Alan Shearer names Premier League side 'right up there' with Manchester City this season

Former Newcastle United and England striker Alan Shearer has suggested that Manchester City are still 'the team to beat' this season after an impressive start to the campaign.

Pep Guardiola's men have won five of their opening seven Premier League matches, without losing so far this campaign. The reigning champions have only dropped points against Newcastle United and Aston Villa.

City and Tottenham Hotspur remain the only unbeaten sides in the top-flight, but it is Arsenal who currently sit top of the table after a strong start to the campaign.

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Shearer has since claimed that Tottenham are 'right up there' with City, but insisted that Guardiola's side are still the favourites for the league title. He also suggested that it has been a 'strange' start to the new campaign.

"It’s been a strange start to this campaign by some of the big clubs, with Liverpool being nowhere near the levels we know they can be," Shearer told BBC.

"Chelsea have been the same, and they have had more upheaval after their change of manager. Manchester United made a really poor start too but they have recovered well, while Tottenham are still unbeaten and are right up there along with Manchester City, who are still the team to beat."

The all-time Premier League top goalscorer went on to claim that City's rivals Liverpool are 'nowhere near the levels' required in the opening stages of the season.

City recorded a 3-0 win over Wolves last weekend, with Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden all getting on the scoresheet. Guardiola's men return to action after the international break against Manchester United on October 2.

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