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Over the last decade, Manchester City have dominated the Premier League leaderboard in every quantifiable metric. They have produced the finest brand of football, they have had the most talented squads, and they have racked up the most Premier League titles.
The seven-time English champions came on top last season as well, snatching the title off of Liverpool and finishing 12 points ahead of crosstown rivals Manchester United. A reshuffling is already underway at Manchester City and we believe they will be in even better shape when the dust settles.
How will City perform and who will shine the brightest in their famous sky blue kit? Read on to learn about our predictions for Manchester City’s 2021-22 Premier League season.
#5 Four-way battle for two centre-back positions
Manchester City have always been clear about their transfer policy - to go after the players that the coach demands. And when it comes to demanding things, there is hardly anyone more persuasive than Pep Guardiola. The man has brought in unwarranted success at Manchester City and the club are not shy of breaking the bank to get the Spaniard his man.
City’s current back line of Nathan Ake, John Stones, Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias is absurdly overpowered. All four defenders are under 28, which means they are already in their prime or nearing it. Dias was crowned the Player of the Season for the 2020-21 Premier League season and will be the favorite to start ahead of the other three. But counting out Nathan Ake, Aymeric Laporte and John Stones would be premature at this point.
We believe we will see all of them at one point or the other this season, but the battle for the top two slots could be highly unpredictable.
#4 Kevin De Bruyne could become Manchester City’s on-field captain
On paper, central defensive midfielder Fernandinho wears the captain’s armband for Manchester City. He has been an integral piece to Manchester City’s recent exploits and deserves the highest recognition. However, the 36-year-old is no longer a shoo-in for the first team and could do with a worthy successor.
Arguably the best midfielder in the Premier League, Kevin De Bruyne has worn the captain’s armband for a few times now for Manchester City. We believe he can take up the responsibility, officially or unofficially, over the course of the season. If only he could keep himself fit, we might see him in a more commanding role in the middle of the pitch.
Despite missing several matches with injuries and fitness issues, the current Manchester City vice-captain recorded six goals and 12 assists in the Premier League alone. With some luck this season, we expect to see him put better numbers on the board.
#3 Ferran Torres and Phil Foden to get into golden boy bout
A fan favorite taking on the hot-off-the-press Spanish sensation, Manchester City are gearing up to see two exceptional youngsters, Phil Foden and Ferran Torres, go head-to-head in search of coach Pep Guardiola’s backing.
Signed from Valencia in the summer of 2020, Torres has made 27 appearances in the Premier League so far, scoring seven goals and providing two assists. Primarily a right-winger, Torres can also play as an out-and-out forward or a dainty left-winger.
Foden, on the other hand, has been training with Manchester City since the very beginning. He has risen through the ranks to become a first-teamer, but is yet to cement his place as an outright starter. He scored 16 goals and provided 10 assists across all competitions last season and will hope to put on a stronger show in the upcoming campaign.
On paper, their preferred positions keep them on opposite sides of the pitch. But under Guardiola, a bit of tinkering is not out of the ordinary. And even if they don’t, both attackers would love to prove their mettle and emerge as Manchester City’s hottest young prospect.
#2 Manchester City could operate with a false nine again
Through match-winning, title-defining goals, Sergio Aguero helped put Manchester City on the footballing map. The City of 2021 is not a lightweight anymore, they are one of the most dominating forces in Europe.
At the end of last season, that illustrious chapter came to a close, as the Argentine decided to move back to Spain, signing for FC Barcelona. The move has left a gaping hole in the Manchester City attack, but thankfully, Pep Guardiola was already preparing for the worst.
Although Manchester City have a natural number 9 in Gabriel Jesus, they chose to keep faith in a false nine system last season. Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne and other non-strikers pitched in, bringing City close to a famous double.
This time, they were expected to get their mitts on Harry Kane. Unfortunately the move seems to have collapsed, prompting City to go for Jack Grealish from Aston Villa. With the midfielder in their ranks, City have more reasons to keep playing the false 9 rather than count on Jesus alone.
#1 Manchester City poised to repeat Premier League heroics
Pep Guardiola has always been a man with many demands. He has broken the bank with Manchester City a gazillion times over, but the Spaniard most definitely has a lot to show for it. Last season, Liverpool were plotting to defend their Premier League trophy. Unfortunately, things went sideways and the Reds found themselves out of the title race prematurely.
City started a little slowly, of course, but put the pedal to the metal when needed. Banking on their squad depth, a record-shattering coach and world class individuals, City finished the season 12 points ahead of second-place Manchester United.
More reinforcements are set to be brought in this season, which would improve City’s chances of retaining the Premier League crown. And while it is exceptionally early to make such assumptions, calling Manchester City an outright favorite would not be too far-fetched.
