Man City transfer demand that sets them up for Premier League title defence

Manchester City could have a fourth new captain in five years when they go for a fourth successive Premier League title.

Vincent Kompany had to be replaced in 2019, David Silva a year later, and Fernandinho in 2022 when Ilkay Gundogan was handed the armband. And while the German may yet stay at the Etihad, his contract is up and he has not yet renewed amid strong interest from Barcelona and others.

There is also uncertainty over the future of Kyle Walker, one of the five-man leadership group at the Etihad who turned disappointment at being left out of Pep Guardiola's starting XI for the Champions League final into a motivational speech for his teammates. Again, with interest from Bayern Munich it would be a sizable hole in the squad to lose Walker.

For all their ability in leading the squad, it does feel like Walker and Gundogan would be missed more for their football than their leadership if they are to go. That is no slight on their captaincy, only to say that there is - quite deliberately - an abundance of it at the Etihad.

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Everyone listens when Kevin De Bruyne talks, Rodri has stepped up to be more vocal in the dressing room this season, and Erling Haaland has made his feelings known with some blunt verdicts to teammates when he has felt it necessary. Ruben Dias is one of the most vocal on the pitch and spoke ahead of the Champions League final about how the club had brought so many leaders together.

"We’ve got five captains but all of us are kind of captains on our own and we can step up when the time is right. It’s a special characteristic our team has," he said.

"The main word goes out to the club because they were able