It is fair
to suggest that football fans, pundits and journalists ran out of superlatives
to describe how brilliant Manchester City were last season. Idolised by fans
across the country, City stormed their way to title glory smashing every
Premier League record that laid in front of them. Becoming the first ever team
to reach 100 points in the Premier League, City dazzled their way to endless
victories showing along the way why they were the best team in the country.
However, Pep Guardiola will believe they can do even better and he will want to
continue smashing records for fun. Furthermore, City’s real ambition is to
conquer Europe however, they have struggled to surpass the latter stages of the
competition. The pressure will be on Guardiola to bring City champions league
glory. The city fans will be desperate to dominant Europe with this the only
trophy missing from Mansour era at the club.
City
sparkled last season with their slick, exuberant style of play with talent spread
across the entire squad not just their starting team. Guardiola brought wisely
in the previous transfer window to bulk up a team that disappointed during his first season at the club. The poor form of Claudio Bravo and Joe Hart
highlighted a big issue for Guardiola, so he splashed the cash to sign unknown Brazilian
goalkeeper Ederson and they haven’t looked back. He was instrumental in City’s
goal keeping clean sheets and starting many attacks due to his ball skills. However,
as well as improving his goalkeeping situation, Guardiola managed to get the
best out of regular city midfield gems Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva. When these
are on form, so are Guardiola’s team with both playing a vital role and David
Silva in particular as he reaches the latter stages of his career as found a new
gear and has gone from strength to strength. Similarly, Kevin De Bruyne has been
unlocked by Guardiola and has turned into the complete central midfield.
Scoring goals and creating endless chances, De Bruyne glistened for City and
even showed his solid defensive attributes therefore, emphasising his
brilliance and he can only get better for City. However, once again Guardiola
has got a strong tune out of Sergio Aguero. Another sensational season for him
becoming City’s all-time record and won his third Premier League title and he
will want to continue smashing in goals because it’s what he has done all his
career. In addition, Guardiola has a strong array of English players in his
ranks and the likes of Kyle Walker, Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph making key
contributions in City’s latest title success. However, this Premier League season and title victory saw
the rise and emergence of Leroy Sane, the young German international had a magnificent season
and played a crucial role in City’s title triumph. Hugging the left-hand side
for City, Sane scored a lorry load of goals and created a vast amount of
chances for his team. However, his impressive ball control and skills also
impressed many a fan and pundit across the season and like much of this young City
squad he can only get better.
Guardiola
is always looking to improve however they finish their seasons and he will investigate
the transfer window to see where he can potentially do business. City of course
have already broken their transfer record once again under Guardiola by signing
Riyad Mahrez from Leicester. Mahrez will add even more danger to an already
dangerous, menacing attacking force. He will add further creativity and allow
Guardiola to make tactical switches if needed. Looking at Manchester City’s squad,
it is difficult to identity areas that need new players but I’m sure Guardiola
will have ideas as to what positions he wants competition for. Guardiola will
certainly be looking for a long-term replacement for the big shoes of
Fernandinho who has been a magnificent servant to the club but unfortunately,
he isn’t getting any younger and Guardiola will certainly have a few targets in
mind to the heir to Fernandinho’s throne. In addition, Guardiola may look at
the left back role at the club with Benjamin Mendy spending virtually all last
season injured, and Guardiola had to constantly chop and change and play
players like Fabian Delph and Oleksandr Zinchenko out of their usual positions.
Despite their excellent performances, Guardiola will want a natural left back
to compete with Benjamin Mendy for that role in the team. Despite this, it very
difficult to pinpoint anything Manchester City truly need because although they
are not perfect, they are not far away from perfection in the eyes of Guardiola.
Manchester
City will be confident they can reign supreme over England once again after a majestic
third title win in the Premier League era. Competition will be much tougher
this time around with Liverpool and Manchester United hoping to hunt them down because
they are the team to beat and the City fans will be confident of a 4th
Premier League title and a chance to win back to back titles for the first time
in the Premier League. However, the aim certainly this season is to conquer Europe
and win the Champions League. City’s fans, owner and Guardiola himself are
desperate to bring the European title back to the blue half of Manchester so
there will be increased pressure to improve on the European stage but if everything
ticks perfectly for Manchester City, this could be the year where they dominant
every single competition available to them and Guardiola will believe another
exciting season is just around the corner.
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