The season just finished was a strange one, with a World Cup in the middle of it and City being shit until March, but still winning it by 5 points. We are enjoying a golden period in the EPL and we should enjoy it while it lasts. Next season should be another cracker.
I know I keep saying this but hear me out! We are due a race of epic proportions, when 3 or 4 teams are neck and neck until the run in, and next season may just be the one. City have won the last three in a row and no team has ever won four. Is that beyond Pep? Definitely not, but it will be difficult to raise the troops after this treble push. Also, City may well lose Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and Laporte. You would also say that the opposition will raise their game significantly.
Liverpool have been awful this season, if they get a few decent signings then they have the resources, manager and experience to push again for the title.
And of course, Man U will be better. Now they have finally found a decent manager and qualified for the UCL, everything looks set for a summer of signings, with Kane and Deccie Rice top of the wanted list. Add to that Weghorst, Maguire and Fred being shown the door, you would have to imagine that they will be 10 or 15 points better off than this season's 75.
Newcastle finished fourth with an excellent 71 points. They are a similar story to Man U. They will use their economic muscle and UCL qualification to make some signings. It is an exciting time for the Toon and I expect next season to be better than this one in terms of points, provided the UCL does not become a distraction.
You would also expect Arsenal to kick on. They have a settled squad which needs an upgrade in a few positions. Will this season's failure weaken or strengthen them? They too are in for Rice apparently. If they were to land him and a better centre-half than Holding, together with another full back, they could well kick on.
And then there is Chelsea. Surely, it can't get any worse than this season? Pep says that he prefers a small squad, because managing unused players is extremely difficult. So, if Pep is saying that then how did they expect Graham Potter to manage a squad of 30 wannabe mega-stars? Now they have secured Pochettino, you would imagine that he will demand a normal squad size. Chelsea for me will be the team to watch this summer. How will Poch manage the squad? Who will get the chop? How will he set them up? They have no European distractions either. Surely, they will be there or thereabouts next season.
And don't forget that every season has a "surprise" team, like Brighton this season or West Ham last. Will there be another next season? Spurs? Only joking, they've no chance!!!
As ever, summer comings and goings will be crucial, but I have a feeling that City's level will drop and their direct rivals' will increase, making next season potentially one for the ages.
As ever, summer comings and goings will be crucial, but I have a feeling that City's level will drop and their direct rivals' will increase, making next season potentially one for the ages.
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| Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports |
Only 2 City players started 28 games or more in the Prem . Squad depth is well ahead of the pack . Next season's top 5 : 1 ) City , 2 ) Arsenal , 3 ) Lfc 4 , ) Man Utd , 5 ) Newcastle .
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