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Manchester City became the first team in exactly a decade to retain the Premier League title when they did so at the end of the recently concluded season, pipping Liverpool to the trophy by a solitary point in one of the most thrilling title races in history.
The Cityzens were utterly dominant, decimating all in their way and continuing from where they left off in 2017/2018 wherein they set a plethora of records on their way to racking the never before seen total of 100 points.
Guardiola's men also achieved a unique first in 2018/2019, becoming the first side in history to win a domestic treble of league, FA Cup and League Cup to stake their claim to being arguably the greatest club side to grace English football.
The one blight on their campaign was their failure to go all the way in the continent, as a heavily underwritten Tottenham pulled off one of the shocks of the season by eliminating their more fancied Premier League rivals.
The City squad is unarguably the most complete in all of Europe, boasting a squad depth which many can only envy.
Guardiola has the privilege of having not just a formidable starting 11, but also a frightening bench and indeed most of his bench warmers would be shoo-in starters in major clubs around the world.
Given the quality at his disposal, it is tempting to suggest that Pep does not need any new signings. However, the club has been linked with a number of transfers this window. In this piece, we shall be having a rundown of three players who could be added to the City ranks to make them even more frightening next season.
#3 Ben Chilwell
Manchester City signed Benjamin Mendy for the sum of £52 million in the summer of 2017, making the Frenchman the then most expensive defender of all time.
The 24-year-old had impressed significantly in Monaco's fairytale 2016/2017 campaign and it was expected that he would bring this optimum level of performance with him to The Etihad.
Mendy started his debut campaign like a house on fire, creating assists for fun and proving integral in City's early blitz up the table. However, an unfortunate Cruciate ligament tear suffered in late September 2017 ruled him out for the next eight months and he has not quite been the same since then.
His second season was no better, as injuries once more hampered his campaign, with the World Cup winner spending most of the season on the treatment table, missing a total of 33 matches as City achieved domestic invincibility.
In total, across two seasons, Mendy has managed just 17 matches and the City coaching staff are said to be exasperated with his fitness issues and are considering getting a specialist replacement, having had to play the likes of Danilo, Fabian Delph and Zinchenko out of position for the last two seasons.
It is here that Ben Chilwell steps in, as the 22-year-old has seen his stock rise considerably in the last year, establishing himself as Leicester City's first choice left-back, while also making a name for himself on the international scene with the Three Lions of England.
The Leicester academy graduate is said to have an admirer in Pep Guardiola and made 36 Premier League appearances last season, registering four assists.
Chilwell is a tireless worker, who combines astute defending with bombarding runs forward, while his crossing ability would also offer a useful tactical alternative for Guardiola.
#2 Rodri
The City squad is blessed with such an abundance of talent that it is easy to argue that no player is indispensable, with every player having a more than capable replacement. And the proof of this lies in the fact that the otherwise unplayable Kevin de Bruyne was out for most of the 2018/2019 season, but in his absence, City thrived, with Bernardo Silva rising to take the mantle.
However, one exception to this rule is unarguably Fernandinho, as despite not getting as many reviews as his more attacking minded teammates, the Brazilian international has gone on to establish himself as arguably the most important player in Guardiola's winning machine.
While lacking the flair and technique of his teammates, the 33-year-old makes up for this with an uncanny positional sense, with his tackling and reading of the game giving his teammates the impetus to attack with reckless abandon knowing that the former Shakhtar man would be there to cover up their tracks.
If still in doubt over how important Fernandinho is to City, it is pertinent to note that City lost just six times from 76 Premier League matches across the last two seasons and crucially, Fernandinho was absent in five of those six, as Guardiola's men struggled to achieve the same balance in the side without him, with John Stones and Ilkay Gundogan failing to offer the same level of protection.
In many ways, Fernandinho is similar to another player whose importance to his team's success is not immediately noticeable, as Sergio Busquets occupied the same role and position during Pep's all-conquering Barcelona years of 2008-2012.
Given his age, it is imperative that City seeks a replacement for the Brazilian international and speculations have emerged that the club has turned its attention to Spanish international Rodri.
The 22-year-old rejoined Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2018 after three seasons with Villareal and immediately became a mainstay in Simeone's side, making 46 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals.
At 6 ft 3', Rodri offers an imposing presence in the middle of the park, while his marking and technique on the ball mean he could likely succeed at The Etihad and the fact that he is just 22 years could see him thrive as Fernandinho's long-term successor for the next decade. They might, however, have to battle Inter Milan for his signature.
#1 Harry Maguire
Long-serving captain and inspirational leader Vincent Kompany announced his departure at the end of the just concluded season after nine long years of service, captaining the side to victory on three fronts domestically. The Belgian leaves the Premier League as one of the greatest defenders to ever grace the field.
It is imperative that City finds a replacement for Kompany and reports have indicated that they see Harry Maguire as the ideal man to replace the Belgian.
The 26-year-old had his breakout season with Hull City in 2016-2017, becoming a mainstay in the Tigers squad and won admirers with his performances such that he was snapped up by Leicester City despite Hull City's relegation.
At the King Power stadium, Maguire's stock grew even further, becoming an England regular, making it to the World Cup Squad and playing all of the Three Lions' matches at the Mundial.
He found himself the subject of interest from Manchester United last summer, but with nothing having come out of the rumours, the coast could be clear for him to move to Manchester this summer, the only difference being that it would be the blue half.
