Manchester City are looking to claim a fifth successive Premier League title.
By Sam McGuire
You wouldn’t bet against Pep Guardiola and his team doing it, would you? They know how to win. Remarkably, they know how to keep this team of winners wanting more.
What happened last season?
After winning the treble during the 2022/23 campaign, many doubted whether or not Man City would be able to go again last term. Their goal had been to lift the Champions League. Having achieved that, how do you get the players in the right mindset to go again?
They managed it though.
The Citizens posted yet another 90+ point season to claim their fourth Premier League title on the bounce. They finished two points clear of Arsenal having put together a 23-match unbeaten run from December onwards. This run included nine successive wins to see out the 2023/24 campaign.
City lost just three games in the English top-flight and scored a league-high 96 goals last term. The champions averaged 2.5 goals and conceded just 0.9 goals per game. Defensively, only Arsenal could boast a better record. Guardiola’s men also kept the joint-second most clean sheets (13).
What is interesting though is that they only ranked third for big chances created (124) and ranked second for Expected Goals (81.9). A huge overperformance in the final third fired them to the title. Does that seem very sustainable? Of course, having Erling Haaland no doubt helps in that department.
The No. 9 finished the top scorer in the league for a second successive season having netted 27 goals. He wasn’t the highest-rated Man City player though. That accolade belongs to Rodri with the Spain midfielder finishing the campaign with a FotMob rating of 8.12. This average was, in fact, the highest across the entire Premier League.
What has happened during the summer?
The Champions have reinforced their wide areas with the signing of Savinho from Troyes. The winger spent last season on loan in LaLiga with Girona, scoring nine goals, and impressed with his aggressiveness when in possession.
Pairing him with Jérémy Doku on the wings could be a lot of fun.
So far, he’s the only new face at the Eithad. Expect that to change though once the sale of Julián Álvarez is finally confirmed. The World Cup winner is heading to Atlético Madrid in a deal believed to be worth £80million. He’ll need to be replaced too. He’s the backup striker to Haaland and the Norway international does tend to miss a handful of matches every season. City will need to bring in adequate cover if they’re to mount another title charge.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Liam Delap, Sergio Gomez and Tommy Doyle have also been sold, with City bringing in over £50million in sales already. There was also talk that Ederson might depart. At the time of writing, he remains at the club but that could all change before the window closes. If he does depart, he’d likely have to be replaced. As good as Stefan Ortega is, it would be a gamble to head into the season with him as the No. 1.
What they should be aiming for next season?
As always with City, the Premier League title is their aim. A five-peat would be a remarkable achievement, especially if the champions don’t do much in the market. They would’ve been weakened, at least on paper, while Arsenal, their main rivals, have invested heavily. People will be backing the Gunners to finally lift the title and this might actually spur Guardiola and his players on.
To win the title when they aren’t pre-season favourites. They always find a way to win though, don’t they?
Prediction: 1st
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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