Man City gulf highlights major problem for the Premier League champions

There has been a notable drop off in the number of goals from Man City’s inverted forwards in the team. The three-pronged attack of Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane was one of the very best in the world.

They helped City manager Pep Guardiola win his first two Premier League titles - the second, part of a domestic treble.

The Spaniard signed Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City for the 2018-19 campaign to add extra firepower to his forward line.

Of all three, the lowest-scoring return was from Sane in 2016-17 when he just missed out on double figures. Jeremy Doku scored just six in all competitions last season, and he is sitting on the same number this term.

Summer signing Savinho has scored just once in 28 appearances - in a 2-0 victory at Leicester City who are a place above the relegation zone.

Neither Jack Grealish nor Phil Foden could be categorised as wingers, but the latter did end his league goal drought.

He scored City’s consolation when they lost 2-1 at Aston Villa on December 21, and has since added another six - including most recently against Chelsea.

Unlike his wingers, Guardiola had no such problems replacing his centre-forward with Erling Haaland as the long-term replacement for Aguero.

But his decision to sell Julian Alavrez - who fulfilled the ‘Gabriel Jesus role’ - has backfired with no alternative when it is not working for Haaland.

Doku and Savinho are still young, and raw and could be fundamental to the success of City 2.0 under Guardiola.

The arrival of Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt this transfer window - whose debut was promising - will somewhat relieve the pressure.