I saw Pep Guardiola’s fury at Man City player – it might cost him his place in the team

Since Manchester City beat Fulham earlier this month, they have won a massive legal battle against the Premier League, announced the departure of their influential Sporting Director, announced his replacement, and seen Pep Guardiola linked with an England job that then went to Thomas Tuchel.

Football was thankfully back on the menu at Molineux as City faced Wolves, and Guardiola went for his chaos approach over control. This season he can field starting line-ups which lean heavily in either direction or with a mix of both depending on the opposition.

When Guardiola selects Jeremy Doku and Savinho, he’s going for the chaos option with two direct wingers able to switch flanks, take on their man, and send crosses in.

That was the plan against Wolves, with Doku on the left and Savinho dangerous on the right. Of the two, it was Savinho who had more joy, tempting two first half bookings and creating some good chances. He was unlucky not to score before the break, too.

The alternative is Jack Grealish on one flank and probably Bernardo Silva on the other, or maybe Phil Foden inverting inside as a dual number 10. Both Grealish and Foden were dropped to the bench at Molineux.

Doku got an assist, but was much quieter, and his stunning effort against Fulham has long been forgotten. In that game, he came inside off the left and unleashed a dipping, curling effort over the goalkeeper to win the game. He described it as maybe the most beautiful goal he had scored, even if he preferred ones where he takes on his man, although he was clearly trying to replicate the goal against Wolves.

But he couldn’t and an early shot that flew high and wide into the Jack Hayward Stand should have been the signal not to try again. In the second half, however, a corner fell invitingly to him and he couldn’t resist another aim at the far corner.

Once again, the ball went high and wide, and Guardiola couldn’t hide his fury. The manager threw his arms wide, stomped back to his seat, and looked in disbelief at the wastefulness as he sat down, still stewing for a few minutes. When Guardiola got back up, he gestured for Foden to get ready, and it was no surprise to see Doku’s number up.

Doku was spared a frosty exchange by going off on the opposite side and walking round when replaced, but there was no gesture from Guardiola or pat on the back. He hadn’t played poorly, but equally hadn’t done much to influence the attack and his assist for Gvardiol was simply a pass inside to the full-back on the edge of the area. It was hardly incisive.

As Foden replaced Doku, Grealish soon came on for Savinho as Guardiola looked for a winner. As the manager wrestles with his wingers, each one knows they are only one passive performance away from the bench, even if they played well the week before.