Manchester City made an excellent start to life under Pep Guardiola, but have hit a difficult patch in recent weeks.

City won their first ten competitive games under the former Bayern Munich and Barcelona boss, including a 2-1 win at neighbours Manchester United, but have since gone winless in their last five games in all competitions.

A 2-0 defeat at Tottenham was soon followed by a 4-0 thrashing at Barcelona, leaving Guardiola with much to ponder ahead of their trip to United in the League Cup on Wednesday.

Their 1-1 draw at home to Southampton on Sunday reclaimed top spot in the league from Arsenal, so it’s not all doom and gloom at The Etihad, but they need to get back to winning ways soon to keep their place at the summit.

Unsurprisingly, City have already been linked to some big-name players ahead of the transfer window reopening in January, as Guardiola looks to build a squad capable of competing on the domestic and European front.

Here are TWO players City fans can get excited about in January…

Hector Bellerin

Photo: Mark Leech

The lingering doubt over whether Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin will sign a new deal at The Emirates has attracted interest from a few clubs around Europe, one of which being City.

Of all the areas in the City squad, full-back looks the weakest, with Pablo Zabaleta, Aleksandar Kolarov, Bacary Sagna, and Gael Clichy all over the age of 30, and having done little to convince Guardiola of their long-term future at the Etihad.

Yet, 21-year-old Bellerin has been one of the most improved players in the Premier League over the last two years, and has turned into a dependable right-back for Arsene Wenger.

Although he may have to curb his attacking instincts if he made the move to Manchester, the Spanish international would trump all of Guardiola’s current options at the Etihad.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Photo: Mark Leech

Sergio Aguero’s recent absence from the City starting line-up, most notably against Barcelona, has called into question his future at the club.

Consequently, City have once again been linked with Borussia Dortmund’s sensation Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who netted 39 goals in 49 games for the German side last season.

The Gabon international has been a revelation at Dortmund since moving there in 2013, and has developed into one of the most clinical forwards in Europe.

The 27-year-old has already netted ten times this season, including eight in his last eight games, and will continue to attract interest from all over Europe if he continues that rich vein of form.

Guardiola may view him as the ideal replacement for Aguero should the Argentine decide to leave the Etihad.