Manchester City made history once again last season with a record-breaking fourth Premier League title in a row. Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering champions will be the team to stop again in 2024/25.
Manchester City – Premier League Season Preview 2024/25
Last season: 1st
Title odds: 13/10
TFF prediction: 2nd
Manchester City Transfers 2024/25
In: Savinho.
Out: Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Liam Delap, Julian Alvarez, Tommy Doyle, Sergio Gomez, Micah Hamilton, Yan Couto (loan), Kalvin Phillips (loan), Callum Doyle (loan).
Manchester City made yet more history in 2023/24 after becoming the first team in English football history to win four consecutive top-flight titles. It’s been an era of utter dominance from the Citizens, who have been crowned champions in six of the last seven seasons and have achieved a number of unprecedented feats over that period.
Last season, however, Arsenal pushed City close for their crown and those at the Etihad know an improving Gunners team will come again this time around. City, quite rightly, will start as favourites but do not appear as invincible as past campaigns with crucial cogs of the Pep Guardiola regime in Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Bernardo Silva and Ederson ageing or unsettled.
Working towards the weekend! 💪@NathanAke 🩵 pic.twitter.com/nOGuLdLi1P
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 14, 2024
That said, Erling Haaland offers an almost guarantee of a Golden Boot-winning return, Phil Foden found league-leading levels last season, and Rodri might just be the most influential footballer around right now.
Guardiola has opted against a major change-up from his four-in-a-row winners with Savinho’s signing from Troyes the only addition of the summer. Julian Alvarez has moved on to Atletico Madrid and the lack of out-and-out replacements for Haaland and Rodri will be a concern should either be ruled out for an extended period.
However, having averaged 91 points across the last seven seasons, it will take a phenomenal effort from any team to knock the Premier League’s powerhouse from their perch.
Key player: Rodri
Manchester City did not lose a Premier League game with Rodri in the side last season, while losing three of the four (75%) that the Spaniard missed. That statistic is no coincidence with the influence of the midfielder clear.
The best defensive midfielder in the world, bar none, he is integral to Guardiola’s game plan and offers a mix of control and creation that cannot be replaced. Should anything happen to the 28-year-old this season, it is void that will be almost impossible to fill.
Our Euro 2024 champion! 🏆🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/vHkWvUddYY
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 15, 2024
One to watch: Oscar Bobb
Outstanding in pre-season, the 21-year-old’s fractured leg is cruel bad luck. He’s scored twice and provided four assists during the pre-season campaign and impressed with his intricate footwork in advanced areas of the pitch.
A late winner at Newcastle last season underlined his quality in high-pressure situations and the challenge now for the midfielder is to earn Guardiola’s trust on a regular basis once he returns from his setback. He certainly has the talent to do so, though the competition for a first-team place is fierce.
