Manchester City head into the new season aiming to add more silverware to their growing trophy cabinet.
After fanciful talk of securing the quadruple eventually evaporated last term, Pep Guardiola’s side ended up winning the Premier League and EFL Cup.
A 19-point winning margin in the league will be a difficult gap for their rivals to bridge, but the City boss has admitted that he thinks it will be tough to match last season’s tally. Read on as we assess City’s hopes of success this season.
Big six set for epic battle
City’s addition of Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City is their only major summer signing to date, but their squad still looks strong in all departments.
However, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal have all strengthened, while Tottenham Hotspur will probably add to their squad before the transfer window closes.
City are justifiably odds-on favourites to win the league, but it is unrealistic to expect them to run away with things this time around.
Better luck needed in the Champions League
Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett admitted in a recent interview with Betway that officials sometimes make mistakes, but Guardiola will hope to avoid such a fate next season.
The City boss was unhappy with a string of decisions as City went out to Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-finals last April.
With a little bit better luck, City have a squad capable of going all the way in Europe’s top club competition.
Missing out on Jorginho is a blow
Guardiola claimed that it was not a blow that City didn't sign Jorginho and he has compared the deal collapsing to Alexis Sanchez's move to United.
Both players looked set to join City but at the last minute their destinations changed, with Jorginho joining Chelsea this summer and Sanchez opting for Old Trafford back in January.
However, the midfielder would have been a quality addition and, despite Guardiola arguing differently, it was a blow to miss out on signing him.
Foden emergence a big bonus
There has been plenty of talk that Phil Foden would be sent out on loan this season, but the playmaker proved he was worthy of a place in the first team squad with his performance against Chelsea in the Community Shield last weekend.
The 18-year-old shone in Kevin De Bruyne’s role and his emergence gives Guardiola an extra string to his bow in attacking areas next season.