'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Manchester City have been playing at a whole different level as compared to all the other teams in the Premier League for the last two years. Despite an incredibly valiant effort from Liverpool, Pep Guardiola and his team managed to retain the title on the last day of the season in one of the most thrilling title races there has ever been.
With a 6-0 thumping of Watford in the FA Cup final, City completed a domestic treble on Saturday. Though this would have been a phenomenal achievement for any other team, it certainly is not the case for Guardiola and his men. Since the Citizens are on a mission to conquer Europe, any season without the Champions League title can be seen as less than satisfactory.
In fact, just when they seemed set to end their European hoodoo this season, Tottenham Hotspur produced an iconic performance in the UEFA Champions League to end City’s dream. And anyone who has seen Guardiola’s tenacity and work ethic will know that he is eagerly awaiting the start of next season so that he can put this season’s demons to rest.
City’s elimination at the Quarter-final stage of this season’s Champions League could also mean that one can expect them to dive into the transfer market once again this summer in an attempt to bolster their squad. On the other hand, one can also expect a few players to leave the club in the summer in search of playing time more than anything else. In fact, such is the strength of City’s squad that all the players sitting on City’s bench can walk into the starting lineups of most other teams in the League.
However, even without Champions League glory, City has had an incredible 2018-19 campaign as they became the first team ever to win the League Cup, the Premier League and the FA Cup in the same season. Here are five things we have learned about Manchester City over the course of the season:
#5 Manchester City have become the gold standard in the Premier League under Pep Guardiola
Ever since taking charge of Manchester City, the kind of influence that Pep Guardiola has had on the team has been incredible. Over the course of Guardiola's tenure, he has managed to implement his footballing philosophy. More importantly, the players have also bought into his methods and the results are plain to see.
Under the Spaniard's stewardship, City have claimed two Premier League titles in succession and have done so by playing a sparkling brand of football. With close to 200 goals in the last two domestic seasons, City's attacking play has been a joy be behold.
One of the highlights of City's attacking play is that they refuse to change their style regardless of their opposition and more often than not, their performances vindicate their incredible self-belief. And these qualities are precisely what has helped City establish themselves as the gold standard in the Premier League.
#4 Ederson Moraes has proved to be a worthy signing for Manchester City
Two seasons ago, Ederson Moraes made headlines for completing a big money to the Etihad Stadium. Fast forward to the present day, and the Brazilian has proved to be one of the most important signings in the modern era for City. Ever since taking charge of City's goal, he has managed to make that spot his own by using nothing but a no-nonsense goalkeeping approach.
Though CIty like to play out of the back, Ederson seems to understand perfectly well that his topmost priority is to prevent the team from conceding a goal. But this does not mean that the Brazilian is not good on the ball. Over the course of the season, he has proven that he is equally adept with both his feet as well as his hands.
These qualities have made Ederson one of the best shot-stoppers in the league. The Brazilian's exploits this season have proved that City were right to spend the kind of money they did to sign him.
#3 Aymeric Laporte has seamlessly adjusted to life in the Premier League
Though Premier League clubs usually do not spend big during the winter transfer window, Manchester City broke that trend when they splashed the cash to land Aymeric Laporte in January 2018. However, just over a year later, one can clearly see why Guardiola was so desperate to land the French center-back.
For all of City's attacking prowess this season, their biggest improvement was in their defense and the addition of Laporte has contributed immensely to this. Laporte's ability to read the game combined with his pace and safety-first approach to defending have made him an integral part of City's defence. In addition to this, the former Athletic Bilbao man has also proved that he has an eye for goal as he has contributed three goals and three assists over the course of the 2018-19 Premier League season.
#2 Bernardo Silva is on his way to becoming one of the best players in the world
The 2018-19 season will go down as a breakthrough season for Bernardo Silva in Manchester City colors. With Kevin De Bruyne missing most of the season with a series of injuries, the Portuguese playmaker stepped up to the plate and ensured that City did not miss the Belgian too much, if at all.
Silva was seen as a long-term replacement for David Silva and the former’s performances this season have made it easy to see why this is the case. Silva’s diminutive style of play combined with his ability to pick a pass and his eye for goal make him one of the most difficult players for defenders to deal with.
And this has proved to be the case throughout the course of the 2018-19 season. With 13 goals and 13 assists in all competitions this season, Silva has certainly proved his worth and one can expect him to achieve even greater things at City in the years to come.
#1 Manchester City will continue their relentless pursuit of the Champions League next season:
For all their domestic dominance since Guardiola took charge, Manchester City have not been able to establish themselves as a force to reckon with in Europe. In fact, just when they seemed set to end their European hoodoo this season, Tottenham Hotspur produced one of the greatest upsets in the history of the UEFA Champions League to end City’s dream.
However, given the way City have been playing under Guardiola, it is certainly only a matter of time before they manage to get their hands on the Champions League trophy and one can be rest assured that they will not stop until they achieve this goal.
Though they currently face the prospect of being suspended from the Champions League for flouting financial fair play rules, if that does not happen, they will certainly be one of the contenders for the trophy next season and are certainly a team every side in Europe fear.
