problem.

Several of them are assured of their place in city folklore because of what they have achieved in recent years, but have the club let their hearts rule?

They have looked leggy and lacking in energy this season, while injuries have cropped up – as is often the case with older players.

If Pep stays for another two and a half years, some big decisions will have to be made.

He hasn't shunned them before and he has to do it again because an overhaul is needed.

HUNGER

City released a documentary this week called “Together: Four in a Row”, which showed some of Guardiola's epic dressing room rants.

In one, he tells his players: “There's a reason why no one has played four Premier Leagues in a row: it's because it's so difficult.”

As usual, it worked because his players were the first to do it.

But what now? Can this same group continue to find it in themselves to do it again?

The signs so far are that motivation and hunger may have dropped a few notches, and in Prem you can't afford that.

FATIGUE

Phil Foden admitted he felt exhausted after playing brilliantly for his club last season and then helping England to the Euro 2024 final.

And he was probably not the only one, as no club had more players on international duty this summer than City.

It was a scratch team that went to America for preparation and Pep must have known deep down that this was coming.

His players have gone the extra mile for him time and time again, but at the moment it seems like they are out of control.

TRANSFERS

Jeremy Doku, Matheus Nunes, Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, Savinho and Ilkay Gundogan.

Those are the players City have signed since they won the treble – and how many of them have been a success?

Gvardiol certainly did – despite a few slips on Saturday – and Kovacic was also a useful addition.

But we're still waiting on the rest – while Gundogan, 34, appears to be a shadow of the player he was before his year at Barcelona.

Meanwhile, they let Cole Palmer and Julian Alvarez leave – not to mention Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte.

They would all have been useful to have on hand during these difficult few weeks.

Guardiola still insists his side are exceptional when everyone is available. But that's not the case and cracks are starting to appear.

OBJECTIVES

Erling Haaland will always score them – and already has fifteen this season.

But he also misses many opportunities – and despite the result, he could easily have gone home with the match ball on Saturday.

To make that even more complicated, there aren't many others participating.

In the Prem, Gvardiol and Kovacic have three each and John Stones has two.

To make matters worse, on the other side, they give in too easily.