Why Manchester City Under Pep Guardiola Won't Collapse Like Last Season

In mid-September 2015, Manchester City went to Crystal Palace and won 1-0 thanks a last-gasp goal from substitute Kelechi Iheanacho. It maintained their 100 per cent start to the season. Five wins from five games, no goals conceded and a goal difference of plus-11.

Experts were lining up to declare City as Premier League champions already, and given the quality of their displays, those assertions didn’t feel misplaced. They had completely outplayed their five opponents and looked comfortably the league’s superior side.

However, whereas that game at Selhurst Park was the launchpad for Iheanacho’s now-burgeoning career, it signalled the start of City’s decline. Manuel Pellegrini could not maintain his side’s start.

By February it was announced that the Chilean would leave at the end of the season, and eventually City limped into fourth place, just ahead of a dishevelled Manchester United. A season that promised so much ended in disappointment.

The similarities between the start City made then and the one they have made this season are stark. Once again they have the full 15 points from 15, and a goal difference of plus-11; they are also the most dominant side in the division once more, playing the best football and looking secure defensively.

Like 12 months ago, pundits are declaring City champions-elect.

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Pep Guardiola is the 2nd manager to win his opening 5 PL games (other was Carlo Ancelotti who won his opening 6) #PL pic.twitter.com/uoJPT1i2dZ

— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) September 17, 2016"

Thierry Henry this week joined the growing band of pundits to declare City title favourites.

“They will keep getting better, it will take something special to stop them being champions,” he told Sky Sports' Super Sunday. "They destroyed Bournemouth and if it wasn't for the mistake of Claudio Bravo against Manchester United they might have had a better second half and the score would have been heavier.”

So what is different about Pep Guardiola’s side? What will make his City stay the course in a way that Pellegrini’s squad couldn’t manage?

Most obviously, their squad now has more strength in depth. Txiki Begiristain, the club’s sporting director—buoyed by Guardiola’s pulling power—has spent big and added options to City’s squad.

The signing of John Stones and the improvement shown by Nicolas Otamendi have gone some way to solving their defensive issues. Ilkay Gundogan, a superb acquisition who cost just £21 million, will revolutionise City’s midfield in time. Leroy Sane and Nolito bring pace and guile, and Gabriel Jesus, when he arrives in January, will increase City’s goalscoring potential.

In basic terms, their options are now more plentiful.

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33 - Kevin De Bruyne has now had a hand in 33 goals in 48 games for Man City in all competitions (18 goals, 15 assists). Wonder.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 17, 2016"

"Last year when Aguero wasn't there to score, nobody was," Henry said. "Everybody can score, they will be difficult to stop." The 25 goals City have plundered in their eight games across all competitions is testament to the former France international's assertion.

Guardiola has turned them from a dispirited, dishevelled side, into one of the most vibrant attacking outfits in Europe. They’re creative, inventive and capable of improvising. Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva have been freed, their ability to create maximised. Sergio Aguero looks to be at his lethal best, and Raheem Sterling has been reborn.

"They are a joy to watch," former City and Sunderland striker Niall Quinn said. "Kevin De Bruyne is setting the place alight. They are doing everything with such pace, the Pep stamp is coming up, they are awesome at the moment.

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Journalist: Can you win the quadruple?
Pep Guardiola: What the f**k?
[via @Sammy_Goal] #MCFCpic.twitter.com/Twrn3XbInN

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) September 19, 2016"

"You can see they buy into what Pep wants, the passing and energy. There is something tangible that they really want this, to bounce back, you get the feeling they want to make up for lost time."

There’s intensity to City’s play that wasn’t there last season. When they have the ball, they’re quick and direct, always looking to hurt the opposition. Without the ball, which is perhaps where their greatest improvement has come, they show incredible desire to win back possession as quickly as possible in areas high up the field. Their opponents cannot settle or establish any rhythm because Guardiola's team are overwhelming them.

According to Opta stats supplied to Bleacher Report, City have run 570.7 kilometres so far this Premier League season, second behind Jurgen Klopp’s gegenpressing Liverpool side. By comparison, over the five games last season, City had clocked up just 532.3km, putting them 16th in terms of distance covered.

Clearly, they are working harder—a surefire way to ensure the chances of drop-off in form are reduced significantly.

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What will we wear away from home in the cups?

Our new 2016/17 third kit! ➡️  https://t.co/kQzpOD0jQM #MCFC pic.twitter.com/gxUBKrtJgv

— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 20, 2016"

Guardiola is known for being a demanding coach with exacting standards. Any dip below the required level is noted and seized upon. The players know that if they want a place in this side, which looks assured of success under the Catalan, they have to perform at their maximum, unlike the dying embers of Pellegrini’s reign that saw players coasting through games.

It’s that healthy level of competition that makes this team a far better proposition than the one they had 12 months ago.

There’s also an obvious improvement in team spirit—as well as a stronger bond between the players and fans. Guardiola has changed the players’ matchday routine, insisting they eat together after games rather than just leaving the stadium of their own accord, and they no longer have to stay in the club’s hotel the night before home matches and are instead free to stay at home and relax with their families.

There’s also been a conscious effort from Guardiola to ensure his players and staff go over to the travelling City fans at the end of away matches to acknowledge their support, something that was seldom happening under the last regime.

The supporters appreciate that, and the away ends this season have been some of the most vocal in the club’s recent history.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

All of which means there’s a feelgood factor at City again. The players are fighting for one another, and the fans again feel valued and part of the process. Everyone is pulling in the same direction.

The first-team squad felt somewhat disjointed at the back end of last season. Pellegrini’s time was done—the players were in need of new ideas and an injection of enthusiasm. The difference it has made has been remarkable.

With Guardiola demanding every ounce of energy from his squad, they will fight for the title this season. Their rivals will need to be much better than they were last year when City’s own profligacy and limitations saw them struggle.

This City is a formidable proposition, led by the finest manager in the game. They will take some stopping.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and follows the club from a Manchester base. All quotes and information were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.