Pep Guardiola looks set to leave Manchester City and the end of the coming Premier League season, with the Spaniard building a dynasty in English football. Having won the league on the last four occasions – six out of seven since the 2017/18 Centurions season – City arrive as favourites to lift the trophy again when making a football bet, to very little surprise.
Despite their slow start to the last campaign, where they dropped points in the early week of the season, Guardiola uncharacteristically kept things as they were, trusting his side to deliver the goods even though pressure from Arsenal and Liverpool was mounting. In the end, City developed into their usual ruthless selves beyond the March international break, winning their last nine games in a row to secure the title.
“The first words are for Arsenal – Liverpool as well, but especially Arsenal to push us to another level,” Guardiola said after the league championship was lifted. “Before it was Liverpool that pushed us to our limits and now it has been [Arsenal] these last two seasons, especially this one. It has been an incredible season.
“We get the message, so I know they will be there for many years. Young manager, big talent and a young squad and young team and they send us a message that we must be careful for the next years.”
The pressure is now on Guardiola to bow out with a record-extending championship run. Only Manchester United had won three consecutive titles before the Spaniard’s arrival in 2016, but he looks to blow all the records out of the water. Let’s assess how City could make this possible.
The common consensus across the Premier League is that City has the best squad depth in the country when that is not the case.
In reality, City rely on an elite group of 15-20 players who will deputise week in and week out throughout a gruelling nine-month campaign. And as relentless as they might be, players will still need to come in to challenge Arsenal and Liverpool for the title.
Joshua Kimmich, a player Guardiola previously worked with during his time in the Bundesliga, could be available from Bayern Munich, although the Germany international could be reluctant to join if the manager steps down. Elsewhere, Xavi Simmons and Pedro Neto have also been linked with moves to City.
To touch on a similar point, players will be needed at the Etihad Stadium to secure the future of City’s dominance and enjoy the moment they are in with Guardiola.
The likes of Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, and Jeremy Doku represent an exciting future for the Sky Blues. However, some of the side’s stalwarts are approaching the twilight of their careers in the Premier League.
Goalkeeper Ederson could be on his way out of the door after rumours of a move to the Saudi League occurred throughout the Copa America, while Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne – critical components of the Guardiola era – are both in their 30s and could look to move on after years of success in City shirts.
Guardiola begins the campaign with a Community Shield final against Manchester United after the Red Devils bested the Spaniard 2-0 at Wembley at the end of last term. After that, attention turns to Premier League action, with City away to Chelsea on the opening day – Guardiola facing his former assistant Enzo Maresca after he joined the Blues from Leicester City.
City certainly have the experience to win the league again — the question is if they are hungry enough to do so. Another slow start won’t be squandered by Arsenal, who are desperate to win the title on their third time challenging. It will be interesting to see who comes through the door and whether they hit the ground running in Guardiola’s last dance.
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