The Spanish media weren't the only ones reporting it; numerous English media outlets also started speculating that Manchester City's backline couldn't match their luxurious offense, let alone Zhao Gang.

Some media outlets even bluntly stated that if Zhao Gang truly wanted to catch up to and surpass Messi and Ronaldo, Manchester City was definitely not a good choice.

Looking at it now, Manchester City's defense was indeed somewhat lacking.

As the season progressed, teams began to study Manchester City intensely, and this defense would become increasingly transparent.

With a month left before the winter transfer window, Manchester City had already started contacting Guardiola's favorite candidates.

Manchester City's owners had never been afraid to spend money; Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and Barcelona might not even compare to Manchester City.

Similarly, Manchester City was also a sucker in the transfer market, often overpaying for players and offering higher wages than other clubs. Only in this way could they attract excellent players to join.

The reason, of course, was that although Manchester City had a long history, they had never had the foundation of a strong, elite team.

Now, Manchester City had excellent results and had won the Premier League several times, but they would at most be called a strong team; no one would say that Manchester City was a powerhouse.

What qualifications did a Premier League champion without a Champions League title have to be called a powerhouse?

Zhao Gang was considered by Guardiola to be the core of Manchester City's future team, and he would definitely try his best to keep him.

However, with this defense, even if Zhao Gang scored three goals, they could concede four. How could they go further in the Champions League?

Real Madrid had shown considerable sincerity, and Abramovich had recently given a rare media interview, constantly praising Zhao Gang's excellence, saying that it would be wonderful if he played with Hazard, Pedro, and Costa.

Guardiola knew Zhao Gang well; he was good in every way, but he was too thin-skinned and found it difficult to refuse when others needed him.

Guardiola was worried that, faced with the sincere Florentino and the talent-hungry Abramovich, he would fall into a happy dilemma, and if there were any variables, if he left Manchester City, it would be a major event.

Therefore, there must be a major signing in this winter window, even if it meant spending more money, to transform the defense.

Unlike Guardiola's worried expression, Conte was sitting comfortably on the coach's seat. Yes, that's right.

Our offense has never been weaker than Manchester City's, because the 3-4-2-1 system allows the two wing-backs to be positioned forward and quickly supplement the attack.

This attacking ability is even stronger than Manchester City's.

Don't let your minds wander on defense...

Thinking of the defense, the hot-headed Conte suddenly stood up and ran aggressively to the sidelines, shouting at Chelsea's defenders.

Mark them closely, closely!

Fabregas, if you make such a ridiculous mistake again, you won't play!

I'll sell you!

There are no wrongly given nicknames.

The hot-headed Conte, his tactical thinking has always been advanced, his temper has always been irritable, and he is extremely stubborn. No one can change what he believes.

If the boss doesn't listen to him, it's easy to solve: I'll resign myself, and whoever cares!

Therefore, when the team's results are very good, everyone is happy, and Conte often has conflicts with the players and management.

If Fabregas really made such a low-level mistake again, he would definitely find a way to sell him.

Manchester City still took the initiative on the field, and Chelsea still followed the opening tactics, giving up some possession and looking for opportunities to counterattack.

Manchester City's two full-backs were constantly worried about Chelsea's efficient counterattacks, so the number of times they went up to support the attack was significantly reduced.

This reduced the pressure on Chelsea's defense. Fabregas and Matic cooperated very well. Matic moved a little slowly, but his defensive ability was quite good. As long as he didn't go to cover, stood his ground, and cooperated with Fabregas, there would hardly be any major problems in the center.

Zhao Gang tried several times to find a breakthrough in the middle, but the central defense was too dense, and he had to find a way from the two wings.

Sterling's impact was a good choice, and Moses and Alonso's retreat added to the defensive strength on the defensive line.

Obviously, Zhao Gang's first goal made Chelsea's players understand that Matic and Fabregas in the center should not be moved if possible; once a gap appeared, an opportunity would be found.

Chelsea's adjustment ability was very strong, and the reinforcements from the two full-backs made up for the loopholes at the beginning.

Manchester City's players were a little anxious, but there wasn't much they could do.

After more than ten minutes, Manchester City's two full-backs once again began to support; they found that there weren't enough attacking players, and if they wanted to turn their advantage into a victory, they had to increase the number of attacking players.

Chelsea's Costa's containment prevented Manchester City's center-backs from pressing too far forward, preventing Chelsea from launching very efficient long-pass counterattacks.

As Manchester City increased their attacking personnel, Chelsea's defense felt a lot of pressure.

Zhao Gang and Gundogan's two passing points made Chelsea's defense feel overwhelmed.

Aguero had already tried two shots, but the results were not satisfactory. Gundogan also tried a long-range shot, which was a good threat, just a little bit off!

Manchester City's attack had been effective. Chelsea's two full-backs retreated too deep, making it difficult to increase the counterattack speed. Only Costa was a bit lonely.

But Chelsea had never given up attacking.

Especially Hazard and Pedro, who were indeed in their own half, but had been waiting for the ball to launch a deadly counterattack.

In the thirty-eighth minute of the game, Alonso on the wing finally found an opportunity, entangled with Kolarov, and poked the ball out with one foot.

Fabregas, who was defending Zhao Gang, saw this opportunity and, of course, rushed forward, took the ball, and turned around. Zhao Gang stepped forward to intercept but failed.

Fabregas found Hazard with a ground pass.

He gave Zhao Gang a strange smile, "I can't defend you, so you can defend me?"

Zhao Gang ignored him and quickly retreated.

Manchester City's players, especially Kolarov, ran the fiercest. He lost the ball, so he had to desperately retreat!

Hazard was too fast, and Zhao Gang was too far away from him, plus he had a turning action, so by the time Zhao Gang started to chase back, Hazard had already crossed the halfway line!

Fernandinho tried to make a tactical foul, but Hazard poked the ball out with one foot, then accelerated again, directly passing Fernandinho.

The entire Stamford Bridge, after waiting so long, finally cheered wildly again.

You have a black lightning, we have a blue steed!

"Chelsea's high-speed counterattack! Hazard dribbles the ball straight in, with Moses, Alonso, Pedro and Costa, three lines and four players supporting.

Manchester City's retreat speed is a bit slow! Zhao Gang is running faster than the full-back, how can this work??" Zhan Lu was a little stunned, Zhao Gang was quickly chasing back in the middle, even faster than Kolarov, who was sprinting desperately.

Hazard suddenly changed direction on the way, cutting inside to the center, directly shaking off Otamendi's cover.

Now the only Manchester City players in front of him were Stones and Bravo.

And Chelsea still had Costa running and pulling, Stones was a little confused.

Gundogan's position was okay, he retreated the fastest, and could support in just two or three seconds, but how could Hazard give him so much time?

Stones had no choice but to abandon Costa and pounce on Hazard.

And Costa reacted a little slower, was in an offside position, and hurriedly waved to Hazard, "Don't pass, you must not pass!"

Stones' cover slowed Hazard down. He swayed left and right, Stones was quite experienced, and kept backing up with Hazard, not taking the bait. Once Hazard forcibly broke through, he would quickly squeeze the space.

At this time, Gundogan finally rushed back, and Zhao Gang was also accelerating all the way, and was about to successfully support.

Hazard suddenly made a diagonal pass inside the penalty area. Stones didn't have time to intercept the ball. Gundogan gritted his teeth, saw Pedro rushing in, and directly accelerated two steps, sliding towards the ball, a fierce tackle!

Pedro was extremely fast, and was directly knocked down on Gundogan by Gundogan's tackle.

The two looked painful, and both covered their ankles, rolling on the ground.

The Stamford Bridge fans instantly rioted, with boos rising all around.

Referee, the players from both sides quickly gathered in front of the two.

Zhao Gang saw Gundogan gnashing his teeth in pain, closing his eyes, almost crying, and he quickly called to the sidelines.

Doctor, the doctor is on the field!

Pedro covered his foot, rolled twice, grinned, and hammered the lawn hard, obviously also in extreme pain.

The two team doctors rushed over quickly, and the two head coaches stood on the sidelines, worriedly watching the two on the field.

"This...Pedro was dodging Gundogan's tackle and directly stepped on Gundogan's ankle...Oh, this is..." Zhan Lu's heart was tugged,

"Gundogan didn't tackle the ball, this time! This time, not only is he injured, but it's also very likely to be a penalty..."

Manchester City's commentators were dumbfounded. If Gundogan was injured and couldn't continue, and was also given a penalty, it would really be adding insult to injury, losing both the lady and the army.

"The team doctor's gesture is a stretcher...Substitution! Gundogan's injury is not yet clear, but he definitely can't continue this game, which has a great impact on Manchester City. Only Fernando is reliable in this position, but Gundogan's passing ability and attacking ability cannot be compensated for. Manchester City now needs not only defense, but also attack! Fernando is afraid that he cannot replace him in attack...Oh, it's still a penalty! This..." Isn't this the end?