Changes at Manchester City bring renewed optimism that Guardiola can climb back to the top – season preview | OneFootball

There’s something in the air around east Manchester, and it is not just the persistent threat of drizzle in an otherwise long, hot summer.

The dark clouds that hung over the Etihad campus for most of last season have been replaced by rays of sunshine and an atmosphere of optimism that Manchester City can reclaim their crown.

While Liverpool’s title win last season was great news for the Reds, and welcomed by most neutrals who believed City’s procession of four in a row was an unhealthy monopoly, it meant Pep Guardiola had failed to win a trophy for only the second time in his illustrious managerial career.

The reasons for failure were multi-faceted and it was apparent that fresh faces and ideas were essential. Rodri’s season-ending injury against Arsenal was a huge disruption, but there were other problems. Both captains from last season, Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne were already showing their age, and perhaps should have been replaced earlier.

Record signing Jack Grealish was a marginal figure last year and has now joined Everton on loan, with more outgoings expected before the end of the window.

For a brief period in June, City looked to be back to their all-conquering best at the FIFA Club World Cup. However, ghosts of the previous season soon reared their head. Their vulnerabilities were exposed as they were unceremoniously dumped out of the tournament in the round of 16 by Al-Hilal.

City were also hampered by a host of defensive issues last season and they have not been completely addressed. John Stones and Nathan Ake can be magnificent but repeated injury problems have plagued them both. Manuel Akanji was imperious in his first season but has not returned to that level in the years since, appearing lackadaisical at times. The contracts of all three are set to expire in the next 24 months, and yet City have not looked to offload any of them this summer.

Ruben Dias is set to extend his deal at the Etihad, although he too was far from his best last time out. Abdukodir Khusanov had a nightmare start in January but the Uzbek bounced back, producing stellar displays against some of the Premier League’s best strikers, despite not sharing a common language with any of his teammates. With his physicality and athleticism, the 21-year-old should feature more prominently.

Josko Gvardiol has been a standout performer, although his minutes may require more careful management in the upcoming campaign. The versatile Croatian has regularly been utilised as a left-back, but Guardiola will finally have a full-time left-back available to him – for the first time in almost four years. Rayan Ait-Nouri has arrived from Wolves, and while a threat going forwards, the Algerian is not as resolute defensively.

Right-back is still a problem. Rico Lewis is a supremely talented footballer but defending is certainly not his best asset. Matheus Nunes was employed as a makeshift right-back towards the end of last season but he can be error-prone and rash.

City’s ageing midfield was also an obstacle last season. 34-year-old De Bruyne has gone, but other thirty-somethings Ilkay Gundogan, Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva remain at the club, with the latter being promoted to captain. Rodri’s return will be massive, although the Ballon D’Or winner will not be fully fit until September at the earliest.

Tijjani Reijnders arrived in June and has looked a revelation so far. The Dutch international has added much-needed athleticism in the middle of the park and operates shrewdly in and around both boxes. Nico Gonzalez also joined the club in January for a significant fee but his role remains unclear.

Guardiola’s squad maintains a wealth of attacking options. Replacing De Bruyne is no easy task but young Frenchman Rayan Cherki has landed with bags of talent and flair. Erling Haaland will score goals by the bucketload if he gets the right service, Omar Marmoush should score more now he has had half a season under his belt, and there are high hopes that Phil Foden will return to his best after a season where he looked burned out, having been the Footballer of the Year a season earlier.

Young wingers Jeremy Doku, Savinho and Oscar Bobb will all be expected to take a step forward in the upcoming campaign.

Personnel changes at the club have not been limited to just players. Guardiola’s coaching staff will have a fresh look after the departure of three assistants. The trio have been replaced by Jurgen Klopp’s former assistant Pep Lijnders, ex-player Kolo Toure and former Liverpool set-piece coach James French.

The reshuffle has continued upstairs with long-time Director of Football Txiki Bergiristain leaving the club. Hugo Viana has taken over the role after seven years as a director at Sporting Lisbon, which feels like a defining moment – the end of one era, the start of another.

There is a feeling around the club that this is a different Manchester City to the one seen in recent years. Rejuvenated, reenergised and ready to reclaim their top spot.

Uncertainty still lurks, however, which was rarely the case at the Etihad in recent times. City’s monopoly on the Premier League ended with Liverpool’s title win, Arsenal have been runners-up three years running, and Chelsea are back in the top four. All three clubs have invested heavily this summer and City may still have to play catch-up.

Guardiola has never entered a season as third favourite for the title, but that is the position he now finds himself in. It will not faze the Catalan maverick. Indeed he is more likely to relish the challenge.

Given his track record, it would not be a shock to see Guardiola guide City back to the top.