Manchester City usher in a new era under the enigmatic Pep Guardiola who is undoubtedly one of the best managers ever to grace the game. The squad will take time to get used to his style of football but from the preseason games, it is evident that the players are enjoying Guardiola's training sessions and are implementing his trademark style.
The players are admiring his coaching methods and have come out and showered some generous praises for their new manager. Man City will become a force to reckon with in the coming years and the best thing that the 45-year-old will bring to the club is the winning mentality and the ability to perform on the biggest of stages which City lacked last season in their semi-final clash against Real Madrid.
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The club needed an overhaul this summer and they have gone out and spend big again this transfer window. The money at his disposal and Pep's managerial acumen is a dangerous combination and the club is expecting a glorious trophy-laden period under the Spaniard. This is Guardiola's biggest test in his career and the presence of other world class managers like Antonio Conte, Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho won't make his job any easier.
City have spent over £100 million this summer with one month remaining to sign at least two more players. A winger was a need of the hour and Leroy Sane provides just what the club is missing. He is an exciting young prospect who has come at a hefty price of £37 million. Gabriel Jesus arrives from Brazil who is one of the biggest talents in world football. Nolito had a tremendous last season at Celta Vigo and it is going to be interesting to see how the manager deploys the forward who arrived at a price of £14 million.
Ilkay Gundogan is one of the buys this summer with Guardiola being his admirer for long. The German will bring much-needed creativity from midfield who was signed for about £20 million which is cheap in this modern footballing world where Paul Pogba costs over £100 million. Marlos Moreno, another talented forward will be signed in the coming days along with John Stones who is said to be the prime target for the citizens.
Though this will be the first season for the team under a new manger, considering the quality of the players and a manger of Guardiola's class, Man City will always be the favourites for the league next season. It depends on how quickly players respond to the new tactics and how well Guardiola settles to life in the Premier League. So let's take a look at the round of fixtures that Man City will go through in the 2016-17 season month by month :
August
Man City kick off the new season against Sunderland who are now managed by David Moyes who has a point to prove after his dismal time at Man United. The next game is an away trip to Stoke who are known for their hostile atmosphere and as a whole, the Potters are difficult to beat at their home ground. Can Guardiola do it on a cold wet night in Stoke has been a question asked by many and the Spaniard will be keen to start his new job on a high.
West Ham are the next visitors to the Etihad who are now emerging as a tough side to beat under Slaven Bilic. The first international break of the season arrives after these three league games in August and Man City would like a strong start to their campaign going into the break, with the citizens given a rather favourable start to the season.
September
The first game of the month is a blockbuster derby against Manchester United not just because of the rivalry but now also because of the two managers, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola who have a history between them during their time in Spain. This game will be the first big test for Guardiola and by beating the rivals, City can put a real statement at the start of the league.
City welcome Bournemouth next who have done well to stay up under the impressive Eddie Howe but won't look like a side that can hurt Man City at Etihad. Next is an away game at Swansea who aren't the strong unit they were a few seasons before and City can inflict some damage to them. Except United, Man City don't look like they will drop points in the first two months of the campaign.
October
City visit White Hart Lane to face Spurs who will look to continue their progress under Mauricio Pochettino and Man City will be out for revenge after getting beaten handsomely last season at the lane. City face Everton next at their home ground who are likely to lose two of their important players in John Stones and Romelu Lukaku this summer which will weaken their side to a great extent.
Another home game against Southampton will be next against whom City have a very good league record. Southampton are a good side but are going to struggle this season because of losing both their best player and an experienced manager in Sadio Mane and Ronald Koeman respectively. West Brom will welcome Guardiola's men next which completes the October games.
Along with Champions League and Cup games, there is a lot of chance for a side like City to slip up against smaller sides and that is why the team must not be complacent in the games against the likes of West Brom who on their day can beat anyone.
November
This month includes easy league games for the Citizens who first welcome new boys, Middlesborough. Boro have signed good players this summer but won't be much of a threat to this City side. Selhurst Park is the next venue for a game against Crystal Palace who have an abysmal record against City. Burnley visit the Etihad next who have done well to bounce back into the Premier League but will probably be involved in a relegation battle throughout the season.
City must win all their games this month to keep the pressure on the other title contenders.
December
This is one of the most important months in English football as it features the highest number of games on account of the festive period. Manchester City have been given tough fixtures in this month which starts with a home game against Chelsea who are going to bounce back after a dismal last season and are a strong team under Antonio Conte.
Next, Man City visit the home of the champions, Leicester who could struggle next season with additional midweek games and it is going to be interesting to see how Ranieri's men can defend their crown.
Watford come calling next which won't be much of an issue. After that, Arsenal visit the Etihad which promises to be a great game between the two sides who probably play the best brand of football in the league. Arsenal too are title contenders next season and City must beat these top sides which they failed to do last campaign. City visit Hull next who probably are going to get relegated and are favourites to finish last in the table.
The Manchester club visits Anfield next which has not proved to be a happy hunting ground for them. Jurgen Klopp did a double against City last season and another great rivalry between the two managers resumes next season. City must lose minimum points this month if they want to challenge for the title come May. These are some horrible fixtures as December proves to be the toughest test in Guardiola's first season at the Etihad.
January
Another tricky month for Guardiola and his men as they first go head to head in the first game of 2017 at home against Burnley which guarantees to be three points for the hosts. City visit Goodison Park which is always a tough place to go and the team has to be on song to beat the Toffees. Spurs come calling next to the Etihad and are going to be a tough opponent who will try to replicate their good form from last season.
The last game of January will be the first visit to West Ham's new ground, the Olympic Stadium, which promises to provide a great atmosphere. City would do very well if they go through this set of fixtures unscathed. Though the start to the season looks easy on paper for the Citizens, mid-season is equally tough which presents a tough test for Guardiola.
February
City welcome Swansea next who once looked threatening during the days of Michael Laudrup but now are not the same side anymore. Bournemouth away too doesn’t look like a fixture that can derail Man City's title hopes. The old rivals Manchester United visit the Etihad next which is looking like a title decider since both the Manchester clubs.
March
Sunderland can be said as Man City's bogey team as City have lost 1-0 in their last four visits to the Stadium of Light. They haven't won on Wearside since 2008 and Guardiola will look to change this dubious record. Stoke visit the Etihad next which appears to be sure shot three points for the hosts.
Liverpool come calling next, and they could be challenging to get into the top four next season. City must win all three games if they want to keep the pressure on the other rivals and with the season coming to an end in a couple of months, every point will be crucial.
April
Another busy month as it features six matches with Arsenal first up. The Gunners will also be in the running for a top spot along with Man City and the Manchester club doesn't have a good record against the side from London at the Emirates but they must look for at least a point.
After that, it's another dreadful away fixture against Chelsea who are going to get better and more organised with each passing day under Conte. City must avoid defeat in these two games if they want to keep a hold on proceedings at the top of the table.
The next three games against Hull, Southampton, Middlesborough and West Brom are all winnable and City must not slip up against these type of sides at any cost. The teams battling for survival are always dangerous and Guardiola's players must not lose focus against such teams. These three games must yield nine points as the league reaches its end in May.
May
City face Palace at home in the first week of May which will be a must win game at this stage of the season. Leicester take on the Citizens next and will find it hard to defend their title but as always will provide tough opposition. A trip to Vicarage Road to face Watford in the last game of the season promised to be an easy one and a definite three points and might be useful if the league goes to the last day of the season to decide it's winner.
Predicted finish: Top 2
Pep Guardiola faces his biggest test of his career and has all the tools at his disposal to challenge for the title in his first season. He has an exciting and a talented squad which has all the qualities to go all the way and win the coveted prize in May. It all depends on how quickly Guardiola adjusts to the demands in England and can work his magic in the Premier League.
