January will be a make or break month for Pep’s bid at winning the quadruple
PEP Guardiola’s side ended 2017 in style, having not lost to an English team this season and broken the Premier League record for consecutive wins with 18.
With the Champions League returning next month, January is a significant time to set the Blues up for their trophy tilts, and there is also a transfer window to navigate.
Here are some of the issues that should be clearer at the end of the month.
■ JESUS’S INJURY AND SANCHEZ’S WORTH THE hope is Gabriel Jesus will only be out for four weeks. But there is quite a big scope on when he could be back, and more will become clear over the next month.
The injury has brought Alexis Sanchez more into play for the January transfer window, but will City change their approach and make a move? It would signal intent for the Champions League, but risks upsetting the harmony in the squad - not least with Sergio Aguero, who is currently the only fit senior striker.
■ THE ANFIELD TEST GUARDIOLA has treated Blues this season to football they’ve never seen before and a win at Anfield would be some achievement.
City have won just once there in the last 36 years, 2004 was the last time they tasted victory.
Three points would add further weight to the body of opinion that sees this team as champions-in-waiting, but it would also be another ceiling shattered for the manager.
A City team that crumbled last season when it mattered most has since claimed impressive victories at Stamford Bridge, the Stadio San Paolo
and Old Trafford. If they can win at Anfield, belief will soar.
■ CENTRE-BACKS AS Vincent Kompany’s injury frustrations continue, Guardiola has announced a desire to strengthen his backline. Any signing made in January would have to be in line with the club’s thinking of signing players for the long term rather than just a stopgap.
Jonny Evans offers Premier League experience but West Brom will likely demand a higher price than Real Sociedad will for Inigo Martinez.
■ CUP RUNS CITY can reach their first final of the season as they take on Championship side Bristol City in a two-legged Carabao Cup semi. On top of that, there are two rounds of the FA Cup to be played potentially.
The schedule will be relentless, but talk of the quadruple will either die a death or continue to be whispered.