Man City's Alarming January Slump
Manchester City’s opening weeks of 2026 have been nothing less than a “total disaster,” a sharp departure from the “total domination” Marc Guehi once used to describe the club. With only two victories in seven matches since January, both coming in domestic cup competitions, the reigning champions find themselves mired in an extraordinary downturn.
The 3-1 loss to Norwegian underdogs Bodo/Glimt, a team playing in the Champions League proper for the first time and whose squad valuation pales in comparison to Erling Haaland’s alone, stood out as especially humiliating. That setback came on the heels of a “limp defeat” to Manchester United, deepening fans’ frustration.
What makes these results even more staggering is the financial imbalance: Bodo/Glimt’s entire squad is valued at less than a quarter of Haaland’s price tag, while City’s recent transfer spending far exceeds anything the Norwegian side has ever invested.
Marc Guehi: A Timely, Bargain Arrival
In the middle of this chaos, the signing of Marc Guehi for a reported £20 million ($26.8m) from Crystal Palace looks like astute business. Labeled a “ready-made defensive leader,” Guehi adds vital experience and composure to a defense plagued by injuries and erratic performances.
His résumé features captaining Palace to FA Cup success and delivering standout displays for England. City acted swiftly to land him, overcoming competition from heavyweights such as Bayern Munich and even Liverpool, who were said to be close to completing a deal themselves.
When measured against City’s earlier £30m moves for less proven defenders like Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis (currently out on loan), Guehi appears a clear value signing, especially with John Stones’ long-term future still unclear.
More Than Just a Defensive Fix: City's Widespread Issues
While Guehi is expected to reinforce a defense that has grown increasingly vulnerable, leaning heavily on young players such as 21-year-old Khusanov and 20-year-old Max Alleyne — whose mistakes led to two Bodo goals — City’s troubles stretch far beyond the back line.
A glaring leadership gap has opened following the exits of figures like Ederson, Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, and Manuel Akanji. Although Guehi brings leadership, the scale of that loss remains difficult to replace.
At the individual level, performances have also declined sharply. Erling Haaland is enduring a rare eight-game drought from open play, Phil Foden has faded since Christmas, and even Rodri, once the midfield’s linchpin, has suffered a dramatic dip, capped by a red card against Bodo/Glimt and the surprising fact that City’s win rate is higher without him this season.
Guardiola Under Scrutiny, Fans Demand Answers
Manager Pep Guardiola has not escaped criticism, with increasing scrutiny over his persistence with a three-man defense that rivals have consistently targeted. Injuries to Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, and John Stones have undoubtedly complicated matters, but questions remain over the lack of tactical flexibility.
In recognition of the gravity of their showing, the squad refunded the 374 travelling supporters who attended the Bodo/Glimt match, an apology that underlined the “embarrassing” nature of the performance.
Although Marc Guehi is a quality addition who can offer stability, he cannot be expected to fix Manchester City’s deep-rooted problems alone. A full-scale reset and serious introspection are now required across the club if they hope to emerge from this troubling mid-season crisis.
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