Is Manchester City’s Aura Fading? Perry Groves Raises Doubts

August 27, 2025

Former Arsenal forward Perry Groves has questioned whether Manchester City's era of dominance has started to wane. He pointed to City's shock 2-0 defeat at home to Tottenham as a symbol of growing fragility, noting the squad’s average age is now just 24 and lacks the experience and aura of previous title-winning teams.

Groves predicts that opponents no longer fear City at the Etihad, and he highlighted disruptions like damage to the midfield core from injuries to Rodri and Silva, plus concerns about the cohesion within the new-look midfield. Former Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam echoed this sentiment, expressing worries over the lack of Premier League experience in City’s engine room.

As the Premier League title race heats up and rivals like Liverpool and Arsenal bolster their squads, Groves’s remarks raise questions about whether Manchester City can recreate their previous dominance—or if this season marks a transitional phase.

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