Talking Tactics: Are Manchester City boring to watch?

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City are one of the most successful teams in Premier League history — but are they becoming boring to watch?

The Catalan coach has guided the Citizens to five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four Carabao Cups and a Champions League across seven seasons in England.

Ahead of their trip to Bournemouth, we assess the entertainment value of a side targeting their fourth consecutive league title.

Bored to tears?

It was City's 3-1 win over FC Copenhagen in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie that prompted discussions of boredom and predictability in their play.

After that game, ex-Manchester United defender Gary Neville said: "I didn't switch City on on Tuesday night. I felt a bit bored. 

"It's a bit of a hornet's nest because I think to call City boring would be wrong because the football they play is outstanding. 

"But is there a bit of a boredom thing with City?"

Guardiola has since fired back. The City boss said: "It looks easy but it's not. Remember that sentence — it's easy but it's not. 

"Thank you for the compliment [Neville]. What can I say? It's fine. 

"What these players have done for many years and this season as well is admirable. Of course we [are given] credit. 

"We are admired. I am pretty sure of that. The people in the world of football know how difficult it is."

One-way traffic

City fans are unlikely to be bored watching their team dominate matches and collect silverware.

For the neutral, though, there is certainly a growing sense of indifference.

Guardiola's side are, as ever, out in front in terms of possession stats in the Premier League this term, averaging 64.85% of the ball and 7.76 passes per possession.

Their ability to suffocate opponents with wave after wave of patient attacks can become tedious for those who prefer a more end-to-end contest.

At their very best, City have looked invulnerable, a team with no weaknesses who play precise, methodical football.

Though undeniably successful, that does not always lend itself to entertainment.

This has perhaps been highlighted more so in recent weeks as City have found themselves nullified by some stubborn opponents.

Everton were resilient before succumbing to a second-half brace from Erling Haaland, while Chelsea and Brentford both frustrated the champions at the Etihad — the former earning a 1-1 draw.

Are you not entertained?

For Guardiola, complaints of boredom will be little more than a triviality.

But in the long term it could raise some existential questions for City, particularly if their success is greeted more with apathy than adulation.

Guardiola has consistently evolved his tactics since joining the club in 2016, refining and tweaking things to create the most efficient team in Europe.

In doing so, City might have lost some of the spontaneity and individuality that makes football such a spectacle.

But they continue to win matches and compete for silverware — and that, for Guardiola, for the club's higher-ups and the fans, will be the main concern.