After winning their fourth-successive title last season, a quite remarkable achievement, Manchester City will be hoping to come out on top once again this campaign. As things currently stand, it’s hard to look past the Citizens, particularly with Pep Guardiola still overseeing things.
Despite the competitive nature of the competition, a clear trend has emerged, and City are the league’s most dominant force in recent times. In the same way that certain sides in the IPL tend to dominate more than others, Manchester City are the team every manager and all sets of fans will be desperate to see off this season. It certainly won’t be easy, though. In fact, it’s hard to look past another Manchester City title win once again.
The fact is, as long as Pep Guardiola is overseeing things at Manchester City, it will always look ominous for the rest of the Premier League. Since taking over in 2016, the Spaniard has led the club to six title-winning campaigns. A serial winner who knows how to get the very best out of his squad of world-class players, City are likely to kick further on once again this season. Even if the likes of Kevin De Bruyne depart the club, City have the resources and the manager to go again.
As such, fans will still be selecting City’s Erling Haaland in their fantasy football squads; it’s almost impossible not to back the side to win the league once again when it comes to betting, and podcasts and YouTube channels will struggle to look past such a formidable opponent when making any title predictions. City simply know how to get the job done, and with Pep Guardiola’s track record of delivering success, they’re the team to beat once again this season.
Manchester City sides of old used to rely on Sergio Aguero to fire them to glory, and Erling Haaland is no different. Former champions like Arsenal had Thierry Henry, while Manchester United icon Eric Cantona always delivered. While the young Norwegian has a way to go yet before he can be compared to the likes of Aguero, Henry, and Cantona, the former Borussia Dortmund goal machine is the player every Premier League defender will fear this campaign. Finishing top scorer once again last season with 27 league goals to his name, Haaland is one of the most prolific strikers in the history of the competition. As long as he is fit and firing, then Manchester City will be tough to stop.
What makes Manchester City so impressive is their squad depth and the strength they possess in all areas of the pitch. Rodri is a player who has improved immensely under the tutelage of Guardiola, with the Spanish Euro 2024 winner capable of dictating the tempo in any game and setting the tone for their teammates in the biggest of matches.
Last campaign, the former Atletico Madrid man stepped up once again to lead the Citizens to a memorable title triumph, with his 12 goals and 13 assists from midfield highlighting his all-round game. Similar to Erling Haaland, should Rodri remain fit, then Manchester City are a real force.
While Pep Guardiola does have other players to step into Rodri’s midfield position should he find himself on the treatment table, the drop-off is evident when the Spaniard isn’t pulling the strings in midfield. While no side wants to see fellow professionals get injured, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United’s chances of success will increase should Rodri find himself on the sidelines. For Manchester City, he really is that crucial.
With Arne Slot now taking charge of Liverpool following Jurgen Klopp’s departure, the Reds are coming into the season as somewhat of an unknown quantity. Sure, the likes of Mohamed Salah are capable of lighting up any game, but the Reds are about to start a new chapter in their history. Just how they will fare this season is unknown, resulting in a proven Manchester City looking even more terrifying in the process. Of course, Slot could elevate Liverpool further, and they could dismantle every side they come up against, but adjusting to a new competition and aiming to put his own stamp on things could result in a small decline. Should that happen, then Manchester City face an even clearer path to the title.
Likewise, another title contender, Manchester United, are still attempting to get back to their very best. Last season’s 31-point gap won’t be closed in one summer window, with Erik Ten Hag’s troops having plenty to do to close such a massive gulf in quality between the two fierce rivals.
Arsenal, therefore, are the team that are in the best position to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League prize, although a few injuries could see their fairly light squad struggle. The Gunners will certainly be hungry to go one step further this season, though, and finally win the world’s biggest league under Mikel Arteta, but it will be tough given City’s winning mentality and their seemingly never-ending hunger to reign supreme in every competition they take part in.
The best sides tend to keep progressing and never stand still. That’s exactly what Pep Guardiola’s teams are known for, with new acquisitions helping to further enhance their chances of success. Already, Girona’s Savio has joined the club this summer after shining in Spain’s top flight, but more additions could be on the way for a team that constantly evolves under one of football’s best-ever managers. Should Manchester City splash more cash and add even more proven quality to their squad, then another title-winning campaign appears to be a foregone conclusion.
