We have changed our style. It does not mean just because he was sitting on the side-lines, it does not mean the style we played was the one City plays.
I agree with you on the part that out midfiled is ageing but even if we played him in the middle, it would not much of a difference because he is still not at their level and never will. So what did we buy him for?
What level?
City's so called golden midfield has been an illusion ever since David Silva left. Worsen after KDB got that injury in the Euro.
The midfield look so good because City played one man extra in the midfield by using false 9. Or sometimes two men extra with a fullback inverted to join. On the cost of removing support of a winger. Sterling and Jesus finally got so fed up and left.
Remember the night at Bernabéu? Jesus started as a traditional number 9 and our midfield tro Bernado KDB and Rodri did not have any advantage. So Pep had to switch Foden and Jesus to put Foden as a false 9. Give one man extra in the midfield to get a little bit control back.
That is why Bernado Gundo and KDB were all so mild in the World Cup.
Don't get me wrong. They are good midfielders but not as good as you think. Pep system makes them look way much better. KDB is world class but he is never the same after that injury.
Halaand joined. No more false 9 help on the way. They got exposed. That is all.
Pep has to give midfield extra support. So he put Lewis in the midfield. Hope this little teen can play as a midfield and a fullback at the same time. But it is too much for Lewis. And Bernado was missing. So Grealish had to play left winger left midfield and left back all in three facing Spurs. Mahrez had similar story on the right hand side.
Grealish and Mahrez are the two sacrificing and patching the things up. And you are blaming the one who is actually trying to save you from losing 3-0.
Grealish shines when the defense gets worse because his on ball ability is excellent. In other words, he is not a system player. Like Mahrez. They are the players who can support a system from falling apart. Pep knew and paid big money for them.
The players who go missing when the team goes down are luxury players. That is why no one is willing to pay big money for Bernado or Gundo, only waiting for cheap chance to come. Barca paid big for Koundé Rafinha and even Torres, but did not pay for Bernado.