In Pep Guardiola’s eight years at Manchester City, the club has grown exponentially.
100 points. A domestic treble. A continental treble.
Champions of England on six occasions. Champions of Europe. Champions of the world.
What is left for the Catalan to achieve at the Etihad?
With Guardiola’s current contract expiring next summer, VAVEL UK's Manchester City writers take a look at what the 2024/25 campaign could hold for his Blues.
2023/24 Season Recap
Written by Dan Madgin
Manchester City once again successfully retained their Premier League title last season for a fourth consecutive season, something no other side in English football has ever managed.
Outside the league sphere, City were unable to make an impact in the Champions League or both domestic trophies comparable to previous seasons.
A defeat to eventual European champions Real Madrid is not exactly an embarrassment, neither is an FA Cup final defeat in an impressive season where the club also tasted success on both the continental and international stage.
The Premier League title was not a sure thing for Guardiola’s side, though. A season-long challenge from Arsenal went down to the final match week, but a victory against West Ham on the final day was enough to fend off the North London club.
A challenge from the Gunners is expected again heading into this season after a strong transfer window and constant improvement from Mikel Arteta at the Emirates.
Manchester City had blips last season, including four winless games between a draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and a defeat to Aston Villa.
However, they hit typical late-season form with nine straight wins in the final nine games to scoop up the title.
The ambition this season will be to score a record fifth consecutive title while competing to win all three cup competitions after winning the Community Shield last weekend.
With rumours swirling that Pep Guardiola’s time in Manchester is coming to an end sooner rather than later and with sporting charges possible, every game will count in a bid to continue the dominance.
Transfer window so far
Written by Vikram Jajuha
Incomings
It has been a summer of what some may label to be a 'mass clear-out' regarding departures. The club secured the signing of Savinho from Troyes for £30 million, bolstering their attacking options with the highly-rated Brazilian winger. However, it was the outgoings that has been the main point of focus for the Cityzen's.
Outgoings
Julian Alvarez’s departure to Atletico Madrid for a substantial £81.5 million stood out as the most significant move. Alvarez, who played a pivotal role in City's treble-winning campaign, sought regular first-team football and found a new home in La Liga. The departure signals a shift in City's forward line, potentially paving the way for emerging talents.
Defensive prospect Taylor Harwood-Bellis was sold to Southampton for £20 million, while Sergio Gomez, who rarely featured in the senior squad, moved to Real Sociedad for £8 million.
Tommy Doyle’s £4 million transfer to Wolves and Alex Robertson’s £3 million move to Cardiff also underscored City’s willingness to offload players who struggled to break into the first team.
The club also allowed several younger players to leave, with Liam Delap and Lewis Fiorini moving to lower-league sides for undisclosed fees, and Yan Couto heading to Borussia Dortmund on loan. Mahamadou Susoho joined Peterborough on loan, while Josh Adam and Jamal Baptiste were released.
Overall, Manchester City’s transfer window reflects a strategic rebalancing of their squad, prioritising player development and financial pragmatism while making room for new talent to emerge.
Strongest XI
Written by Aaron Jaffe
Ederson; Gvardiol, Dias, Ake; Stones, Rodri; Bernardo, De Bruyne; Foden, Doku; Haaland
Having only made one signing and not losing any key starters, Manchester City's strongest lineup looks the same as it did last season. The only issue City face is injuries, with John Stones, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland all spending extended periods of time on the sidelines.
Despite rumours linking Ederson with a move away to Saudi Arabia, he is expected to remain between the sticks for Pep Guardiola's side, while Josko Gvardiol's impressive displays at full back have put him in pole position to start ahead of England international Kyle Walker.
John Stones, when fit, has slotted into a midfield role easily alongside Rodri, while Jeremy Doku's raw pace and technical ability has shifted Jack Grealish out of the team - another potentially linked with a move away. With Julian Alvarez having completed his move to Atletico Madrid earlier this week, Erling Haaland has limited competition up top and will lead the line once again for City, hoping to have another monstrous campaign in City colours.
Pep Guardiola - the last dance?
Since his first term at the helm in Manchester, Guardiola is yet to go a season without winning a trophy.
He has lifted six Premier League titles, four Carabao Cups, two FA Cups, three Community Shields, a Champions League, a Super Cup and a Club World Cup during his tenure at the Etihad.
Success only seems to make the 53-year-old hungrier. A serial winner, Guardiola has signed three contract extensions with the Blues since his 2016 arrival.
In the court of public opinion, Guardiola is left with nothing to prove. But a fifth successive league title would further cement his place among the very best.
Key Talking Points
The year of the youth
The City Football Academy is quickly gaining a reputation for producing elite talent. The likes of Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia and Brahim Diaz are all enjoying fruitful careers away from Manchester.
Meanwhile, Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb have in recent seasons followed in the footsteps of perhaps the academy’s very best product Phil Foden, to make the City first team.
After an impressive pre-season, James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly are the latest to have been handed their full competitive bows for the club by Guardiola.
The homegrown duo both started as the Blues earned their first piece of silverware of the season in the Community Shield last week.
With all the expectation on Norwegian starlet Oscar Bobb, who dazzled in the club’s US tour and at Wembley, this could be a year heavily influenced by the kids for City.
Lewis is expected to see more minutes, competing for game time with an ageing Kyle Walker.
If Guardiola can successfully embed McAtee and O’Reilly into that midfield, this may be the perfect legacy for the Catalan to leave behind.
A perfect midfield
In the eyes of many football fans, a midfield of Rodri, Kevin de Bruyne and Phil Foden stands as arguably the strongest trio in world football.
With City having recruited another winger, Savinho and the expected emergence of Oscar Bobb, Foden will be afforded a lot more football in a central role.
Provided Rodri - a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or - can stay available, Guardiola could have a scary midfield at his disposal. If he can get the best out of the three of them, the results could be extraordinary.
On the contrary, for many of the City faithful, signing a backup for Rodri should have been the club’s priority, given the team’s failings without him last term.
If the Euro 2024 champion does go down injured for a lengthy period of time, City’s inactivity in the market could cost them dearly.
Expected Finish - 2nd
Manchester City have been the best team in England now for the best part of a decade.
Their dominance under Guardiola is only emphasised by their ever-growing trophy haul.
However, Arsenal have run them close for the past two seasons and winning five consecutive titles may be a feat too difficult for City.
Despite Arsenal's threat, the side has talent in all areas and a pool of quality in depth they can call upon. It’s a team full of winners and they’re not planning on relinquishing their crown anytime soon.
If there are no more incomings for the rest of the summer, long-term injuries to Haaland or Rodri may be the only thing standing in their way.
Yet Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side keep improving and closing the gap, and recent performances in comparison to Guardiola's outfit suggest that the Gunners could close in on their title competitors.
