Pep Guardiola broke down the simple method behind the complexities of his job as an all-conquering manager at the end of his time in Barcelona: “All I do is study my arsenal and pick the ones I need for each occasion.”
Manchester City’s boss wasn’t entirely faultless with his selection throughout the month of September as the perennial Premier League champions were held to draws by Inter, Arsenal and Newcastle United. While qualification for the latter stages of the new-look Champions League is very much in City’s hands, they have already lost ground in the Premier League to early table-toppers, Liverpool.
Despite the dropped points, City remain unbeaten. Based on the votes of more than 30,000 fans in a poll on 90min’s dedicated Manchester City WhatsApp channel (link to follow below), here are the members of Guardiola’s arsenal who were firing on all cylinders throughout September.
Savinho shocked La Liga last season with a string of penetrative performances from the flanks of a Girona outfit which finished above lofty Atletico Madrid in third place. The Brazilian’s boss in Catalonia, Michel, lauded his star forward as “the most surprising talent” in the division.
Guardiola has not been taken aback by his £33.7m recruit. As the demanding coach sniffed after Savinho’s impressive debut against Chelsea in August: “I always expect the best.” The slippery winger, who technically moved to City from second-tier French side Troyes this summer, has come close to living up to his manager’s lofty expectations.
It was Savinho’s shimmy infield and perfectly weighted pass which created City’s opener in the thrilling 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Etihad last month. Bernardo Silva was the player who tempted Leandro Trossard into a needless second yellow card that afternoon, delivering another display on the biggest occasion which showcased his craft and cunning in equal measure.
Silva has been Guardiola’s luxury utility player for years, popping up in defensive midfield, on either flank or as a number 10 depending on the demands of the team as a whole. Such a strong collective work ethic is captured by the tattoo on his left bicep which reads: “E pluribus unum” – a Latin phrase that translates as “Out of many, one”.
Erling Haaland may comfortably be considered Manchester City’s player of September – gobbling up more than 70% of the vote – but he began the month with a light-hearted scalding from his manager.
Guardiola joked he was “so grumpy” with his number nine for only scoring twice in a nervy 2-1 victory over Brentford. Haaland had finished August with consecutive Premier League hat-tricks and was on the verge of becoming the first player to rack up a triple treble in England’s top flight since 1946.
The burly striker was shut out completely during a cagey goalless stalemate with Inter in City’s Champions League opener before breaking the deadlock against Arsenal. Haaland’s popularity extends beyond the club’s fanbase, as after that 0-0 draw with the Serie A champions, Inter’s Francesco Acerbi asked his opponent for two shirts. The request was robustly rebuffed.
Erling Haaland’s Man City stats in September
|
Stat |
Value across all competitions |
|---|---|
|
Games |
4 |
|
Goals |
3 |
|
Assists |
0 |
|
Shots |
20 |
|
Player |
September appearances |
Poll votes (proportion) |
|---|---|---|
|
Erling Haaland |
4 |
23,825 (72.2%) |
|
Savinho |
5 |
5,569 (16.9%) |
|
Bernardo Silva |
4 |
1,864 (5.6%) |
|
Other |
N/A |
1,755 (5.3%) |
