Premier League 2022/23 Preview: Manchester City

Predicted finish: 1st

Manchester City have won four Premier League titles in the past five years and following the introduction of Erling Haaland, will feel well equipped to challenge at the summit once again.

While winning the Champions League is the focus for both Man City and Pep Guardiola, the team will be determined to once again pip Liverpool and Co. to top spot and add to their impressive Premier League haul in recent seasons.

It has been a summer of adjustment for the Citizens. Guardiola has allowed Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling to depart for London, bringing in the towering Norwegian Erling Haaland as his main source of goals.

The arrival of Erling Haaland presents a challenge to both Guardiola and oppositions across the Premier League. While Sterling and Jesus were both key focal points of City’s tiki-taka, high-pressing style – Haaland’s display in the Community Shield final showed it may take some time for the team’s tactical balance to become attuned.

The traditional No. 9 gives City an entirely new dimension that, in time, the blue half of Manchester should be able to significantly exploit. Kevin De Bruyne will once again be the main focal point in the side and may even feel less pressure, knowing full well the striker he provides the ball to one of the world’s most capable finishers.

City’s other first team arrival expected to have a significant impact is Kalvin Phillips, signed from Leeds United for a handsome fee of 42 million. After starring in the relentless style of Marcelo Bielsa for the past few seasons, Phillips’ integration to the team should be more straightforward for Guardiola than that of Haaland.

The minimum expectation for Man City will be to once again finish top of the table, as Guardiola