Five Takeaways as Manchester City lose to Wolves

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola (R) gives instructions to Manchester City's Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on October 6, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) /

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2. Manchester City is not the same threat without Kevin de Bruyne

It is truly amazing that Manchester City managed to amass 98 points last season without Belgian superstar Kevin de Bruyne for large stretches. De Bruyne was forced to miss the midweek Champions League tie against Dinamo Zagreb and the Wolves defeat due to injury, and his presence was clearly missed.

With eight assists in seven Premier League appearances, the Belgian looks poised to challenge Thierry Henry’s assist record in the league. When fit and on form, De Bruyne is the best player in the Premier League, and arguably the best midfielder in the world. His pinpoint passes, crosses, vision, and finishing touch make him a creative superstar in the middle of the park, and on a day in which City desperately needed creativity and guile, their talisman was on the sideline.

He provides a threat truly different to anyone else at Guardiola’s disposal thanks to his accuracy and consistency, and has the ability to spark the City machine from a standing start, an ability that was dearly missed as City were held scoreless at home for just the second time in their last 45 matches at the Etihad.

When fit, the Belgian should be absolutely undroppable and the first name on Guardiola’s team sheet. Thankfully from a City perspective, he is expected to be back following the international break along with left back Benjamin Mendy. City are simply not the same team without De Bruyne, and his absence showed as City’s attack looked emasculated against a stout Wolves side.

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