Pep Guardiola has warned there is no easy fix for Manchester City's issues, as he insisted they will not be rash in the transfer market.
City were held to a 1-1 home draw by Everton on Boxing Day, meaning they have now won just one game in their last 13 across all competitions.
Erling Haaland saw a penalty saved by Jordan Pickford after Iliman Ndiaye cancelled out Bernardo Silva's opener at the Etihad Stadium.
Injuries to key players such as Ruben Dias and Rodri – who is out for the season – have not helped City's case as of late, while Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish, Ederson and John Stones were all absent against the Toffees.
With the January transfer window approaching, there is speculation City will be busy, but Guardiola suggested that may not be the case.
"The transfer window in the winter is not easy," Guardiola said, as reported by ESPN.
"Even the players know that we have to add some new players. But after, when these players come and play in their positions then they are unhappy.
"But we have a lot [of injuries] and this is a problem. It's about bringing a player for the next four or five years and we'll have to see.
"Sometimes it is not easy. We have to try because this is sustained for a long time."
Man City's attack vs defence since 30 October in all competitions pic.twitter.com/59JQadQhHJ
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) December 26, 2024
City have dropped 12 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, already more than they did in the entirety of last season (10).
They had 24 shots on Thursday, and accumulated 2.0 expected goals to Everton's 0.6.
Since the start of November, City have conceded 26 goals in all competitions. In that time, the only side from Europe's big-five leagues to concede more is Heidenheim (28), but Guardiola is not looking for excuses.
"I think we were very patient," he said. "That is the momentum of the season, that is a little bit of the situation.
"Everything takes more time to make it work. With the table, I have no argument.
"Football is about winning, scoring goals and not conceding, and we've always done it until the last month and a half. We're not able to do it."