This weekend will see the 24/25 Premier League season begin. Manchester City will travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea on Sunday to begin their chase for an unprecedented fifth consecutive Premier League title. On the pitch, City’s rivals will be hoping to end Pep Guardiola’s sides’ era of dominance. Off the pitch Manchester City’s hearing over 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s finance fair play regulations is dominating headlines. It appears to be the case that everyone is gunning for Manchester City. But if history is a guide that is exactly how the world champions like it.
After winning four consecutive Premier League titles and six in seven seasons there could be a question raised over Manchester City’s motivation for the upcoming season. To continue to achieve the exceptional, the City squad has maintained a high level of motivation over a sustained period. They will need to show that again this season. Manchester City will have to face the challenges posed by Arsenal, Liverpool and potentially the big-spending Manchester United. There is also the threat of Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and possibly Aston Villa looming on the horizon. Pep Guardiola’s side knows the challenges that lie in wait on the pitch during the 24/25 season. They’ve been down that road and emerged triumphent many times before.
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Matters off the pitch also threaten to challenge Manchester City this season. It was revealed earlier this week by Martyn Ziegler for the Times that the hearing over Manchester City’s 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial fair play regulations is set to begin next month. The hearing in front of an independent panel can’t begin soon enough to finally put a full stop on the whole affair. Ziegler has also reported today that there is the possibility that City’s rivals could sue the club. Football finance expert Stefan Borson debunked that idea on X after Ziegler’s new article was released. But that is the narrative that will rumble away in the background as Manchester City chase more history this season.
But this backdrop is one that Pep Guardiola and Manchester City generally thrive in. On the pitch in seasons past they have seen off quality title challengers in Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and more recently Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. The champions know what it takes to stay one step ahead of their rivals on the pitch. As for the off field matters Pep Guardiola’s side has ignored them to achieve unprecedented success. When the Premier League’s charges were announced in February of 2023 City responded by going on to claim the treble. They will be hoping for similar success this campaign as off-field matters are finally dealt with.
On the eve of the 24/25 season, it feels like everyone is gunning for Manchester City. Be it on the pitch or off it. But this backdrop has previously brought the best out of the Pep Guardiola’s team. It wouldn’t be a surprise if by the end of the 24/25 season, it had inspired Manchester City once more.
