Pep Guardiola's Manchester City are preparing to defend their Premier League title for the sixth time in six seasons.
City won the 2021/22 title on the final day of the season, coming back from a 2-0 deficit to overcome Aston Villa 3-2 in front of a raucous Etihad Stadium crowd.
Rather than rest on their laurels, City is already planning for next season, with an agreement in place for one of the most exciting strikers in the modern game.
In the 2022/23 season, here's how they might line up.
With Ederson and Zack Steffen comfortable and settled at the Etihad, City's goalkeeper choices are as solid as any in the competition. Signing a third-choice goalkeeper could be on the agenda relatively soon, given Scott Carson is still chugging along in that role, but there haven’t really been any links to suggest a new stopper is on the horizon.
The Premier League champions do a lot worse than chasing Real Madrid-linked Gabriel Slonina, who looks like the future of USMNT goalkeeping and currently plays in MLS for Chicago Fire.
City’s one weak spot for want of a better phrase is at left-back. And by weak, 90min means Joao Cancelo – a world-class player who has turned into an incredible asset in that role, but is actually a right-back by trade.
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Nathan Ake have filled in on occasions, but the former is far more comfortable in midfield – that’s where he plays Ukraine – while the latter is central defender who has slid over on occasion because he can kick with his left peg.
As a result, Brighton’s Marc Cucurella as emerged as a potential target, with the Spaniard hugely impressive during 2021/22. Elsewhere, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte and John Stones look to have the centre-back roles locked down, and Kyle Walker remains a top class right-back.
City’s real strength in depth is in the centre of the park, although plans are afoot to make sure they continue to build rather than stagnate.
Rodri provides a great screen in front of the back four but club captain and backup Fernandinho will depart the club in the summer after many years of great service. That could lead to a move for Leeds’ Kalvin Phillips, who is likely to be far cheaper than West Ham’s Declan Rice – who has also been linked. Ruben Neves of Wolves is also available at a far better price.
Ilkay Gundogan‘s future is uncertain despite his final day heroics, meanwhile, but there’s a more stable base of Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva to call upon. Even Phil Foden can drop in if necessary in more of a quarterback role.
One thing’s for sure, City will invest – chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has already outlined that intention.
Listen now to 90min’s brand new podcast,Talking Transfers*, withScott Saunders*,Graeme Bailey&Toby Cudworth*. This week they discuss whether Sadio Mane will leave Liverpool for Bayern Munich, Manchester United’s pursuit of Benfica striker Darwin Nunez, Newcastle’s plans for Moussa Diaby and Sven Botman & Jorginho’s future at Chelsea.*
A deal in principle has been agreed for Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, with just a few formalities to complete before that move is finalised, while River Plate starlet Julian Alvarez has already signed on the dotted line.
There’s also a chance that outstanding AC Milan forward Rafael Leao could make his way to the Premier League, having helped steer the Rossoneri to their first Serie A title since 2011.
Foden, Jack Grealish, Riyad Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus, and Raheem Sterling are just a few of City's attacking options, but one, if not two, of the latter three will likely leave this summer.
If Guardiola decides to build on the basis of his already steady progress, youthful Cole Palmer could get a look in.
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City won the 2021/22 title on the final day of the season, coming back from a 2-0 deficit to overcome Aston Villa 3-2 in front of a raucous Etihad Stadium crowd.
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