Manchester City have lost three of their key treble-winners, but signed four replacements who can take the Blues to a new level.
There is an argument to suggest that the Manchester City squad is weaker than the one that won the Champions League in June.
Josko Gvardiol arrived for £77.5m, and Jeremy Doku signed for £55.5m. Both are exciting talents, yet their inexperience is summed up by the fact that they do not have to be included on the Champions League ‘A List’ squad as they are both 21. Instead, they are on the ‘B List’ designed to allow young players to be called up.The final signing, Matheus Nunes, first caught City’s eye in the Champions League when the Blues ran riot at Sporting two seasons ago.
Especially without Gundogan, Kovacic’s pedigree could prove vital in instilling the mentality needed to cement City’s place as the best club in Europe. Senior players have not shied away from making public their intention to win the Champions League again, as well as adding the Club World Cup to the Super Cup as City look to unlock more titles on the international stage.
Bernardo Silva is another player who will be looked at to step up in De Bruyne’s absence. Bernardo was brilliant in the semi-final home leg against Real Madrid, with the European Cup experts simply unable to get the ball off him or track his mazy runs. That right-wing spot is his to lose after the summer exits.
Instead, Nathan Ake was faultless at left-back against Inter, with Manu Akanji brilliant in the centre and playing the decisive ball for Bernardo into the area to set up Rodri. John Stones won Man of the Match in the final for his role stepping into midfield, making more dribbles than Lionel Messi in a Champions League final.
Despite all the experience within the squad, the options available to Guardiola, and the new signings to make City even better, sometimes you are still at mercy of nerves or a formidable opponent. When Inter were pushing for a leveller in the final, it was Ederson who answered his critics and produced three huge saves to keep the Blues ahead.
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