Football Season Guide

Manchester City

In


Rodri (mid) Atletico Madrid; Angelino (def) PSV; Zack Steffen (gk) Columbus Crew; Erik Palmer-Brown (def) NAC Breda – end of loan; Aleix Garcia (mid) Girona – end of loan;

Out


Vincent Kompany (sp) (def) Anderlecht; Fabian Delph (sp) (mid) Everton; Douglas Luiz (mid) Aston Villa – loan made permanent; Pablo Mari (def) Flamengo; Anthony Caceres (mid) Sydney FC; Luke Brattan (mid) Sydney FC; Philippe Sandler (def) Anderlecht – on loan; Zack Steffen (gk) Fortuna Dusseldorf – on loan; Arijanet Muric (gk) Nottingham Forest – on loan; Patrick Roberts (mid) Norwich – on loan; Ante Palaversa (mid) Oostende – on loan;

In another historic last season the Sky Blues collected all 4 domestic trophies on offer, with Guardiola’s men maintaining the high levels they had set a year earlier. Bitter disappointment was suffered in the Champions League though, and after 2 years of total dominance in England, the big effort this coming season will be focused on that competition. Still, Guardiola’s perpetual hunger to win every match and the indisputable talent in the squad leave City as the main favourites domestically too. After a year ruined by injuries the team’s main creative engine De Bruyne will be hungry to get back to his finest form this season, while Rodri was signed from Atletico Madrid to provide a much-needed alternative for the aging Fernandinho. Now with both of them in the ranks City are well covered for the pivotal anchor-man role. Mahrez is another player expected to shine at least in the Premier League this season after having minimal impact in his first year at the Etihad. The Algerian hopes to get lots of playing time domestically, especially after the Champions League campaign begins. With all the talent in the squad and the great depth, City really don’t have many weaknesses, and the only thing that could affect their domestic dominance this season will be the Champions League campaign. If as expected the Sky Blues go deep in that competition, mostly supporting players are likely to be used domestically come next spring.

Target


Main goal is the Champions League final, but as always would want as many domestic trophies as possible too. The have the squad to earn third consecutive Premier League title.