There was a great deal of drama along the path to claiming a famous treble last season. However, it was achieved against all odds, and now manager Pep Guardiola has been tasked with motivating his Manchester City side to go again this term.
No side has ever won four top-flight titles in a row in England but European champions City have the chance to achieve that feat this season.
A Campaign To Remember
Winning the FA Cup, Premier League and Champions League was a tremendous feat for City in the 2022/23 campaign. City are currently priced at odds of 4/6 to win the Premier League title this season, according to the outright markets from Paddy Power football. They emerged as a dominant force both domestically and in Europe by beating Inter Milan 1-0 in the final last term. As a result, hopes are high. Punters making Champions League bets can find the Citizens at a price of 21/10 to retain their European crown this season.
After thrashing Real Madrid in the semi-final second leg, City looked like it would be their year and they coped with the favourites tag to finally get over the line in the Champions League final, as covered by Reuters.
Domestically, Arsenal were the ones who emerged as title contenders and the North London outfit gave City a run for their money in the Premier League. However, showing their class and experience over the final weeks, City ended up cruising to their third consecutive league title. Having achieved so much in the 2022/23 campaign, Guardiola will be determined complacency does not creep in, as the Citizens embark on another season packed with games in multiple competitions.
Voids To Fill
City has seen a couple of key figures move on to pastures new over the summer and other players will need to step up in their place. İlkay Gündoğan was a revelation for City last season, with the skipper stepping up in big moments for the Citizens. Now plying his trade at Barcelona, Mateo Kovačić has been brought in as a replacement. The Croatian appears to be settling in well at the Etihad Stadium and could well prove to be an astute replacement for Gündoğan.
As reported by the BBC, Riyad Mahrez was another high-profile name to leave City and take up a new challenge in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli. The Algerian international was another key player for the Citizens last season and made significant contributions both domestically and in the Champions League. The loss of Mahrez was not expected at the end of last season and others will need to step up, especially with midfielder Kevin De Bruyne picking up an injury in the first league game against Burnley, to fill the void left by the former Leicester City star.
The fact that no side has ever won four consecutive top-flight titles in England speaks volumes to the size of the challenge ahead of this City side. Huddersfield Town, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United have all won three league titles in a row but the fourth has so far been elusive. The rigours of last season for City were well documented with so many games for Guardiola’s squad and it will be interesting to see how they cope this term.
With players leaving and other rival teams spending vast sums in the summer window, it’s a big challenge ahead for City to claim further success this season. However, with Guardiola at the helm and a star-studded squad, City will be determined to break new ground with a fourth-straight Premier League crown.
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