Assessing Manchester City's season so far: Injuries, Chloe Kelly and that Barcelona win
Raphael Adelugba takes a look at Manchester City's season so far as they prepare to return from the winter break
Amidst a difficult injury crisis and frustrating series of results at the end of last year, the WSL winter break has offered much-needed respite for City. Head coach Gareth Taylor and the rest of the squad (minus Alex Greenwood, who remains in Manchester to recover from a knee operation) have travelled out to Abu Dhabi for warm-weather training before returning to action in the Women’s FA Cup against Ipswich Town on 12 January.
Despite the injury issues, it’s not all doom and gloom, as City still start this year second in the Women’s Super League and in the Champions League quarter finals for the first time since 2021.
Here’s what we have learned so far from City’s season and some predictions for the second half of the campaign.
The season so far
After a storming start to the campaign that saw City amass thirteen wins (a draw to Arsenal and Chelsea loss) in the first 15 games, the optimism that the team entered this season with has taken a slight hit. An injury crisis that snowballed at the end of last year has left City’s squad without several key players.
City lost Alex Greenwood, Lauren Hemp, Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw and Vivianne Miedema to injuries at the end of last year. Shaw and Miedema are expected to return early this year. Hemp is still making her way back from knee surgery in November, while Greenwood is only at the start of her recovery from an MCL injury.
The injury issues were compounded by a shock defeat to Everton in December in the WSL and a somewhat inevitable loss to Barcelona which impacted City’s seeding for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
City’s impressive 2-0 victory over European champions Barcelona in October has been highlight of a rollercoaster season so far. Dropped points to Arsenal in their season opener, combined with the defeats to title rivals Chelsea and Everton have left City six points behind leaders Chelsea.
Of course, injuries have been the theme of the discourse, particularly in the losses to Chelsea and Everton, with key attacking fulcrum Hemp absent for both games, but the more striking aspect has been the lack of conviction from the depth options. Mary Fowler and Aoba Fujino tend to blow hot and cold. While 29-year-old Australian defender Alanna Kennedy has been a bone of contention for City fans on social media.
There's no doubt that health has been more of a factor in City’s curtailment than the systematic concerns many had.
What's up with Chloe Kelly?
The omission of Chloe Kelly from most of City’s starting line ups has been equally baffling as concerning—having started only one WSL game this season. The English winger's contract expires this summer and the sub-20-minute cameos have left a move away the only viable solution.
A loan move could be the ideal scenario for both parties as Kelly needs game time ahead of Euro 2025. One to watch this January transfer window.
Biggest surprise of the season
It's a toss-up between that Barcelona win and, you guessed it… the Barcelona win. It was a game that shocked the wider world as a courageous City handed the Champions League holders a second loss in their last 55 competitive games.
The game plan was executed finely as Yui Hasegawa shone, and the coming-of-age performance of young defender Naomi Layzell capped off an incredible night for City.
What do City need in January?
City’s announcement of Sjogran from Rosengard as their newly appointed Director of Football last month came with excitement and expectation.
The Swede, 47, lifted four Damallsvenskan titles as Sporting Director during her time with Rosengard. Her reputation has already borne fruit in the signing of defender Rebecca Knaak from the Swedish outfit on New Year's Day.
“It was helpful for me that I already know Therese. I really trust her and her abilities, so it gives me a good feeling,” said Knaak upon signing.
Knaak will provide much-needed depth for a defence that has been gutted in quality and quantity after Layzell and Greenwood's injuries. The former German youth international proved quite the prolific player with Rosengård, scoring 16 in 48 games.
As for who could join her, arrivals are expected to be subtle; given City’s level and head coach Taylor’s preference for working with a tight squad, it would have to be a market opportunity worth biting on.
“We’re trying [to sign players in January],” Taylor said after the Barcelona defeat. “It’s obviously a difficult market, but we could do with some help because the group have worked really hard; they are giving a lot.”
Expectations for the rest of the campaign
The rest of the season depends on the durability of key personnel. City’s starting XI puts them in the best position to challenge the world’s best, but beyond that, it can get tricky.
Even with a full strength squad, making up a six-point deficit on Chelsea, even with a reverse fixture to come, is a tough task. The chance of success in Europe is more conceivable given the draw-like nature—the same goes for the domestic cups. A major trophy feels like a must as Taylor enters his fifth year in charge.
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Knaak is a good signing for sure.
As a Bristol City fan I was delighted for Naomi Layzell who I think is a great long term signing for Manchester City.
Id love to know what's gone on with Chloe Kelly, surely its some contract offer impasse gone sour? Not even making the bench in the Barcelona game was surely the killer blow here. Even with the mounting injury issues putting a potential loan or transfer in a different light it's hard to see a way back for CK or City currently. I guess if she's starting immediately there may be some chance to re-build but it seems a done deal from here.
For a neutral fan lacking expertise, my view is Man City as a club and the manager need to demonstrate the savoir faire required to recruit, retain and juggle a larger squad of top class players, which is another test of ability and intent. Chelsea and Arsenal seem to (just about) manage this, Manchester United certainly don't, and for me it's this as much as on field performance that will the define this arc of GT's tenure at Man City. Will Sjogran make the difference here?