After comfortably winning the Premier League title last season, there have been many to quickly back against Manchester City retaining the English crown this term.
Granted the race for the title looks wide open this season, but manager Pep Guardiola and his City side will take some stopping to be denied the title.
City Make Statement With Chelsea Win
While the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United were taking plaudits for their starts to the season, questions were being raised over City’s title credentials. The Citizens, who are +100 in the betting online to win the Premier League title this season, failed to land the star striker they were hoping for over the summer transfer window. Long linked with a move for England forward Harry Kane, a deal for the Tottenham star never materialized. City were also believed to be in the running for Cristiano Ronaldo before his well-documented return from Juventus to Manchester United.
With no big name striker coming in to replace Barcelona-bound Sergio Aguero, there have been doubts on City being able to keep hold of their status as English champions. That was before a resilient performance at Stamford Bridge that saw City grind out a 1-0 win over fellow title contenders Chelsea. Many feel Thomas Tuchel’s side are the real deal this season and that the Blues could be able to add the Premier League crown to the Champions League title they won last term. City’s win at The Bridge was a timely reminder that the Citizens will not be giving up the title without a fight.
City With Experience and Depth to Challenge
A 1-0 opening day defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur was enough for City to be written off in many quarters of the media. It’s easy to forget City hardly came flying out of the blocks in the Premier League last season, but ended up winning the title at a canter. It does not seem likely there will be any runaway winner this season, but over the course of the campaign, City should be in the mix come the spring.
Guardiola has, at his disposal, a strong blend of experience and rising talent that will make City a formidable force domestically and in Europe again this season. In midfielder Fernandinho, they have a player who has been in four of the five Manchester City squads to win a Premier League title. Fellow midfielders Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan have lifted the prestigious trophy on three occasions during their successful spells at the Etihad Stadium. While rising stars Phil Foden and Ferran Torres, look to be at the heart of a bright future for the club.
There is still plenty of football to be played before a champion is decided, but City won’t be going away, and look to be building some momentum as the season enters the frantic festive period.
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