This weekend will see Manchester City begin their chase for even more history as they begin the Premier League season at Stamford Bridge as they take on Chelsea. Pep Guardiola’s side will be looking to win a fifth consecutive Premier League title this campaign. The champions have already claimed one piece of silverware to begin the new campaign. They beat Manchester United on penalties last weekend to claim the FA Community Shield at Wembley. That victory has set the scene for what may come this season. Here is a 24/25 season preview for Manchester City and what may lie ahead this season.
Incomings
As it stands currently, Manchester City has only added Savinho to Pep Guardiola’s squad this summer. The Brazilian international arrived at the club from Troyes. Savinho had an impressive loan spell at Girona last season as he lit up La Liga. He showed last weekend during his second-half cameo appearance that he could be an exciting addition to the world champions.
There is the potential for Manchester City to add another player or two over the final weeks of the transfer window. A midfielder to provide quality support for Rodri appears to be an area of need. Also, an attacking player to replace the recently departed Julian Alvarez could be on the cards. It has been a quiet summer so far for Manchester City but that could change in the coming weeks.
Outgoings
This summer threatened to be one of upheaval for Manchester City. A host of key players were linked with potential exits at the beginning of the summer. It hasn’t turned out to be the case as Pep Guardiola will have the majority of his squad at his side this season. But there have been several departures so far this summer.
Julian Alvarez has left the world champions for Atletico Madrid. The World Cup winner has left the club after two successful seasons at the club. His departure is the only major departure of a first-team regular for Manchester City.
A host of fringe players have also left the club. Sergio Gomez has left for Real Sociedad on a permanent deal. Taylor Harwood-Bellis was sold to Southampton after spending last season on loan at the Saints. Micah Hamilton was another young player who left Manchester City to join Middlesbrough on a permanent deal.
This summer has also seen a host of young players leave the club for loan spells to further their development. Luke Mbete has joined Northampton for next season. Callum Doyle will spend next season on loan at Norwich City in a bid to further his development. Mahamadou Susoho will spend this season on loan at Peterborough United. The loan move will allow Susoho to play regular first-team football to aid his development.
All told it has been a busy summer for Manchester City. It could get busier yet with the futures of Kalvin Phillips and Joao Cancelo still to be decided.
Will Pep Guardiola’s side start the 24/25 season slowly after a busy summer of internationals?
As Pep Guardiola’s side prepares to begin the new Premier League season this weekend they will do so with a host of key players only having a few weeks of pre-season training behind them. Phil Foden, Kyle Walker and John Stones only began training on Monday, as reported by Simon Bajkowski for Manchester Evening News, after their busy summer with England at the European Championships. Bajkowski also reported that Rodri is set the begin training on Wednesday after his busy summer on international duty with Spain. There is no doubt that a proper break was needed for City’s stars after a busy summer. But with so many players starting their pre-season so late it could see Pep Guardiola’s side potentially start the 24/25 season slowly.
But that hasn’t impeded the world champions in the past. Pep Guardiola’s side traditionally starts new seasons slowly and peaks towards the final stages of the season. The hope is that this season can follow a similar pattern from a Manchester City point of view. City will enter the 24/25 season as favourites to win a fifth consecutive Premier League title. If you fancy a flutter on Pep Guardiola’s side claiming a fifth consecutive Premier League title casinos.com provides a host of betting options for the new season ahead.
Who will be Manchester City’s most important player this season?
The world champions have a host of talented players at their disposal. Phil Foden will be looking to take his game to another level after a dominant 23/24 campaign. He won the Premier League Player of the Season last campaign and also claimed the FWA Men’s Footballer of the Year award. He could have a big role to play again this season. But despite his pedigree, there is one player who looms as City’s most important player once again this season.
Rodri will no doubt once again be City’s most important player during the 24/25 season. He has held that status for the past two seasons now. There is nothing to suggest that this fact will change this season. He is integral to how Pep Guardiola’s side plays and the champions are at their best when Rodri is at his best. At this stage, he looms as once again being City’s most important player this season.
Which Manchester City could break out during the 24/25 season?
There is a host of young players who look set for prominent roles this season. New signing Savinho looks ready to be a prominent member of Pep Guardiola’s squad this season. Nico O’Reilly and James McAtee also look like they will feature prominently this season. But one of Manchester City’s younger players is threatening to take his game to another level this season.
Oscar Bobb has been Manchester City’s best player throughout the pre-season. He starred in City’s four pre-season friendlies in the United States. Bobb also stole the show during City’s FA Community Shield win over Manchester United. The Norwegian international looks set for a bigger role this season. If he can continue his strong pre-season form this campaign he could be the player that breaks out for the world champions this season.
Summary
Pep Guardiola’s side will chase even more history throughout the 24/25 season. They will be on the hunt for a fifth consecutive Premier League title which would see Pep Guardiola’s side further cement their place in history if they were to climb the Premier League mountain once again this season. Teams such as Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham will be hoping to end City’s reign at the top of English football.
The champions will also be looking for success in the UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup this season. With the Champions League expanded this season it could become another hurdle for Manchester City to climb this season. After their heartbreaking exit to Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the competition last season City will be wanting to claim their place at the top of European football once again this season.
The domestic Cup competitions also offer Pep Guardiola’s side another chance of silverware this season. Manchester City will be hoping to go one better in the FA Cup after their defeat to Manchester United in last season’s FA Cup final. The Carabao Cup will likely be an opportunity for City’s fringe players to stake their claim this season.
An exciting 24/25 season awaits for Manchester City. That journey begins this weekend against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Pep Guardiola’s side will be eager to create even more history this season. But the challenges will come thick and fast this season for the champions. How Manchester City navigate them this season, especially early on could dictate whether or not Pep Guardiola’s side create another slice of history this season.
