The side of Pep Guardiola finished 18 points behind Liverpool last season. Still, it relinquished their chance to win their third title in four seasons.
Manchester City’s response to losing their Premier League title to Liverpool last season was emphatic, as the trophy was also restored in style and final place.
It was a historic victory in their first Champions League final against Chelsea in Istanbul. And their fourth consecutive League Cup victory.
So what’s next for Manchester City and their manager after this decent success?
Where will Pep Guardiola look to strengthen?
Guardiola is not the signing manager because of it. But there may be areas he would like to explore.
It is the master’s law to install power from a position of strength.
He surprised many with the possibility of replacing Manchester City’s top scorer Sergio Aguero.
And as the Argentine striker finished ten years at the Etihad Stadium after the Champions League final.
Guardiola cited the financial situation in the game due to Covid-19. Illness as his cause, repeating the controversy when he got linked. With a move to Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland.
Aguero, however, will leave a considerable gap after scoring 258 goals in 387 games.
Does Pep Guardiola believe that his current resources can successfully close that appeal?
Does Guardiola believe that his current resources can successfully close that appeal? As they had this season when the striker missed most games.
Or will he be suddenly allowed to pass him and City, who can resist?
Haaland is understood to have found moving to the City an attractive prospect.
It would be fascinating if Dortmund fails to achieve Champions League football next season.
And if Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur, as many expect, hears, it’s time for a new place.
It’s hard to imagine Guardiola and City being at least in the conversation.
The City has prospered through a nine-tier system that works without a regular striker in the Aguero mold.
Gabriel Jesus is the closest City to that type of traditional striker. And he is a player City feels he can improve a lot.
The City has no shortage of attacking resources.
The City has no shortage of attacking resources. Raheem Sterling has lost his place at the end of the season.
And has been a frustrating and successful system without strikers, so it is possible that Guardiola feels happy with what he has.
Fernandinho has been the rock of City’s most considerable success since arriving from Shakhtar Donetsk eight years ago.
Still, he was 36 years old when they reached the Champions League final with a win over Paris St-Germain.
He was pulling Rodri out of City when they beat PSG so that Guardiola could keep the situation in place with the Brazilian midfielder.
Still a considerable influence, and with a big voice, both off and off the pitch.
West Ham United’s Declan Rice got coveted by several top clubs. And could undoubtedly fill this vital role while Jack Grealish, a talented midfielder, is also linked with City.
The City will also lose 20-year-old defender Eric Garcia, who appears to be heading to Barcelona this summer.
This creates another space, but also, the City already has advanced options in that position.
Aymeric Laporte, a long-time standout, has been sidelined by the success of the Ruben Dias-John Stones partnership.
While Nathan Ake, who signed for £ 40m from Bournemouth last summer, is still awaiting his application.
Benjamin Mendy’s mixed form prompted suggestions to take the left-back belt.
Still, Joao Cancelo has always been prominent, and Oleksandr Zinchenko has been evident in the Champions League. So he does not feel like a priority.
That said, Guardiola could have his failure to replace captain and defender Vincent Kompany in his thoughts quickly.
It was a mistake that left City weak in that position until the £ 65m Dias arrived from Benfica in September.
The space created by the Company’s exit reminds City that they can not afford a standstill.
So, while it’s hard to see City not adding their resources and building on their ups and downs this season, knowing their rivals will do it.
It sounds like only a top-class player at a reasonable price will persuade Guardiola to leave.
Can Man City rule again next season?
Winning the Manchester City title felt like a tradition since they led the Premier League on January 26. After a 5-0 win over West Bromwich Albion.
They have never looked so overcrowded. But Guardiola will know that City’s injured rivals will be reunited next season.
Ironically, the questions got raised about City’s hunger for the title fight.
And Guardiola’s ability to heal defensiveness after a 5-2 home defeat. To Leicester City on September 27 that left them 13th after two league games.
However, that has been their lowest spot this season.
The moment of change came two days later when City terminated its contract with Ruben Dias.
The Portuguese defender had their vigilant danger as Virgil van Dijk moved to Liverpool following his departure from Southampton.
Since City’s defeat to Leicester City, they have played 32 league games, won 24, drawn five, and lost three.
They have scored 66 goals and conceded just 18. It means they will start next season as favorites to win the fourth title in five seasons.
However, history tells us that retaining the Premier League is a daunting task.
And any controversy over City’s position in power over the years exceeds. The desire of rivals such as Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United to rebuild and challenge the title.
The City will start next season as a local powerhouse – but they will know that no guarantees will continue.
Who will be Man City’s biggest rivals?
Pride in Liverpool’s injury and Chelsea’s resurgence under Thomas Tuchel will send them into contention for next season’s title.
With a firm intention, while rivals Manchester United have growing ambitions.
In particular, Liverpool and manager Jurgen Klopp will be keen to revive the rivalry that defined the Premier League last season.
They will feel the lack of fans inside Anfield, along with a list of injuries that have severely damaged Van Dijk.
And midfielders Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, who missed most of the season, have been hit hard.
Captain Jordan Henderson and striker Diogo Jota also faced difficulties for a long time.
It does not excuse all defending champions who failed miserably.
Including a non-record-breaking form with six straight Anfield defeats in the league. For the first time in Liverpool history.
Injured or not, that’s a shame and shouldn’t hide how City has been better than Liverpool this season.
And it should be said that all clubs have to deal with empty stadiums.
Liverpool has never really been lacking in terms of defense. Weakness has come as a surprise to what we know as a deadly attack.
Mohamed Salah has been his primary source of goals. But the return of Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino has been disappointing.
Liverpool will be strong, though they will also be careful with their money. Klopp could see that his best chance to fight City. Again would be the return of healthy Van Dijk and some of his defenders.
Chelsea has already advised many referees to run City very close next season.
Thanks to Tuchel’s excellent work leading them to the FA Cup final. And then the Champions League final.
They face City in a Champions League match, which is another excellent opportunity. To make a statement of intent after beating them in the FA Cup semi-final.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is confident.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is confident. He will support Tuchel in the market even though many pieces are already available after the arrival of last summer.
Next season’s progress can be expected from Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, and Ben Chilwell.
They are currently on the roll. And that momentum will surpass the title challenge next season.
Manchester United will hear that the progress they have made this season could be maintained next term.
While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men have never threatened a significant title challenge, it has been the next big thing.
And rushing to the Europa League finals will boost the confidence of both the manager and the players.
Edinson Cavani’s ingenuity has kept him at the forefront.
Still, much can depend on the job in the transfer market as Borussia Dortmund players Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho. Grealish and Kane are getting considered as potential candidates.
The City has finally crossed the mental barrier to the Champions League final. And will feel they can remain normal at the elite level now.
There is an opportunity to strengthen that position as Barcelona. And Real Madrid is on the verge of change and reduce financial conditions.
The City has shown its superiority over Paris St-Germain. Although they think Mauricio Pochettino will have a significant impact in the future.
They will be wary of Bayern Munich’s renewed challenge, new coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Manchester City is at home and will still be pushed to Europe this season. You can be sure they will work in secret to ensure it stays the same in 2021-22.
