It is perhaps symbolic that, as he approaches his 500th match in charge at Manchester City on Sunday, Pep Guardiola is being confronted with so many problems that he hasn't faced since the very beginning of his tenure. He is completing a circle of sorts.
Guardiola's first City team in 2016-17 was a bit of a mess. Of the 22 players who saw at least 700 minutes in all competitions that season, 12 were at least 30 years old and five were 22 or younger. Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, 25, was brilliant and nearing his prime while a pair of 28-year-olds, forward Sergio Agüero and defender Nicolás Otamendi, were stellar.