We have this stance that we look after our players. Vinny, David Silva, Kun, Fern, Yaya, Zab, all club legends, mostly allowed to leave on their own terms when they decide it is best for them to leave. This puts us in a difficult situation when the players hang on for just one more season, thinking they still have a contribution to make. The club needs to be more ruthless in handling these situations.
We now have a midfield that includes Rodri, Fern and Gundogan. All good players in their day, but all have no pace or energy, so when two of them combine, we become very easy to play against.
Gundogan looks likely to be another that we will be lumbered with until his contract expires. These players should have been replaced with fresh, young, energetic players, but they remain, preventing us from properly rebuilding.
The club can continue in this method of looking after faithful servants, but in doing so, it must also reconcile itself to short bursts of success, rather than sustained domination.