Jamie Carragher doubts that Manchester City can maintain their winning streak amidst a financial scandal. Enzo Maresca's side has won seven consecutive matches and currently sits at the top of the Premier League, but the former Liverpool defender believes the pressure on the club is about to rise.
An independent commission found City guilty of breaching financial regulations between 2009 and 2018, and the club has appealed the decision.
Carragher stated:
When you look at this season, Enzo Maresca and the current players are leading and have been the best team at the start of the campaign.
But I find it very hard to imagine they can continue in the same vein. Almost every away game will now be played in one of the most intense atmospheres this season. Everyone will want a piece of them.
City's first match after the ruling will see them travel to Anfield to face Liverpool. According to Carragher, the added pressure might play into the hands of the reigning champions, Arsenal, in the title race.
The analyst also weighed in on potential punishments for City, arguing that a hefty points deduction would not be the best solution.
I've heard talk of a 100-point deduction. But that's a punishment for just one season: they would drop down and then come back again.
Looking at the current squad, a few players might leave, but some could say, 'I can sit through this for one year'. Moreover, it may even strengthen their bond with the fans.
Carragher believes any sanctions should have a more prolonged effect.
Given how long this has been going on, I think the punishment should span several years – three to five. Only then will players begin to leave.
There's also the financial question: how do you pay such wages without Premier League income? If the club has to spend such sums while only being able to spend what they earn, they'll need to adhere to the rules.
Carragher further remarked that it will be incredibly difficult for the current owners of Manchester City to regain trust following the guilty verdict.
I said from the start that I don’t understand how these owners can carry on. How can you trust them when they've been found guilty of something like this?
The former Liverpool defender fears that even with a failed appeal, the controversy may linger.
I worry that if they lose the appeal, they won’t just say, 'Alright, we accept the punishment.'
I think they’ll never admit they were wrong. They'll argue that they've been treated unfairly and that this is all a farce. And this narrative will continue, pulling the whole game into disrepute.
The final punishment for Manchester City is still to be determined. As the club contests the guilty verdict, any further ramifications will hinge on the outcome of the appeal.
