A Premier League title three-peat is at stake for Manchester City this season, and if they can pull it off, they’ll join some truly exclusive company. Their neighbors Manchester United did it from 1998-2001 and 2006-09, and remain the only side to accomplish this feat in the PL era.
Going back a little, and then flashing back a lot, Liverpool (1981-84), Arsenal (1932-35), and Huddersfield (1923-26) also reside in this most elite of pantheons. Can City, who are now owners of the two highest point totals (100 in ’18-’19, 98 last season) in PL history join them? Let’s recap the summer and try to prognosticate.
Manchester City New Arrivals of Note:
Rodri (Atletico Madrid), Angelino (PSV Eindhoven), Joao Cancelo (Juventus)
City know that if you’re standing still, you’re actually falling behind, and thus, the first domestic treble winners in English history were not complacent this summer. They paid a club record £63 million for midfielder Rodrigo Hernandez, also known as Rodri.
It’s just north of the £60m paid to Leicester City for Riyad Mahrez just last year. Rodri, who signed a five year deal with the club, and he’ll don the #16 shirt with the Sky Blues, is the real deal and his acquisition ensures that City remain the team to beat this year.
As for the £5.3 million re-acquisition of Angelino, he’ll provide some much needed reinforcement of depth in the back line. As will Joao Cancelo, who signed for £27.6 million.
Manchester City Departures of significance:
Vincent Kompany (Anderlecht), Fabian Delph (Everton), Danilo (Juventus)
Kompany is an out and out legend, especially so in Belgium. He will be missed, but time marches on, and Father Time remains undefeated. City should still be okay in the back line, although it is their weakest position group.
That said, the weakness on this City team is still far superior to the biggest strengths on most other teams.
Manchester City Team needs addressed and not addressed:
Perhaps a centre back upgrade (they were reportedly in the running for Leicester City’s Harry Maguire, before United paid a record-breaking £80 million for him) are areas that you would have liked to have seen addressed this summer.
There is only about 24 hours left now to try and get a deal of this sort over the line.
Manchester City Synopsis and overall outlook:
Well, they already have one trophy this season (Community Shield victory over Liverpool this past Sunday) and you can bet they’ll be adding more silverware to the trophy case this season.
Summer Transfer Window Grade: B
One of just two English teams to ever win a treble, the Citizens didn’t take a step back in quality, nor did they stand pat. Man City improved, and that’s bad news for Liverpool and the rest of the league.
Summer Transfer Window Analysis/Season Previews
Arsenal Tottenham City United Liverpool Chelsea
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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