Manchester City could yet again break another record next season if they were to win the EPL title as no club in the history of the Premier League or the old first division has ever won four titles in a row. Manchester City and Manchester United have both won three in a row during the Premier League era but the Blues would make it an unprecedented four if they were victorious again next season.
Who could possibly stop Pep Guardiola’s side from making history again? Arsenal are looking serious with the summer transfers that they’re reported to be making, with the likes of Declan Rice and Jurriën Timber being linked to last season’s Premier League runners-up. Manchester United and Newcastle united are outside shouts to win the league however either of those two winning the title would come as a surprise, also depending on the summer signings they can make.
Liverpool will no doubt come back stronger next season, as Jürgen Klopp’s side have already begun their transfer business by completing the signing of World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton for £35 million. With the money that Chelsea have spent Todd Boehly will be wanting a better season and even with the addition of attacker Christopher Nkunku, it would be some turnaround if Mauricio Pochettino won the league in his first season at Stamford Bridge.
City would be strong enough to go into next season without making any signings and have a good chance of winning the league, but clearly that won’t be the case. With the addition of midfield maestro Mateo Kovačić (which has reportedly been completed but not yet confirmed by the club), the Croatian will add a coolness and ease on the ball which is perfect for the pattern of play of the reigning champions.
The treble winners will have to be diligent however, as a busy fixture list due to the Club World Cup, Super Cup and Community Shield could increase the chances of injury. Kevin De Bruyne is set to miss the start of the season due to a hamstring injury picked up in the Champions League final, which could prove costly for the club.
Manchester City don’t look like they’ll be slowing down any time soon either, as they are interested in adding players such as Declan Rice and Joško Gvardiol to the squad to improve on their already fearsome midfield and defence. City have lost Ilkay Gündogan to Barcelona, with potential exits for players such as Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips also on the cards.
A big question mark remains over the future of João Cancelo, who was shipped out on loan in January to Bayern Munich and may not be welcome back at City.
With a new playing system adopted by Guardiola, City have been unstoppable since mid-February after Cancelo’s departure and if the Citizens completed the signings of Rice or Gvardiol, they would likely fit into the system quickly.
City will also go into next season looking to defend their Champions League title, with the weight of expectation lifted from their shoulders, having finally capture Europe’s biggest prize. Guardiola will not stay at City forever and this is a unique opportunity for him to make it four league titles in succession.
We can expect the same relentlessness and ruthlessness to keep going and never say die attitude from Guardiola and his players. The drive to defend their titles will be there, but how many of City’s treble winning squad will depart and how many players will Guardiola and his Director of Football Txiki Begiristain recruit this summer.
The answers to those questions will provide the keys to City’s historic four in a row title quest.
