5 things Man City must do to ensure multiple titles this season

By Guest writer, Thu 21 December 2017 09:57


5 things Man City must do to ensure multiple titles this season 

Manchester City are still chasing success on four fronts after edging past Leicester City in the Carabao Cup, but is it realistic to think they could win the Quadruple?

Optimism has been building over a City clean sweep of the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup, although manager Pep Guardiola insists it isn't going to happen.

"That is not real," he said after Tuesday's penalty shoot-out victory over the Foxes. "That is not normal. In football you lose games, you drop points. I am not thinking about how many titles. I am thinking about recovery and the next game.

"In the process you enjoy the moments. There is no sense waiting."

City are still unbeaten in England this season, with their last domestic defeat coming in April's FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal.

Guardiola's side have also been handed a favourable draw against Swiss side Basel in the last 16 of the Champions League, so could City prove Guardiola wrong and win the Quadruple?

Read on for the five things City must do to ensure multiple titles this season.

Keep Kevin De Bruyne fit

The Belgian midfielder has blossomed into one of the best players in the world under Guardiola, but an injury to De Bruyne would hit City hard.

He is the axis around which City's system is built and the player who dictates their tempo.

De Bruyne has already fired some stunning goals this season and regularly features prominently in the https://www.sunbets.co.uk/promotion/first-goalscorer-odds markets.

If he steers clear of injury City's hopes of winning multiple trophies will be greatly enhanced.

Replace Claudio Bravo

If De Bruyne's fitness is crucial to City, then goalkeeper Ederson's wellbeing isn't far behind.

Back-up stopper Claudio Bravo ended up as the unlikely hero against Leicester, saving Riyad Mahrez's penalty in the shoot-out, but the game underlined why Guardiola needs to buy a reliable second choice goalie.

Bravo gave his defenders and Guardiola plenty to worry about whenever he lined up to pass the ball to a sky-blue shirt and some of his clearances left a lot to be desired.

It was only Bravo's fourth City appearance of the season, but highlighted City's dependence on Ederson.

If he did get injured, the prospect of Bravo returning to Premier League duty would undoubtedly give Guardiola sleepless nights.

Resolve the Sergio Aguero situation

Aguero has looked frustrated in recent weeks, a point highlighted by his reaction to being substituted early in the second half against Tottenham Hotspur.

Reports in Spain say Real Madrid are preparing a bid for Aguero and it's a situation Guardiola must resolve quickly to prevent it disrupting his dressing room.

City are believed to be confident of signing Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez in the January transfer window and his addition would be a decent piece of business if Aguero does head to Spain.

Strengthen their defensive options

With Benjamin Mendy sidelined for the season, recent injuries to John Stones and Vincent Kompany left City short of defensive options.

Fernandinho played some of the Manchester derby at centre-half before Eliaquim Mangala came on to play alongside Nicolas Otamendi, but it's an area of weakness in the squad at the moment.

Virgil van Dijk and Jonny Evans have been linked with moves to the Etihad Stadium, although Barcelona's Javier Mascherano would be a decent short-term fix to the problem.

Be lucky

City look unstoppable in the league, but their success in the cup competitions will require a bit of a helping hand when the draws are made.

Basel is favourable draw in the Champions League, but there will be plenty of big guns lying in wait as the competition progresses.

Burnley at home in the FA Cup could be tricky if Guardiola plays a weakened side, while there could be a very strong line-up in the last four of the Carabao Cup.

Winning the Quadruple is a tough ask for any team, but City are certainly well-placed to give it their very best shot.