Manchester City just now are proof of how quickly things change in football.

The Blues were sitting pretty in October, unbeaten in all competitions, coping without injured talisman Rodri and with Erling Haaland scoring goals aplenty. Then it began to unravel.

City were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Tottenham and that began a run of one win in 11 matches. It has seen their Champions League campaign take a hit if not a knockout blow, while their title aspirations look far-fetched.

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The absence of Rodri has played a large part in the poor run but the 27-year-old, who has been crowned City's Fans' Footballer of the Year winner for 2024 while finishing sixth in the overall standings, is not the sole reason for the wheels coming off.

It's clear that City and Pep Guardiola need to orchestrate a rebuild of sorts at the Etihad with an ageing squad being hampered by injuries and a lack of depth. The City chief has admitted he will need a bigger squad moving forward given the demands of an ever-increasing schedule and the vote for the Fans' Footballer of the Year in 2025 will give us an indication as to how City are faring.

If in 12 months, the likes of Oscar Bobb, Savinho and Jeremy Doku have thrust themselves into contention for the top honour then it will be a testament to players and club for how they have developed and improved. That will likely see City progressing with a younger core and their new generation will need to spearhead a new era, supplemented by a signing or three across the next two transfer windows.

No-one has a crystal ball in football, but if in 12 months we are discussing the ability and performances of a new crop of City 20-somethings then the rebuild will be close to completion and City will be close to trophies.

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