Premier League 2021-22: Is Guardiola’s City Always the Favorite to Win?

Every football enthusiast and a Premier League fanatic knows the threat that is Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. This is a team that has been doing really ever since the Spanish manager, Pep Guardiola, arrived in the club from Bayern Munich, a German heavyweight. Over the last few seasons, Guardiola’s team has dominated the league, winning six out of the nine possible domestic titles in the last three seasons. Only Liverpool has managed to break their domestic superiority.

Such occurrences and dominance of a brilliant City side mean that the odds favour them during the 2021-22 season, even before it resumes. Most Irish bookmakers predict that Manchester City will reclaim the Premier League title once again, and the statistics don’t prove otherwise. Yes, the league for twelve it so months, and it might be too early to cement the idea of Man City winning back to back premier league titles, but on average, all the odds favour them.

For a club to be considered a winner in such an early stage, it has to have some notable superior characteristics that make them stand out. Below are some of the things that make Manchester City the favourite contenders. 

They have an unmatched squad depth

Popularly known as the Cityzens, the team is juggernauts when it comes to the quality of players. I’m you closely analyze the team; you will find out that they have a cover for every position in the field, from the goalkeeper all the way to the strikers. They have more than fifteen top quality, most of whom can start for most clubs globally. Ever seen the players on their bench during a game? Imagine having Kevin De Bruyne running roots in the midfield and creating mind-boggling chances, only to be replaced by Phil Foden, another top-class footballer who can do everything in the field; pass, dribble, create, and even score. 

Another example is their right-back position. They have one of the best in business, Kyle Walker, converting the right-back position. Additionally, they also have another hugely involved player, Joao Cancelo, for the same position. This makes them a force to reckon with; they can keep consistent results even when faced with the challenge of having too many games scheduled for them in a span of a few days. Some pundits have even claimed to produce two strong starting 11s to compete in a different competition and still win!

Their Transfer Plans

As we all know, the transfer window is open, and every club is looking for additional players to strengthen their squad and work on their depth, the recent one being the confirmed Jadon Sancho to Manchester United news. However, even though Manchester City are yet to make any notable signing ever since the window was opened, they have been keenly monitoring the Harry Kane situation at Tottenham as a replacement for Sergio Aguero, a striker. He left on a free transfer to Barcelona after years of success at City. If these rumours are anything to work with, City adding Harry Kane to a team with De Bruyne, Gundogan, Sterling, Jesus, Foden, and Rodri will be a huge boost.

Yes, bearing in mind the importance and contribution of Harry Kane to Tottenham Hotspur, it might be hard for them to release him. To begin with, Harry is a proven goalscorer and team player; He won both the golden boot (for scoring most goals in the league) and the playmaker of the season (for providing most assists in the league). This makes him a vital part of the Spurs team. However, Kane has expressed his desire to win trophies in his career, something that he hasn’t been able to do at Tottenham. With City stopping multiple titles every season, Kane might consider joining the Manchester club to fulfil his dream. 

In addition to the Harry Kane situation, Manchester City has also been eyeing Jack Grealish, another English footballer. He has room the league by storm ever since Aston Villa came back to the Premier League. This might be an easier target for them, bearing in mind that Aston Villa isn’t favourites to make the top four, let alone win the league. Grealish had shown his prowess as an attacker, contributing to the team’s goals and assists in the concluded season before he suffered an injury. 

The two make their move to the Etihad calcifies City’s winning week in week out in the coming season. If the lives happen, you should watch out for the odds; they are being projected to lengthen even further in favour of Manchester City. 

Pep’s Tactical Prowess

Pep has been sending waves all over the footballing world for quite some time now. He is a manager who possesses great footballing knowledge and an unmatched football vision. His style of play and philosophy, the tiki-taka, is a style developed in the cauldron of total football. Barcelona manifested it by Johan Cruyff and his team. 

Every football fan knows about one of the best (if not the best) teams to ever play the sport, Pep’s Barcelona. In addition to having a phenomenal group of players (many of whom had graduated from Barcelona’s popular academy, La Masia), the style of play saw the team dominate domestic and international football for several years. Under Pep, Messi did the unthinkable by scoring a record 91 goals in a calendar year. 

At Manchester City, Pep’s visionary and beautiful footballing has been evident too. When he took over the team, the squad consisted of an ageing group, but he rejuvenated them. With some notable addition to the team and a huge spending spree, Pep turned the situation around and made them an inimitable group with trophies to show for.

Many people criticize him due to his huge spending, but the fact remains that it’s his tactics and professionalism that guarantees City the results. How many teams spend as much and still can’t win titles as he does?

Conclusion

Manchester City is a team to watch out for in the soon-to-start 2021-22 Premier League season. They have a great group of players and managers with a winning mentality.