Micah Richards has been vocal in his criticism of Mateo Kovacic’s performance in Manchester City’s 4-1 win over West Ham on January 4th. Richards, a former City defender, pointed out that Kovacic’s decision-making and positioning in midfield were not up to the standard required, especially in the absence of Rodri, who has been a crucial figure for City in recent seasons.
The absence of Rodri due to injury has been a key reason why Manchester City has struggled in recent weeks, and Richards highlighted how Kovacic’s inability to control the midfield and read the game in the same way as Rodri was evident during the match. One moment in particular stood out to Richards during the game, when Kovacic attempted to press high up the pitch at a time when it was not the right tactical decision. Richards noted that Kovacic’s decision to press in that situation left significant space in the middle of the park, which allowed West Ham to transition quickly and move forward on the counter-attack.
Richards emphasized that this is where Kovacic needs to improve, especially in a team like City, where precision and understanding of when to press and when to hold shape are crucial. He specifically compared Kovacic’s actions to Rodri’s ability to read situations—Rodri’s intelligence in knowing when to press and when to remain disciplined in his position is one of the reasons he has been so effective for City. Richards believes that Kovacic’s failure to replicate Rodri’s composure and timing leaves Manchester City vulnerable, particularly in transitions, a weakness that could be exploited by better opposition.
Despite this critique, Manchester City still managed to secure a comfortable 4-1 win over West Ham. The match saw Erling Haaland score twice, continuing his prolific form in front of goal. However, Richards pointed out that the victory was not without its issues. West Ham, under the management of Julen Lopetegui, were far from passive in the game and posed a threat to City’s defense. The Hammers registered an impressive 17 shots on goal, more than City’s 10, and had 44% possession at the Etihad—a statistic that is typically difficult to achieve against a team like Manchester City, who dominate possession in most matches.
Richards believes that had West Ham been more clinical with their chances, they could have made the game more competitive or even potentially stolen a point or more from the match. Niclas Füllkrug’s goal was a positive for West Ham, but their failure to capitalize on other opportunities proved costly. City’s defensive frailties, highlighted by Kovacic’s struggles and their overall vulnerabilities without Rodri, allowed West Ham to have some joy in attack. However, poor decision-making from the West Ham forwards and defensive mistakes from the Hammers meant that they were unable to make full use of the opportunities they created.
One key point of the match was Manchester City’s ability to strike when it mattered, with Haaland’s brace and Savinho’s contributions proving pivotal. Savinho’s in-form performance was a standout, and his creativity in attack provided an edge that West Ham couldn’t match. His contribution to the game added to the brilliance of City’s attacking display, but it also highlighted how City can outscore teams even when they are not at their best defensively.
The match also revealed an important theme for Manchester City’s current season: without Rodri, they are far from the impenetrable force they were in the past. Richards’ analysis suggests that while City remain one of the best attacking sides in the world, their defensive vulnerabilities are being exposed, especially in matches where they do not control the midfield as well as they usually do. With Rodri in the lineup, City often dominate possession, which allows them to control the tempo of the game and minimize the opposition’s opportunities. Without him, however, they look more susceptible to quick counters and transitions, which West Ham was able to exploit on occasion.
Despite their victory, Manchester City still need to address these vulnerabilities in their midfield. Kovacic has been brought in as a replacement for the departed Ilkay Gündogan, but his performances in the deeper midfield role have not yet matched the high standards set by Rodri. Richards believes that Kovacic will need to improve his understanding of the tactical requirements of Guardiola’s system, especially when it comes to knowing when to press and when to stay disciplined in his position.
As for West Ham, Lopetegui’s side continues to struggle in the Premier League, sitting in the lower half of the table. Their inability to take chances, especially against a team like City, was the difference between a respectable result and a more damaging defeat. West Ham’s 17 shots on goal and their ability to break forward in transitions showed promise, but their failure to finish their chances, along with defensive mistakes, meant that they couldn’t get anything out of the game. Had they scored at a key moment, for example, after Haaland’s first goal, it could have disrupted City’s flow and put more pressure on the defending champions.
Ultimately, while Manchester City’s 4-1 win seemed comfortable on paper, Richards’ comments suggest that the performance left room for improvement, particularly in the midfield. The absence of Rodri is still a significant concern for Guardiola’s side, and the performances of players like Kovacic will need to improve to ensure City can maintain their level without their midfield anchor. Meanwhile, West Ham will need to learn from their missed opportunities and improve their finishing if they are to survive in the Premier League this season.